The numbers are in! 2023 was our BIGGEST year yet!
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. READ MORE in our 2023 Year End Recap.
Fall 2023 Recap
November 4
Louisiana Art Education Association Fall Conference, Baton Rouge
It was my immense honor to share with teachers this weekend at the Louisiana Art Education Association’s Fall Conference. Truly. I admire teachers greatly, especially art teachers. They work creative, inspirational miracles with our children, and they hung in there with me, with enthusiasm!, for an extra long session, and I am most grateful.
I look forward to seeing you all again!
Wendy Rodrigue
November 1
Covington, Louisiana, St. Peter Catholic School
Thank you to the children and teachers of St. Peter’s School in Covington, Louisiana, for the warm and enthusiastic reception!
October 25
Outreach, Centre for the Arts, New Roads, Louisiana
Grateful for a gracious, engaged audience of all ages while sharing George Rodrigue in the charming town of New Roads, Louisiana.
October 23
Friends of the Louisiana State Archives present The Life & Legacy Tour with Wendy Rodrigue, Louisiana State Archives, Baton Rouge
Thank you to everyone at the Louisiana State Archives and Friends of the Louisiana State Archives. It was an amazing evening!
October 23 – 27
Education Outreach in partnership with West Baton Rouge Museum, Port Allen, LA.
Thank you to the West Baton Rouge Museum for organizing this week of outreach with schools and community groups, for an art filled week with Wendy Rodrigue, touring The River is the Road: Paintings by George Rodrigue.
Spring 2023 Recap
May 2023: Celebrating “Louisiana Day” in Metairie, LA, and a special presentation in Santa Fe, New Mexico
May 12: Metairie, Louisiana
Wendy Rodrigue brought her Life & Legacy Tour to St. Catherine of Siena School In Metairie, Louisiana, sharing George Rodrigue’s story and original paintings, as part of the historic school’s “Louisiana Day!”
Each child received a Blue Dog poster from the George Rodrigue Family Trust as “lagniappe” to take home. Thank you to teacher Shanna Barnett and the awesome students of St. Catherine’s! Also, special thanks to our volunteers, Marney Robinson and Douglas Shiell.
Enjoy this special glimpse of this wonderful day at St. Catherine’s!
May 17: Santa Fe, New Mexico
What a joy to visit with Santa Fe’s young artists and gardeners at the base of George Rodrigue’s magnificent sculpture, on the beautiful grounds of the Acequia Madre House. Thank you to Jordan Young of the Women’s International Study Center, and especially to the delightful, curious, and engaging students of the Acequia Madre Elementary School!
And thank you to Brandon Vella for the wonderful photos:
February 2023: Sharing George Rodrigue during the month of love.
“Portraits” dominated this tour, and it resonated more than we could have imagined. After an hour in discussion together, students often chose to stay after class and look closer at these magnificent personal expressions by George Rodrigue and Douglas Magnus. If one is open to it, art in any form can be powerful and transformative. We’re more excited than ever to continue and expand this dynamic programming!
Sending a huge thank you to the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, which sponsored and organized the first ambitious week of 9 presentations in Okaloosa County schools. This partnership makes magic happen, and we’re full of gratitude!
The tour continued the following week in Decatur, Alabama, with 3 presentations in area schools, and an evening event at the Carnegie Visual Arts Center. With gratitude to the Carnegie Visual Arts Center, the Alabama State Council on the Arts, and the River Clay Foundation for organizing and sponsoring these days of outreach.
Last, but not least, a stop in Midland, Texas, where Wendy shared the Life & Art of George Rodrigue with students at Greenwood Elementary. The Life & Legacy Tour inspires through the arts, but in truth the children are the real gift!
