Basic Information

• About me

  . For as long as I can remember, I have been intrigued by letter forms, especially the ways in which the lettering featured in a child’s book or movie credits complemented the mood or theme. It was not until I was out of college that I discovered the uniqueness of calligraphy – the art of written forms with distinctive penmanship – as well as with the historical background of particular styles. Since then, I have enjoyed doing and teaching calligraphy. As beautifully rendered letter forms can enhance and invigorate texts of all kinds – poetry, testimonials, religious passages, and commendations –I hope that my work bears witness to the transformational power of calligraphy. While – with the relatively recent onset of computer technologies – immeasurable fonts and styles of lettering are available, there remains a spirit, vitality, and energy in calligraphic forms that cannot be replicated. In addition to doing calligraphy – primarily by commission – I have been an active arts advocate and educator. The advocacy piece “Dear Governor Foster” that I wrote in 1996, for example, was a tremendous success in promoting the arts. Certainly the drawings done by my 2nd and 3rd graders contributed to the charm of this accordion-folded piece. Working with children has always been a great joy in my life, and opportunities to create educational programs and exhibits for people of all ages have greatly enhanced my own art. In recent years, I have become more focused on community-based collaborations with other artists – first in 2009, organizing “Harbingers of Hope in Hard Times,” part of a 21-parish commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Great Depression. I researched and wrote in calligraphy quotations by people who lived during the Depression, then recruited area literary/visual artists to create works for the exhibit.To commemorate the events of 09-11, I wrote the name of each victim on a strip of paper and worked with volunteers, firefighters, and other service personnel to hang these “Ribbons of Remembrance” at various sites in 2001, 2002, and 2006. In 2011, I researched and wrote in calligraphy texts and lyrics pertaining to our country’s history. Over 35 area literary/visual artists participated in “National Anthems/Patriots’ Dreams.” In 2013, over 40 literary/visual artists participated in “Local Color,” an exhibit I organized to celebrate the bicentennial of Louisiana. By virtue of these and other experiences in literary/visual arts as well as in research and arts education, my work is truly multi-disciplinary.

• Resume

  Ph.D. – Curriculum & Instruction (LSU); B. A. – Art (Centenary College)
  Art programming & exhibitions: Project director for exhibits at Centenary College,
  The Barnwell Center, and ARTSPACE:
  2009: Harbingers of Hope in Hard Times – part of a 21-parish commemoration of the
  80th anniversary of the Great Depression
  2011: National Anthems / Patriots’ Dreams – A Tribute to the American Spirit
  commemorating 09-11-01
  2013: Local Color – an exhibit commemorating the Louisiana Bicentennial featuring
  artwork by regional literary and visual artists
  2001, 2002, 2006: “Ribbons of Remembrance” - Worked with students, firefighters
  and other service personnel, church and community groups to honor the
  victims of 09-11 by writing their names on strips of paper, then hanging them
  at various sites
  Included in several research publications, including the Geraldine Dodge
  Foundation’s publication A Passion for Teaching.
  Author/illustrator: Trying Your Hand at Calligraphy – A Modified Bookhand (© 2011);
  Features of Creatures/Features of Me (© 2003)
  Grant author and director of art education opportunities for students and artists
  Art education panel facilitator throughout the United States
  Research and public relations experience
  Art education workshop presenter throughout the region and the United States
  Active in community and professional organizations
  Former art & art education faculty member: LSU (Baton Rouge); University of
  Southern Mississippi; Public and private schools throughout Louisiana and
  Arkansas, including the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts.
  Lifetime Louisiana certification K – 12
  Education and program director positions for Shreveport Regional Arts Council’s
  ArtSpace; Illinois Alliance for Arts Education
  Member of Northwest Louisiana Artists Roster and Louisiana Artists, Inc.
  Recipient of numerous professional distinctions and awards. Was one of 32 teachers
  from throughout the United States selected by the Robert
  Rauschenberg Foundation to be honored in Washington, D.C., for
  The Power of Art.