Issuu

2024–2025

ANNUAL REPORT

2024–2025

ANNUAL REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

8.........................EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S LETTER 10 ��BOARD RECOGNITION 12 ��BY THE NUMBERS 16 ��CONTRIBUTIONS 18 ��AWARDS & RECOGNITION 20 ��EXHIBITIONS 32 �� PROGRAMS 42 ��COLLECTIONS 46 �� PARTNERS & SPONSORS 49 �� STAFF & BOARDS

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On the cover and left: Artworks featured in the exhibition In a New Light: American Impressionism 1870–1940, Works from the Bank of America Collection.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S LETTER

This past year at the LSU Museum of Art was defined by remarkable energy, creativity, and connection. Together with our boards, staff, partners, Visionary Circle, and members, we shared exhibitions, programs, and moments that bridged art and ideas, the university and the community. We opened with Cherished: The Art of Clementine Hunter, celebrating the life and work of Louisiana’s beloved selftaught painter. Drawing from museum collections, private lenders, and Hunter’s descendants, the exhibition offered an intimate glimpse into her world. Two exhibitions drew our highest post-pandemic attendance: In a New Light: American Impressionism, 1870–1940 and The Marvel of Old Masters: Rembrandt, Goya, and Dürer. Alongside Southern Reflections and Golden Legacy: Original Art from 80 Years Mark Tullos of Golden Books, these shows engaged audiences across generations. We also presented In Focus: Artwork by LSU Faculty, the first such survey in over a decade. To close the fiscal year, the museum opened Carved & Crafted: The Art of Letterpress, an exploration of the centuries-old printing process through the work of Jim Sherraden, artistmusician Jon Langford, and Hatch Show Print, a renowned Nashville-based atelier. Our education and outreach programs reached farther than ever. With a $240,000 Art Bridges grant awarded in 2023–24, our Access for All initiative grew dramatically, providing free admission days, transportation, and guided tours for thousands. Education also expanded through new partnerships with LSU Vet Med, launching the monthly Art Break wellness series; mentoring the LSU FutureEx Youth Student Organization for its inaugural Student Film Festival; and partnering with LSU departments for Free First Sundays, including Textiles and Apparel Design, MFA Ceramics, School of Architecture, Global Engagement, and Veterinary Medicine. Collaborations with LSU faculty and students produced fresh research, innovative installations, and new digital content that reached audiences both in the galleries and online. In the fall, we successfully completed our American Alliance of Museums re-accreditation, reaffirming our commitment to the highest professional standards. This rigorous review strengthened our operations, policies, and vision, and we are proud to continue as one of fewer than 4% of museums nationwide to hold this distinction. For the first time in our 62-year history, the Museum’s Advisory Board and Friends Board convened for a joint annual planning retreat, laying a shared foundation for future growth. We also grew our permanent collection, adding significant works in contemporary ceramics and historic decorative arts, and expanded collections storage by one-third. Looking back, I am deeply grateful for every visitor, partner, and supporter whose contributions make this museum thrive. You are at the heart of our success, and I look forward to the creative possibilities the year ahead will bring. 8

MISSION The LSU Museum of Art seeks to enrich and inspire through collections, exhibitions, conservation, and education serving as a cultural and intellectual resource for the University, Baton Rouge, and beyond.

VISION To invigorate, inspire, and educate the community of Baton Rouge through the arts. 9

BOARD RECOGNITION

THANK YOU: ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR BEN JEFFERS

Ben Jeffers

Ben Jeffers has long stood as a pillar of civic leadership, public service, and cultural commitment in Louisiana. A graduate of Southern University with a degree in Business, he forged a path across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, serving as Personnel Administrator for Baton Rouge; Acting Director of New Orleans Charity Hospital; Chief of Staff to Governor Edwin Edwards; and Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under President Carter and member of the Louisiana Tax Commission under Gov. John Bell Edwards. Jeffers also published the Lake Charles Times and served in the U.S. Marine Corps. As the first African‑American Chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party, and a dedicated member of the Democratic National Committee Executive Committee, his legacy in politics and governance spans over four decades.

