In memory of artist, teacher and long-time arts advocate, Elemore Morgan, Jr., the Lafayette art community and Downtown Lafayette will host 2^nd Saturday ArtWalk Fall Fest on September 11, with a pedestrian-friendly art festival, gallery exhibitions, al fresco dining and street animation in the Downtown Lafayette Cultural District from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. with Children's activities taking place from 4 p.m.-6 p.m.  This celebration of Morgan's life, his art and influence on Louisiana artists will herald the State's proclaimed "Elemore Morgan Day" slated for September 18. 

Many partners have come together to create this festival of art including the family of Elemore Morgan, Jr. "My family and I are extremely proud that the state of Louisiana and the City of Lafayette are honoring Elemore's legacy.  We want this day to become a celebration of all of Louisiana's artists.  We celebrate Louisiana's great cultural heritage, its music, and its food but we don't always recognize its visual art.  Our visual artists make Louisiana's history come alive and carry its impact to the rest of the world," said Mary Morgan.  

See the Art. Buy the Art.

Every 2^nd Saturday ArtWalk, more than a dozen galleries and museums feature the best in local & regional artwork and fine crafts. This ArtWalk is no exception with artists like Debbie Denison, David Alpha, Kelly Guidry, Melissa Bonin, Pegi Derby, Dutch Kepler, Colleen McDaniel, Jane Noble, Steve Schneider and Dennis Sipiorski displaying works for purchase in the Downtown galleries.

In addition to art exhibitors on the street for Fall Fest and gallery art shows and receptions, the Acadiana Center for the Arts will feature an exhibit of works by original Artists Alliance members, including former students of Elemore Morgan, Jr. The Artists Alliance members' show will open on September 11^th and run through September 27^th.

Works sold in the Downtown Lafayette Cultural District are free from state sales tax. Be sure to take advantage of this discount, while shopping Downtown. To view more information on each gallery and their featured artists, visit Downtown Lafayette.org.

Create Art

Children of all ages can try their hand at chalk art during this celebration. Children's activities will take place from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. near Home Bank on Jefferson St. with art, music, refreshments and fun.

Artists and those who have never tried to draw can participate in the Elemore Morgan, Jr. Draw-In at the Vermilion Street Firehouse, just across the street from the Sans Souci Fine Crafts Gallery on Vermilion St. The Performing Arts Society of Acadiana (PASA) commemorates Elemore's devotion to drawing. Artists Camille Banucci, Janet Hanchey, Steve Breaux and Kathy Reed will be on hand to mentor even the most novice. Materials provided or bring your own.

2^nd Saturday ArtWalk Fall Fest is sponsored by Downtown Lafayette, the Elemore Morgan, Jr. Visual Arts Endowment, the Louisiana Craft Guild, the Lafayette Art Association and Gallery, The Independent, Home Bank, Event Rental and the Acadiana Center for the Arts. For more information, visit www.DowntownLafayette.org.

Participating restaurants

Tsunami, Johnson's Boucaniere, Taco Sisters, Guama's, The French Press, Pamplona's, Zeus, Collage Café, Andoli's, Marley's, Jefferson St. Pub, and Dwyer's

Musicians

Kevin Sekahani and Friends, Russell Cormier, Bernard Pearce, Caroline Helm, Dege Legg, Seven Horse Tango, and Andy Cornett 

Artist Exhibitors

Pamela Conway Caruso, Chris Des Jardins, Kai Drobish, Maxie Durel-Crain, Deborah Dennis Simeral, Annie Hendrix, Janet Ullrich-Theriot, Dickie Wagner, Cayla Zeek, Rianna Michele Freeman, Jacob Broussard, Andrea/Luis Perez, Michelle Fontenot Glass, Michael Van Brocklin, Gary Joye, Trish Ransom, Roby Poche, Dwight Francis David, Leslie Leonpacher, Kathy Dumesnil, David and Emily Wortman, and Elizabeth Headington

Downtown Retailers Wa-Zoo, Greenwood Shoes, Right On Fashions, Old Vogue Costumes and Tiara Jewelry will be open with normal business hours.

About Elemore Morgan, Jr.

Elemore Morgan, Jr., born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on August 6, 1931, was internationally known as a leading Louisiana landscape painter. He was influenced by his father, photographer Elemore Morgan, Sr., whose photography was an integral part of his work throughout his career and in his documentation of American life and especially of the Cajun and Creole musicians of Southwest Louisiana.  Morgan painted and drew throughout his life, starting as a small child and never tired of creating his own work and encouraging other artists.  Morgan studied art first at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and after serving in the Korean War, studied at the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art at the University of Oxford. He returned to Louisiana, and from 1965 until his retirement 33 years later, Morgan taught drawing at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette.

Throughout his life, Morgan worked tirelessly to promote the arts in Louisiana, including visual and performing arts, and crafts he continuously and positively impacted the lives of students, fellow artists and friends around him.  The Elemore Morgan, Jr. Visual Arts Endowment was created to provide support to artists and further the artistic vision exemplified by the life of Elemore Morgan, Jr., and this special 2^nd Saturday ArtWalk celebration further honors his life's work.