The art of survival

Leah Hoffpauir, president of the Crowley Art Association, brought the past, present and future of the association with her when she spoke to the Rotary Club of Crowley recently.
Hoffpauir told the group that the CAA began in 1975-1976 when a group of Crowley artists joined together to establish an arts and crafts festival to be held in conjunction with the International Rice Festival each year. That initial group of approximately 45 people created “Arts in the Park” and gave rise to the Crowley Art Association.
And, Hoffpauir noted, the group is still holding “Arts in the Park,” this year with over 60 vendors over a two-day period.
The Gallery was opened by the CAA in 1980 as a place for area artists to display their work and as a means of stimulating community interest in art. Today, in addition to displaying art, The Gallery serves as a venue for meetings, receptions, student exhibitions and other activities such as workshops and tour groups, all of which are free to the public.
Hoffpauir has been a member of the CAA for about five years, having joined shortly after Vanessa Schendel, The Gallery’s current coordinator.
“We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into,” she joked.
At the time, the Chamber of Commerce was helping to put the CAA and The Gallery back together. Debbie Butler had been hired as coordinator, but soon after she was diagnosed with cancer, and her death was a major set-back.
The closure of the economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic was also a major setback due to the loss of community involvement. “Out of sight, out of mind,” said Hoffpauir.
Hoffpauir noted that in the past, the CAA and The Gallery had been able to get by on membership fees and fundraisers, but that next year things will be very different. The group is working on a calendar of workshops and partnering with other local non-profits as it seeks to maintain its financial stability.
The CAA has once again begun hosting monthly galas at The Gallery. Anne Meche was the featured artist in October and Brandon Faulk’s work is currently on display. The month of December will see a variety of Christmas art created by area artists.
According to Hoffpauir, what The CAA and The Gallery really need right now is community involvement. “You don’t need an artistic bone in your body to be a member,” she said.
“Probably we are running The Gallery with five people and they just can’t do it by themselves. We need volunteers.”
To become a member of the CAA or volunteer at The Gallery, or for more information, call (337) 514-5114.
The Gallery is located at 411 N. Parkerson Ave. and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.