Beyond his political accolades, Mr. Jeffers has been deeply engaged in the cultural sphere—leading with distinction as President of the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, Chair of the Downtown Development District, and board member of both the Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce and Volunteers of America. Alongside his wife Salomia, he has also amassed and shared one of Baton Rouge’s most vital collections of African American art, generously contributing to the Museum’s 2020 Living with Art: Selections from Baton Rouge Collections exhibition (pictured right). As outgoing Chair of the LSU Museum of Art’s Advisory Board, Ben Jeffers has guided the institution with vision, grace, and unwavering dedication. His leadership has enriched the Museum’s mission and strengthened its bonds with the community. We express our heartfelt gratitude for his years of thoughtful service, thoughtful stewardship, and generous spirit. 10

⊲ BOARD RETREAT AND STRATEGIC PLANNING In September 2024, the LSU Museum of Art’s Advisory Board and Friends Board came together for a joint retreat at the LSU Rural Life Museum. Facilitated by Sylvia Matiko of A Different View consulting (Nashville, TN), the day-long session offered an opportunity to reflect on the museum’s 20-year history while engaging in meaningful discussions about future opportunities and challenges. The retreat provided a strong foundation for developing a new five-year strategic plan to guide the museum’s next phase of growth. Moving forward, the Boards will continue to convene annually to support and advance this planning process, ensuring that the museum remains responsive, innovative, and well-positioned for the future.

BY THE NUMBERS CHAIR'S LETTER

CONTRIBUTIONS BREAKDOWN

Interested in learning more about how your contributions can make a difference? Please contact Fairleigh Cook Jackson, Director of Development, at fjackson@lsufoundation.org. The LSU Museum of Art thrives because of the generosity and vision of our supporters. Your donations— whether through gifts of art, planned giving, or legacy contributions—play a vital role in shaping our permanent collection and ensuring we remain a beacon of creativity and cultural education. Join us in preserving and growing the legacy of art at the LSU Museum of Art—your support truly makes a difference.

218

LSU Museum of Art Memberships

4,072 Attended free museum experiences

1,370

Artworks made through educational programs

21,834 People visited the museum from July 2024–June 2025

>66,000 Unique Visitors to the LSUMOA Website Online

creating IMPACT 2

Major Facility Upgrades and Expansions

Diverse exhibitions displayed at the museum

24,756

Followers on Facebook, Instagram, & X

4,155 Students from Pre-K – College visited the museum

Free programs including artist talks and more

⊲ MAJOR STORAGE UPGRADE

CONTRIBUTIONS CHAIR'S LETTER

In March 2025, the LSU Museum of Art unveiled a transformative upgrade to its 4,000-squarefoot art storage facility, a project made possible through the generosity of Winifred and Kevin P. Reilly and the expertise of Space Savor Storage Systems. Completed in just one month, the redesign expanded storage capacity by nearly one-third while introducing high-density mobile shelving, vertical racks, rolling cabinets, and archival-grade furnishings to meet the highest standards of conservation. The project also launched a new cloud-based collections management system to streamline processes and improve access, with future plans to make selected records available to the public online. These improvements strengthened longterm preservation efforts and contributed to the museum’s successful reaccreditation by the American Alliance of Museums.

⊲ THE CARY SAURAGE OBJECT LAB Alongside storage upgrades, the museum celebrated the opening of the Cary Saurage Object Lab, an innovative gallery and smart classroom created through the generous support of Cary Saurage. Located adjacent to the collection’s storage, the lab provides a new academic resource for faculty and students to study artworks not currently on display. Faculty can select up to 20 works—ranging from prints and photographs to ceramics and decorative arts—for close study, supported by curatorial staff and the museum’s new digital catalog. Fully equipped with modern technology and seating for up to 20 students, the Object Lab fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and deeper engagement with the collection. Together, these advancements elevated the museum’s capacity to preserve, study, and share its holdings—ensuring the LSU Museum of Art continues to serve as a vital cultural and educational resource for generations to come. 16

“

As a board member, I see every day how much the LSU Museum of Art adds to our community; it sparks creativity, brings people together, and keeps culture alive right here at home. When we step up as supporters, especially financially, we make it possible to keep the amazing exhibits, programs, and learning opportunities going strong. Having a resource like this in our own backyard is truly special and continued support is what makes it all possible.

–Yvette Marsh

Advisory Board Member; Board Chair (beginning Fall 2025); Visionary Circle member

GEAUX SEE ART thank you for your support!

“

We have been enthusiastic long-time supporters of the Museum, since we moved to Baton Rouge nearly 50 years ago. A University art museum serves a dual purpose, to support the intellectual inquiries of the students and staff of the university but also to serve the community at large, as a cultural and educational resource. It has been very rewarding to watch the museum grow to fulfill these dual functions.

