|
 |
FEATURED IMAGE
|
 |
|
This month's featured image by Lafayette artist Amy Guidry is Untitled (Heads), acrylic on canvas. Amy is a contemporary, Surrealist fine artist specializing in painting. Her work has been featured in galleries, museums, and private collections across the United States as well as international publications, MTV, and the feature film "When Angels Sing." To see her latest artwork and event information for upcoming exhibits visit her website www.amyguidry.com
Want to submit your work for consideration as the featured image on CulturalConnections? Find out how.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
BOARD
|
|
Jay Weigel, Chair
|
|
| Cynthia Simien, Secretary |
|
| Demetric M. Mercadel, Treasurer |
|
| C. J. Blache |
|
Mignon Faget
|
|
| Rob Guidry |
|
| Bill Hess |
|
Norma Jane Sabiston
|
|
Margaret Shehee
|
|
| Tommy Usrey |
|
| Pam Breaux, Ex-Officio |
|
STAFF
|
| Aimee Smallwood, CEO |
|
Lisa Picone, Economic Opportunity Fund Grant Program Director
|
|
| Jackie Richard, Development Director |
|
| Kathy Richard, Healthcare Initiative Director |
|
| Dorian Rush Reardon, Economic Opportunitiy Grant Fund Program Administrator |
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
Dear Friends of LCEF:
It’s festival season in Louisiana and I’m reminded of how integrated our culture is to our everyday lives. I’ve just returned from Los Angeles where I got to see ReBirth Brass Band accept a Grammy Award, Trombone Shorty perform for a packed and enthusiastic house on Sunset Strip and a host of other, extremely talented Louisiana performers who were nominated for Grammys. If you don’t think our most valuable resource – Louisiana talent – isn’t recognized outside of the state, think again!
We’re collaborating more than ever with the regional Arts Councils in Louisiana these days. We’re seeking ways to ensure that the cultural sector is involved with local and regional planning. And we’re about to cut the ribbon for our new office in New Orleans. March 1, we’ll celebrate our new space at 1540 Canal Street, which we’re sharing with New Orleans Technology Services, Mary Negrotto Media and Andras Advertising. Drop by between 4 and 6 p.m. to help us celebrate!
Aimee Smallwood
CEO
|
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
Freddi, you received an Economic Opportunity Fund grant from LCEF in 2008. How has that helped you?
I built the website initially to promote and increase visibility for the three children’s books I’d written and to increase my author presentations. The best thing about the website is that it’s allowed me to build exposure outside of Louisiana and I’ve been able to accept invitations to present at many out of state venues.
But beyond those financial gains, something really important and culturally significant happened as a result of the website. One of my books, The Battle of New Orleans: The Drummer’s Story, is about Jordan Noble, who was the drummer for Andrew Jackson and a veteran of four American wars. When he served as a drummer for the Battle of New Orleans, around fourteen years old, he was still 
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Get a dose of sunlight every day. Sunlight lifts your mood, so try to get at least 10 – 15 minutes of sun per day. This can be done while exercising, gardening or socializing.
|
| |
|
|
Stretching your muscles is a healthy habit that can attribute to your overall health in a positive manner. Stretching allows your muscles to heal better after a workout and it allows for more flexibility which leads to decreased risk of injury. You can even do if when you get out of bed!
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation (LCEF) is making strides in its outreach, providing health screenings, dental care and mental health services for cultural workers across the state.
Early last spring, LCEF received a generous grant from the Foundation for the MidSouth (FMS) to fund a mental health pilot. Through this pilot, our Healthcare Initiative, which facilitates access to healthcare for our low-income cultural workers and their family members, is now able to provide behavioral health services. FMS funding has enabled LCEF to provide mental health screenings and access to mental health support for those most in need. Our goal is to improve mental health and reduce factors that promote depression and other psychological issues.
Funding for this pilot ends on May 31, 2012. We will then do an evaluation to determine the behavioral health needs of our cultural community, and also determine funding requirements to address these needs. From what is already indicated through this pilot, the need is high. We hope to continue mental health support as an integral part of our Healthcare Initiative.
For information on our healthcare services contact Kathy Richard at kathy@culturaleconomy.org or (337) 366-8970.
Read more in the following article by The Advocate – Baton Rouge.
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
