The numbers are in! 2023 was our biggest year yet, when the Life & Legacy Foundation with Wendy Rodrigue brought George Rodrigue’s original art and compelling story to six states — Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Florida, New Hampshire and New Mexico!
This included 47 in person presentations to students at 19 schools, plus summer camps and after school programs, reaching thousands of children.
On the wall is George Rodrigue’s We Will Rise Again (2005), a poignant post-Katrina statement that is part of the museum’s permanent collection.
Adult and family lectures also broke a new record, with 16 engagements, including Neal Auction Company, the Louisiana State Archives, the Louisiana Arts Summit, the Louisiana Art Educators Association, the New Roads Centre for the Arts, the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, the Carnegie Visual Arts Center, the WBRM Teachers’ Institute and Ethel Claiborne Dameron Lecture Series, LSU’s Phi Mu Alumni, and MONA Portsmouth.
The Life & Legacy Foundation organized two outstanding exhibitions in 2023. “The River is the Road: Paintings by George Rodrigue” ran for five months at the West Baton Rouge Museum in Port Allen, Louisiana. “George Rodrigue: Painting for Myself” ran for four months at the Museum of New Art in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Both included numerous events, lectures and community outreach. And both were so successful that the exhibitions continue to travel in 2024 to museums nationwide!
In 2023 the Bayou Teche Museum in George Rodrigue’s hometown of New Iberia, Louisiana, unveiled “Wendy’s Wall,” inspired by the Life & Legacy Foundation and highlighting revolving exhibitions of original artwork by Acadiana students.
We launched an exciting new Life & Legacy Foundation program in 2023 called the “Video Narrative.” These 30 short films, produced by Douglas Magnus, highlight the history of individual George Rodrigue artworks. Access and watch here.
Dynamic partnerships in 2023 included the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, the Women’s International Study Center, the Carnegie Visual Arts Center, the West Baton Rouge Museum, and MONA Portsmouth.
Gratitude abounds for our generous sponsors, including Henry and Pat Shane, Telich Custom Homes, Morgan Stanley, Avery Insurance, the Louisiana Lottery, and numerous private donors, volunteers, and art lenders. Also, a big shout-out of thanks to the many magnanimous friends who have housed and fed us on the road.
Finally, none of this could happen without my incredible L&L team: Outreach Coordinator Heather Parker and Curator of Exhibitions Dana Holland-Beickert, plus my husband and volunteer extraordinaire, Douglas Magnus!
See photographs and recaps from all 2023 events here.
2024 is just as exciting, taking us to schools, museums and other venues across the country! Stay tuned as we share and inspire with this unique non-profit programming, while honoring the extraordinary life and art of George Rodrigue!
Thank you for your support and enthusiasm! Happy New Year to all!
Enjoy life!
Wendy
So overwhelmingly appreciated by so many. My friend would be absolutely impressed. Cannot thank Douglas enough. Merci mon Ami.