–Bob & Linda Bowsher

Longtime supporters; Visionary Circle members (Bob Bowsher also served on the Friends Board) 17

⊲ SEMC PUBLICATION AWARDS

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

The LSU Museum of Art received awards in the 2024 Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC) Exhibition and Publication Competitions. In 2024, the LSU Museum of Art received top honors in the Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC) Publication Design Competition. The museum’s Art Talk newsletter earned a Gold Award in the Magazines and Newsletters category, as well as the prestigious Best in Show prize, while the Annual Report received a Gold Award in the Annual Reports category. Both publications were designed by LSU Museum of Art Marketing and Communications Specialist Sarah Amacker.

Printed quarterly, the Art Talk highlights exhibitions, programs, community initiatives, and museum news, reaching members and the public alike. The Annual Report documents the past year’s exhibitions, programs, and accomplishments, underscoring the museum’s impact and future vision. The 2024 SEMC competition, which drew a record number of applicants, recognized excellence in museum publications across the Southeast. The LSU Museum of Art’s awards reflected both the high standards of the field and the museum’s commitment to design, scholarship, and community engagement.

⊲ RE-ACCREDITATION RECEIVED BY THE AMERICAN ALLIANCE OF MUSEUMS In March 2025, the LSU Museum of Art achieved re-accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition for museums in the United States. This rigorous process—completed once every ten years—affirmed the museum’s commitment to excellence, accountability, and professional standards, placing it among fewer than 4% of museums nationwide with this distinction. The re-accreditation process provided an opportunity for reflection and growth, reinforcing the museum’s mission to engage, educate, and connect with its communities through art. It also highlighted the museum’s role as an essential academic and cultural resource for LSU and the region. This recognition capped a year of significant accomplishments, including the continuation of the Access for All program supported by a $240,000 Art Bridges Foundation grant, the expansion of collections storage, and the presentation of major exhibitions such as In a New Light: American Impressionism, 1870–1940, Works from the Bank of America Collection.

EXHIBITIONS

Cherished: The Art of Clementine Hunter

EXHIBITIONS

July 30–October 23, 2024 Thank you to the Graves family of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers for generously loaning paintings and Taylor Porter Law Firm for sponsorship. Research, including an oral history project, was supported by grants from the Traditional Fine Arts Organization, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, and the Louisiana Division of the Arts, with additional loans from the LSU Rural Life Museum and the Alexandria Museum of Art. Curated by Michelle Schulte, LSUMOA Chief Curator.

With over forty objects drawn from the Graves Family private collection and three LSU entities, the LSU Museum of Art, the LSU Rural Life Museum, and the Alexandria Museum of Art, this exhibition provided a glimpse into the life of one of Louisiana’s most renowned artists. Hunter’s paintings are a visual diary. She used art as a vehicle to preserve not only her own personal memories and feelings, but also the scenes and activities of everyday life on an evolving Southern plantation. Cherished explored many of Hunter’s most repeated patterns, subjects, and motifs— brightly colored zinnias, church scenes, and women picking cotton—bringing together multiple examples to highlight the subtle variations found in individual compositions. Each artwork embodies the artist’s unique style, celebrating her love of community, tradition, and family. 22

Southern Reflections: Art by Kathryn Keller and Shirley Rabé Masinter September 12, 2024–March 23, 2025 Curated by Michelle Schulte, LSUMOA Chief Curator

Southern Reflections paired Louisiana painters Kathryn Keller and Shirley Rabé Masinter, both accomplished in oil and watercolor yet distinct in vision. Keller’s impressionistic works capture pastoral landscapes with loose, fluid brushstrokes and a muted, earthy palette, often painted directly in nature to convey its quiet splendor. In contrast, Rabé Masinter’s photorealistic canvases depict the layered textures of New Orleans, transforming urban grit into striking compositions that reflected the authenticity and spirit of the city. Together, their works revealed two very different but equally powerful ways of seeing and reflecting Louisiana’s environment.

In a New Light: American Impressionism 1870– 1940, Works from the Bank of America Collection October 18, 2024–March 23, 2025

EXHIBITIONS

This exhibition was made possible through the Bank of America Art in our Communities® program.

