Art & Culture

When it comes to the arts, there are countless ways that people connect with and express themselves through. These mediums allow them through. These mediums allow them to show the world what impassions them. Shreveport native Edward Al-them. Shreveport native Edward Allen is one of those individuals who len is one of those individuals who has not only immersed himself in the freedom of artistic expression but has made a career of guiding others towards that same freedom. Though he had always enjoyed draw-Though he had always enjoyed draw ing in his younger days, it was not until his time at Grambling State University that he realized that teaching the arts was his calling. Allen initially enrolled at the well-known HBCU as an English major with goals of becoming an English teacher. His advisor suggested choosing art as a mi-sor suggested choosing art as a minor. Allen took a chance and began to look at art as a minor. He found everything about it so interesting everything about it so interesting that he changed his major. Graduating in 1964 with a Bachelor of Sci-ating in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science in Art Education, Allen began the search for his first teaching job. Fate had other plans. His first teaching job was right at Grambling State University. Having graduated early and being a star student at GSU, Allen was asked to teach an art class for a professor that left mid semester. He took the position and completed the year as the teacher of the class. the year as the teacher of the class. As the summer went on, he waited to hear back from various school systems including Caddo Parish. Before the summer was over, he had accepted a teaching position in Amarillo, TX where he spent the next 5 years. TX where he spent the next 5 years. The passing of his mother and other family obligations brought Allen back to Shreveport in 1969. Though back to Shreveport in 1969. Though the return home was a somber one, the return home was a somber one, his coming home meant the begin-his coming home meant the beginning of a legacy that would touch numerous lives. Allen’s first teaching job once returning to Shreveport was in 1969 at Valencia Junior-Senior High School

that Edward Allen would receive a call to join the faculty. that Edward Allen would receive a call to join the faculty. In 1980, he said goodbye to the Yellowjacket hallways and In 1980, he said goodbye to the Yellowjacket hallways and began his new journey at Caddo Magnet High School. began his new journey at Caddo Magnet High School. He remained a staple at Magnet High from the day their He remained a staple at Magnet High from the day their doors opened until he retired in 2003. During his time at doors opened until he retired in 2003. During his time at Magnet High, he was an art teacher as well as the director Magnet High, he was an art teacher as well as the director of the Magnet Mannequins. The Magnet Mannequins are of the Magnet Mannequins. The Magnet Mannequins are a teen modeling group of girls and boys interested in pur-a teen modeling group of girls and boys interested in pur suing a career in modeling. This dreamchild was inspired by Allen’s work outside of the classroom with the Edward Allen Modeling Clinic. The modeling clinic, which offers Allen Modeling Clinic. The modeling clinic, which offers in Caddo Parish. He remained there until the end of the the same advantages, is geared towards adult men and school year when Caddo Parish began integrating public school year when Caddo Parish began integrating public women. Allen has also been a vital part of The Top Ladies women. Allen has also been a vital part of The Top Ladies schools. This event gave Allen the opportunity to reach of Distinction’s Annual Beautillion Ball. The Beautillion even more students through the arts. He was offered a Ball is like a traditional cotillion ball for young ladies, but position teaching at C.E. Byrd High School where he re-position teaching at C.E. Byrd High School where he re- is focused on presenting the intelligence and talents of is focused on presenting the intelligence and talents of mained for the next ten years. While teaching at Byrd, young men in the area. Allen serves as a consultant as well young men in the area. Allen serves as a consultant as well he had the chance to expose SB’s own Byron May to the the set designer for the event. He also teaches the beaus the set designer for the event. He also teaches the beaus world of artistic expression. While at Byrd, Allen decided how to waltz in preparation for their dances with their how to waltz in preparation for their dances with their to take some time off to pursue his master’s degree from to take some time off to pursue his master’s degree from Belles and the special dance with their mothers. Belles and the special dance with their mothers. Northwestern State University in 1980. Edward Allen has been a driving force in the ShreveOver the years, Allen’s amazing abilities in the world of art port-Bossier art community for decades and continues to port-Bossier art community for decades and continues to education never stopped growing. His intense passion for spread his knowledge to those eager to learn. He is cur-spread his knowledge to those eager to learn. He is curhelping young people develop positive images of them- rently teaching art at Southern University in Shreveport rently teaching art at Southern University in Shreveport selves didn’t go unnoticed. When Caddo Parish decided and enjoying every moment of teaching others the beauty and enjoying every moment of teaching others the beauty to construct a high school with the best and brightest of the art world. Shreveport-Bossier is fortunate to have of the art world. Shreveport-Bossier is fortunate to have teachers, administrators, and students it was no surprise this man continuing to contribute to its art and culture. this man continuing to contribute to its art and culture.