This exhibition surveyed American Impressionism across its precursors, contemporaries, and successors. In a New Light featured works by more than 75 artists, tracing the movement’s development in the United States and the rise of a distinctly American style. Positioned between the Hudson River School and emerging modernist trends, the show highlighted how artists reinterpreted landscape painting and reflected America’s shifting mindset from the mid-nineteenth to early-twentieth centuries. Focusing on regional artists’ colonies, it revealed how painters captured rural, maritime, and urban life with brisk brushstrokes, vibrant color, and atmospheric effects.

Rembrandt, Goya, and Dürer: The Marvel of Old Masters October 31, 2024–February 2, 2025

Curated by Leigh Hendry and organized by Carole Sorell, The Marvel of Old Masters was generously loaned by the Park West Foundation.

This exhibition showcased over 60 engravings, etchings, and woodcuts by three of history’s most renowned printmakers: Rembrandt van Rijn, Francisco Goya, and Albrecht Dürer. Spanning 300 years of masterful printmaking, this exhibit provides a rare opportunity to view these timeless works up close. This exhibition not only highlighted the technical skill and vision of these three artists but also explores the shared thread of excellence that connects them across centuries. Also on view alongside this exhibition was The Marvel of Old Masters: Visionary Landscapes (2020) by Brad MacDonald, an interactive work that allows visitors to virtually explore famous paintings transformed into digital landscapes; and etchings with aquatint by LSU undergraduate printmaking students under the guidance of Professor Leslie Koptcho. 25

Golden Legacy: Original Art from 80 Years of Golden Books February 27–May 25, 2025

EXHIBITIONS

Organized by the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, Abilene, Texas. This exhibition is also supported by a generous grant from the Pennington Family Foundation.

This exhibition presented sixty original illustrations from Little Golden Books, celebrating the beloved series that has inspired generations since its 1942 debut. Created during World War II to make beautifully illustrated books affordable for millions of families, the series brought together a remarkable group of artists — from European émigrés like Garth Williams and Feodor Rojankovsky to Disney alumni such as Mary Blair and Gustaf Tenggren, alongside American talents like Richard Scarry and Eloise Wilkin. Highlighting both historic and contemporary contributors, including Dan Yaccarino, the exhibition traces the enduring legacy of Little Golden Books in shaping children’s love for reading and art. 26

In Focus: Artwork by LSU Faculty April 24–August 3, 2025 Curated by Michelle Schulte, LSUMOA Chief Curator. Thank you to Donald J. Boutté and Michael D. Robinson for supporting this exhibition. Additional support from the LSU School of Art, Alfred C. Glassell Exhibition Endowment.

The exhibition featured works by LSU School of Art faculty including Ed Smith, Kelli Scott Kelley, Johanna Warwick, Jeremiah Ariaz, Denyce Celentano, Scott Andresen, Loren Schwerd, Michaelene Walsh, Kristine Thompson, Lauren Graciela Cardenás, Andrew Shurtz, Courtney Barr, Derick Ostrenko, Leslie Koptcho, Lynne Joddrell Baggett, and Luisa Fernanda Restrepo Pérez. It also included a special presentation by LSU Professor Emeritus Edward Pramuk; contributions from The XYZ Collective—Brendan Harmon (LSU), Hye Yeon Nam (New Jersey Institute of Technology), Annicia Streete (LSU), and Nicholas Serrano (University of Florida); and work by LSU Assistant Professor-Professional Practice William Maxen. Additionally, The Pen Test, a collaborative project by Derick Ostrenko, Jesse Allison, and Vincent Cellucci of TU Delft Library, was featured. 27

Carved & Crafted: The Art of Letterpress June 12–September 21, 2025

The LSU Museum of Art thanks artwork lenders: Hatch Show Print and LeMieux Galleries of New Orleans.

EXHIBITIONS

Curated by Michelle Schulte, LSUMOA Chief Curator This exhibition highlighted the enduring artistry of letterpress and woodblock printing through the work of Jim Sherraden, artist-musician Jon Langford, and the legendary Hatch Show Print of Nashville. Featuring historic poster restrikes, early prints, and recent collaborations, the exhibition celebrated craftsmanship rooted in tradition at a time when industrial and digital technologies dominate printmaking. Sherraden, Langford, and longtime Hatch manager Celene Aubry, along with generations of designers and printers trained at the shop, continue to preserve and advance this centuries-old practice, honoring both its legacy and its place in contemporary art. Special thanks to LSU College Art + Design Assistant Professor Lauren Cardenás and her printmaking class for creating prints that were also on view in this exhibition.

Ceramics Gallery Works on Paper Gallery Updated annually with works from the permanent collection Curated by Michelle Schulte, LSUMOA Chief Curator

The LSU Museum of Art refreshed two of its permanent collection galleries, offering visitors new perspectives on the breadth and depth of its holdings. The Ceramics Gallery was reinstalled to showcase a wider range of contemporary and historic works, reflecting both regional traditions and global influences in clay. The Works on Paper Gallery was updated with rotating selections from the permanent collection, featuring prints, drawings, and paper works that highlight the museum’s strength in these areas. Together, these gallery updates provided dynamic encounters with the collection and ensured that visitors experienced both familiar favorites and rarely seen works.

European Art & Artists Gallery Updated annually with works from the permanent collection

EXHIBITIONS

Curated by Michelle Schulte, LSUMOA Chief Curator

The LSU Museum of Art was proud to open its newly installed European Art & Artists Gallery in 2025. This gallery showcases European works from the museum’s permanent collection presented salon-style, offering a rich and immersive experience. Highlights include striking Venetian paintings and Nicolas de Largillière’s portraits of Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, and Élisabeth Charlotte d’Orléans, on loan from The Charles Schwing Collection. Also featured are an untitled portrait by Pierre Gobert and Allegory of Africa from the Circle of Francesco Solimena, generously lent by Jeremy and Lindsay Simien. We are grateful for their support in bringing these remarkable works to Baton Rouge—visit today to experience this vibrant new gallery. 30

Confluence by Jamey Grimes Installed June 2025 (currently on view) Curated by Michelle Schulte, LSUMOA Chief Curator. This project was funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Louisiana Division of the Arts.

In June 2025, the LSU Museum of Art presented Confluence, an immersive sculptural installation by Alabama artist Jamey Grimes. Suspended overhead, the work reimagined the Mississippi River flowing through Baton Rouge upside down, transforming the gallery into a space of reflection on the layered tensions between humanity and nature. Funded in part by South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Confluence invited visitors to consider their evolving relationship with one of the region’s most powerful and unpredictable forces.

PROGRAMS

⊲ LSU MUSEUM OF ART AND LSU VET MED COLLABORATE

EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS

In 2025, the LSU Museum of Art launched a new partnership with the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine to bring art and wellness experiences to broader audiences. Beginning in January, the monthly Art Break for All series invited Vet Med students, residents, staff, and faculty to pause for an hour of creative expression, offering much-needed balance amid the demands of veterinary training and practice. Designed by LSU Museum of Art Educator and Public Programs Manager Callie Smith in collaboration with Vet Med’s Wellbeing and Communications teams, the program was enthusiastically embraced by the campus community.

“

Wellbeing initiatives like this program create an environment where individuals can recharge, find joy in creativity, and build deeper connections with others in the veterinary community. It provides a muchneeded outlet for self-expression and relaxation.

–Kayla Baudoin

Wellbeing Manager LSU Vet Med

The partnership also extended into the museum’s Access for All event in April, where student leaders from LSU Vet Med’s Raptor Rehabilitation program introduced visitors to live bird ambassadors alongside art activities inspired by the animal characters of Golden Books. Together, these initiatives highlighted the power of creativity and collaboration in supporting wellness, education, and community connection. 34

⊲ PARTNER SPOTLIGHT In October 2024, the LSU Museum of Art partnered with the LSU Global Community Center (pictured right) to host an Access for All event welcoming international students, faculty, and families to the museum and downtown Baton Rouge. With support from the Art Bridges Foundation, transportation was provided to overcome limited transit barriers. The response was overwhelming—registration filled immediately with a waitlist of more than 70 people. Daniela Chu-Rodriguez, Director of International Student Engagement, emphasized the importance of programs that include not only students, but also their partners and children. Building on this success, the museum is exploring ways to sustain the partnership. Beyond campus, the museum also expanded collaborations with the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge and BREC (pictured below). With the Arts Council and artist Mike Weary, it piloted a new field trip model that split large student groups between both sites, while with BREC it co-hosted a public workshop that introduced new audiences and pathways for engagement.

These efforts reflect a guiding principle: museums thrive when shaped by the communities they serve. 35

MAKING ART ACCESSIBLE TO THE COMMUNITY

ACCESS FOR ALL INITIATIVE

Last year, the LSU Museum of Art was awarded $240,000 by the Art Bridges Foundation through its national Access for All initiative, a $40 million effort involving 64 museums across 36 states and Puerto Rico. This support, first announced in our previous annual report, laid the foundation for free admission days, extended hours, and creative programming that reduce barriers and expand access to the arts. Over the past year, we have continued to build on this funding to grow and diversify our programs. With ongoing support from Art Bridges, the museum has welcomed more families, school groups, and community members into its galleries, expanded partnerships, and introduced new opportunities for hands-on artmaking and live performance. These efforts have strengthened the museum’s role as a cultural hub in downtown Baton Rouge—ensuring art remains accessible, inspiring, and connected to the community it serves. See on these two pages a list of programs developed. Access for All Day: Greater Baton Rouge Kids’ Orchestra This program offered the community free admission to the museum, live music, and interactive art activities. The program featured a performance by Kids’ Orchestra followed by a participatory community drum circle.

Access for All Day: Clementine Hunter The program featured a Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra performance, a guided tour of Cherished: The Art of Clementine Hunter, and hands-on creative activities like making flower fans.

Access for All Day: Stitch by Stitch, Vote by Vote This program celebrated the Gee’s Bend quilters through hands-on textile activities, with voter registration resources provided by the League of Women Voters and the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, and research insights shared by LSU’s Department of Textiles, Apparel, and Merchandising. Access for All Day: Ceramics This program showcased the museum’s ceramics collection with live demonstrations and hands-on activities. Visitors watched LSU artist Pete Froehlich at the pottery wheel, joined Richard Boehnke in clay sculpting, and explored the art of clay through making.

Access for All Day: Printmaking This program invited visitors to explore printmaking techniques, create original prints, and attend the Southern Reflections panel discussion with artist Kathryn Keller, gallery co-owner Christy Wood, and LSU Museum of Art Chief Curator Michelle Schulte. Access for All Day: Santa's Art Studio This program was a festive afternoon of holiday creativity. Visitors designed Rudolph’s new sled, crafted mini-masterpiece ornaments, and enjoyed seasonal surprises in a fun, art-filled celebration at the museum. Access for All Day: The Art of Mini-Furniture Visitors explored the museum’s newly opened exhibition of antique furniture from the permanent collection. Guests discovered the history of 19th-century miniature furniture used by traveling salesmen and created their own decorative mini chairs in a hands-on activity.

Access for All Day: Black History Month This program highlighted the creativity and impact of Black artists with artmaking, a live painting by Mike Weary, a choir performance by AJG Experience, and a Seek & Find gallery guide highlighting works by Black artists on view.

Access for All Day: Golden Books Animals This program celebrated the animal characters of Little Golden Books with clay artmaking, a Wild Style Fashion Show, and visits from LSU’s Raptor Rehabilitation bird ambassadors. Access for All Day: The Art of Children's Books This program celebrated storytelling with bookmaking, storytime, and meet-and-greets with local authors and illustrators inspired by beloved Little Golden Books characters. Access for All Day: Studio Play This program celebrated In Focus: Artwork by LSU Faculty with hands-on activities including embossed metal charms, a gallery scavenger hunt, and studio-inspired artmaking.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

LEARNING THROUGH PROGRAMMING The museum hosted a wide range of tours and lectures that invited the public to engage with art and ideas in meaningful ways. These programs fostered dialogue, learning, and deeper appreciation for the arts. Highlights included Is This a Real Hunter? How the FBI Solved the Clementine Hunter Forgery Case lecture by retired FBI Special Agent Randy Deaton, a public lecture by LSUMOA Educator and Public Programs Manager Callie Smith at the Main Library on Goodwood in connection with Cherished: The Art of Clementine Hunter. Additional programs featured a panel discussion on Southern Reflections with artist Kathryn Keller, gallery co-owner Christy Wood, and LSUMOA Chief Curator Michelle Schulte; and curator-led tours for Merrill Lynch employees during In a New Light: American Impressionism, 1870–1940, Works from the Bank of America Collection.

GROUP TOURS The LSU Museum of Art welcomed 1,354 participants through guided group tours, including school classes and general visitors, creating meaningful opportunities to learn and connect with art.

MEMBER-CURATOR GALLERY TALKS The museum launched a new program of member-only curator gallery talks, offering exclusive opportunities for members to engage directly with curators and explore exhibitions in greater depth. Designed to enrich the member experience, these talks provided behind-thescenes perspectives and fostered closer connections to the art on view.

DENISE GALLAGHER LECTURE & WORKSHOP As part of Golden Legacy: 80 Years of Golden Books, author and illustrator Denise Gallagher led a tour, lecture, and workshop exploring the impact of Little Golden Books on children’s literature. Participants gained inspiration from the exhibition, creative prompts, and tips on writing and illustrating for young readers.

VIRTUAL IN A NEW LIGHT LECTURE The museum hosted a virtual program on In a New Light: American Impressionism, 1870–1940, Works from the Bank of America Collection, featuring Chief Curator Michelle Schulte in conversation with Bank of America Art Collection Manager Mary Edith Alexander and Art Program Curator Jennifer Brown. The discussion offered audiences deeper insight into the exhibition. 39

LSU PRINTMAKING The LSU Museum of Art collaborated with undergraduate printmaking students to create new works inspired by Rembrandt, Goya, and Dürer: The Marvel of Old Masters. Under the guidance of Professor Leslie Koptcho, students reinterpreted historic prints through contemporary themes, using etching with aquatint to explore subjects ranging from identity and social anxiety to playful reimaginings of classic compositions. Their finished works were exhibited alongside the exhibition, highlighting the connections between past and present in the art of printmaking.

LSU PARTNERSHIPS

LSU FUTURE EX YOUTH In partnership with LSU student organization Future EX Youth, the museum supported the first student-led film festival, powered entirely by young voices. LSU Museum of Art Educator and Public Programs Manager Callie Smith mentored the group and helped them collaborate with Manship Theatre to bring their festival to life.

THE XYZ COLLECTIVE GALLERY TALK & SOUND PERFORMANCE As part of In Focus: Artwork by LSU Faculty, the XYZ Collective presented Field Recordings, a project preserving Louisiana’s disappearing landscapes through 3D scanning, 3D printing, and immersive soundscapes. Following a discussion of their process, the collective’s sound artists gave a live performance remixing samples from these recordings, offering audiences a unique blend of art, technology, and environment. 40

T. HARRY WILLIAMS CENTER FOR ORAL HISTORY The LSU Museum of Art launched an oral history project to preserve the legacy of Louisiana painter Clementine Hunter. Educator Callie Smith, Registrar Marianna Luquette, and LSU doctoral student Sarah Nansubuga, trained by the T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History, recorded stories from Hunter’s descendants in Baton Rouge and Natchitoches. In addition, the museum is digitally archiving family photographs, articles, letters, and other materials with the goal of making these resources publicly accessible in the future.

COLLECTIONS TOURS The museum hosted many behind-the-scenes tours in the permanent collections storage facility. Classes from LSU were able to learn about how museums care for art, collecting practices, and the opportunity to interact and engage with museum staff members

LSU GULF SCHOLARS COLLABORATION The LSU Museum of Art welcomed the LSU Gulf Scholars for a workshop with visiting artist Jamey Grimes. Drawing inspiration from their own research, students designed and built laser-cut lanterns, transforming their ideas into illuminated works of art. This project was funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Louisiana Division of the Arts.

COLLECTIONS

COLLECTION HIGHLIGHTS

Billie Bourgeois, Open Door in a One House Village, 2022. Acrylic on paper. Gift of the artist.

Roberto Lugo, Water Tower Coff ee Pour Over, undated. Ceramic. Gift of Winifred and Kevin P. Reilly.

This year, the LSU Museum of Art continued to strengthen its collection through significant acquisitions and gifts that expand the stories we tell. From works by regional artists to pieces of national importance, each addition enhances our ability to preserve, study, and share art with the community for generations to come.

Tracye Wear, Blue Sago Palm Unfolding, 2024. Glazed stoneware. Gift of Winifred and Kevin P. Reilly.

Gabriel Laderman, View of Baton Rouge, 1967. Etching on paper. Gift of John and Susan Opie.

⊲ DIGITIZING THE COLLECTION As the spring 2025 semester concluded, students in Art 4240, guided by LSU doctoral student Meredyth Yorek, continued documenting LSU Museum of Art objects through three-dimensional scanning technology. Using photogrammetry, LiDAR, and traditional 3D modeling, they created highly detailed digital replicas of contemporary ceramics from the E. John Bullard collection. These scans make artworks not currently on view more accessible to broader audiences. The next phase, beginning in fall 2025, will focus on developing an immersive virtual gallery with interpretive materials, enabling the public to engage with both the digital models and curatorial research. A prototype virtual museum is expected to launch by the end of 2025.

⊲ COLLECTOR PARTNERSHIPS The LSU Museum of Art premiered two new permanent collection galleries, highlighting decorative arts and European art. The Decorative Arts Gallery features furniture, tableware, miniature furniture, and other functional objects—many on view for the first time in over a decade. These works represent the museum’s core collection, dating back to its founding in 1959. The European Art and Artists Gallery presents nineteenth- and twentieth-century British and American portraiture and furniture, alongside British, Italian, and French landscapes and portraits on loan from the estate of Charles Schwing and noted Baton Rouge collector Jeremy Simien. These important loans expand the museum’s ability to tell a broader story of European art beyond the scope of its permanent holdings. 45

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

The LSU Museum of Art extends heartfelt gratitude to our members, donors, and sponsors. Your generosity and support make it possible for us to present inspiring exhibitions, care for our collection, and create meaningful programs that connect art and community. LSU Museum of Art is supported by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council; in part by a grant from the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, funded by the East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President & Metro Council; and in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. LSU Museum of Art thanks the generous donors to the Annual Fund. Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program. Thank you to Louisiana Lottery Corporation for sponsoring free admission of Free Friday Nights at the LSU Museum of Art. The LSU Museum of Art is also a Blue Star Museum providing free admission to veterans and military families, and provided free admission with EBT cards through Museums for All initiative.

THANK YOU Community Partners

The LSU College of Art + Design

LSU Residential Life

LSU T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History

LSU Anthropology

The LSU College of Music and Dramatic Arts

Pennington Family Foundation

LSU School of Veterinary Medicine

Doug McCraw

LSU Department of Textiles, Apparel Design, and Merchandising

EBR Libraries

LSU MFA Ceramics Students

Hatch Show Print

LSU School of Architecture

LeMieux Galleries of New Orleans, LA

LSU Office of Global Engagement

South Arts

Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge

Louisiana Division of the Arts

Louisiana's Old State Capitol

National Endowment for the Arts

BREC

Park West Foundation

Power Coalition for Equity and Justice

Gloryland Baptist Church

League of Women Voters of Louisiana

EBR Council on Aging

Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra

Ellmnop.Art

LSU Future Ex Youth

Hospice of Baton Rouge

LSU Raptor Rehab

Manship Theatre and Shaw Center Staff

LSU Upward Bound

EBR School System Fine Arts Dept.

Before you geaux...

When you visit, be sure to shop at the

LSU MUSEUM STORE 48

ADVISORY BOARD

STAFF

Chair: Ben Jeffers Vice Chair: Elizabeth Noland Secretary / Treasurer: Stephen R. Miller Immediate Past Chair: Nancy C. Dougherty Dan Bergeron Mark Boudreaux Luisa Cantillo Michael Grace Blaine Grimes John Haile Randell Henry Steven Heymsfield Gerri Hobdy Anne Mahoney Yvette B. Marsh Luke St. John McKnight Winifred Reilly Laura A. Siu Dr. Darius Spieth Carol Steinmuller Will Wilton Renee Erickson Becky Gottsegen Ex-Officio: Clarke J. Gernon, Jr. Ex-Officio: Mark Tullos Honorary: Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser Honorary: Leea Reese Russell

Mark Tullos, Executive Director

FRIENDS OF LSU MUSEUM OF ART President: Clarke J. Gernon, Jr. Vice President: Brad Way Secretary / Treasurer: Jim Fairchild, CPA Brad M. Bourgoyne Jeff Bell Leon F. Elliott Jr. Leone Elliott Mandy LaCerte Claire Major Ann Wilkinson

Sarah Amacker, Communications & Marketing Specialist LeAnn Dusang, Museum Store Manager, Visitor Services Manager, and Rentals Fairleigh Cook Jackson, Director of Development

Marianna Luquette, Museum Registrar Sandy Parfait, Assistant Director of Operations and Visitor Services Travis Pickett, Preparator Dominique Rogers, Business Manager Michelle Schulte, Chief Curator of Exhibitions and Collections Callie Smith, Educator & Public Programs Manager Part-time Contract Employee Rowen Johnson, Membership Coordinator

Nedra Hains, Director of Operations & Visitor Services (June 2018–November 2024)

LSU Museum of Art 100 Lafayette Street Fifth Floor, Shaw Center for the Arts Baton Rouge, LA 70801 225-578-3000 lsumoa.org @lsumoa