Wendell Riley

@wendellriley

Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Wendell Riley has a BSc in Marketing and an MBA. He is currently the Executive Director of Robinson Film Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit art house cinema. He also hosts the podcast Freshwater Yankee, which focuses on culture across countries and regions. Before joining RFC, Wendell worked in the animation and film industries in Shreveport, Louisiana, serving as a Production Manager and Producer. In 2018, he was nominated for a Creative Arts Emmy Award for his work on The Boy Who Learned to Fly, an animated project chronicling the early life of Usain Bolt. Wendell also served as the Director of Media and External Relations at Louisiana State University Shreveport and currently serves on the boards of directors for the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra.

BPCC Learning Commons

@bpcclearningcommons

The mission of the Bossier Parish Community College Learning Commons (LC) is to develop collections and services that support the Bossier Parish Community College mission. We provide the students, faculty, and staff with a caring learning environment with innovative and accessible resources and services that encourage and support educational goals to help build a community of engaged citizens.

Jim Craig Watson

@CraigWatson

I always liked creating something different. My first job was working at a sign company at the age of 14. I worked with several old sign masters, that started their careers, making their own paint. This industry taught me to work with many different mediums, glass, wood, neon, paint, steel, gold leaf and plastics just to name a few. I discovered wood turning in 2016 and I was immediately captivated by this method of creating things from wood. Mostly bowls, vases and large hallow forms. Mother nature tends to hide beautiful things from us. Each time i am blessed with a piece of wood, I can see things deep inside, hidden well below the bark, things that are I know are there, and i need to bring them to the surface.

Stage Center and our School of Performing Arts

@stagecenterla

Stage Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, semi-professional community theater that aims to produce musicals and plays using professional and volunteer actors, advanced student actors, and other community-based artists at the highest caliber of professionalism and talent. In addition to our productions, we are dedicated to educating and preparing the next generation of theater lovers and theater makers through high-quality, multidisciplinary student arts programs, to enrich the lives of Louisianians. We aim to work on new material as well as retelling classic work to inspire and engage our community. Cultivating Community. Training Talent. Advancing Art.

Christy

@Christy.Emerson_art

I am inspired by life, my family, my friends, and the world around me. I love creating art based on nature and life. I enjoy nature; the rejuvenating peace, serenity, and grounding. Camping is one of my favorite hobbies, as well as gaming, hiking, shopping, and fashion. I am multi-talented and love an array of different experiences. Life should be experienced while we have it. Landscapes are my favorite thing to paint. I also love creating pastel art, crochet, and sewing. With crochet, I have created a stuffed octopus family, blankets, shawls, etc. As far as sewing, I have made dog clothing, human shirts, cardigans, neck gaiters, pillows, etc. With the art, I use all sorts of media, such as pastels, acrylic painting, pencil sketching, etc. I enjoy all manner of crafts. My craft room has such a variety of supplies.

Noel Community Arts Program

@noelcommunityartsprogram

Mission and Vision: Founded in 2009, the Noel Community Arts Program (NCAP) is an initiative of Noel Memorial United Methodist Church dedicated to helping individuals of all ages and economic backgrounds discover and develop their talents through the arts. Our mission is to provide a safe and inspirational environment where creativity can flourish, fostering a sense of community and personal growth. Programs and Offerings: NCAP offers a wide range of art and music education programs, including individual lessons, outreach programs, and financial assistance scholarships. Our diverse offerings include: Art Classes: From painting and drawing to pottery and mixed media, our art classes cater to various interests and skill levels. Pottery Classes: Handbuilding Classes, Wheel-Throwing Classes, and Open Studio Pottery Groups. Music Lessons: We offer private music lessons in various instruments, tailored to the needs of each student. Community Outreach: We collaborate with local nonprofits to provide art and music programs to underserved populations, ensuring access to the arts for all. Art Camps: Our art camps for children aged 5-11 and 11-16 provide an immersive, creative experience during the summer months. Community Engagement: Our program serves the 30-block area of the Historic Highland Neighborhood, an under-resourced arts district in Shreveport, LA. We focus on reaching individuals who have not had access to traditional art and music education, making the arts accessible to everyone in our community. Events and Initiatives: Free Little Art Gallery (FLAG): A community project where individuals can donate art for display and access free art supplies. Community Mural Projects: Collaborative art projects that beautify our neighborhood and engage the community. Impact and Support: In 2023, NCAP served over 1,000 individuals through our outreach programs, doubling the number from the previous year. We are grateful for the support of organizations like the Noel Foundation, Inc., and the Grayson Foundation, as well as our community members who contribute to our fundraising efforts. Looking Forward: As we continue to grow, NCAP remains committed to enriching the lives of our community members through the arts. Our ongoing renovations and new program offerings reflect our dedication to creating a vibrant and inclusive arts environment. Join Us: Whether you’re a budding artist, a seasoned musician, or someone who simply appreciates the arts, NCAP welcomes you. Join us in our mission to cultivate creativity and strengthen our community through the transformative power of the arts.

Carlana Lee Stone

@Carlana-Stone

I am an internationally- published author & speaker, and Emmy-nominated, award-winning television producer and storyteller with over 30 years experience, partnering with some of the top creative entertainment & technology pipelines in the world. I specializes in content development, imaginative strategies, and inclusive conversations - serving up a storm of lively social interactions, powerful visuals and emotional demonstrations, leaving a lasting impression.

Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet

@shreveportmetroballet

The mission of the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet is to educate the community in the art of classical ballet in a variety of venues, to enhance the cultural life of the community by presenting professional full-length ballets, and to provide opportunity and education for all interested and qualified dancers to showcase their talents in staged productions and lecture/demonstrations. Our Company is comprised of dancers from ages 10 through adult who are chosen each spring by open auditions. We also have dancers age 5-10 perform with us in our minor cast roles. Dancers gain valuable experience by being able to dance alongside the professional guest artists brought in each year for the performances. Guest artists have come from such ballets as the New York City Ballet, the Boston Ballet, the Houston Ballet, Ballet Oklahoma, and the San Francisco Ballet. Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet has the opportunity to reach out to the community in multiple platforms. The dancers host free school performances for elementary students and civic performances are held in the community at local libraries and other venues. SMB also partners with Volunteers of America to have the Chance to Dance Program to allow some of our local students dance with us in our spring performance after having dance classes after school with our Artistic Director. The Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet has continued to grow through the years thanks to the support of the community and the dedication of hundreds of volunteers. We are a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors representing a cross-section of the community. SMB is supported by private and corporate donations, memberships, fundraisers, and grants, which enable the company to present professional quality performances each year.

Laura Sharlow

@Laura_Jane

Laura Sharlow is a graduate of East Texas A&M with a degree in Art Education. She was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. Her practice involves many mediums and topics as she works to continue to find her voice within the art world. She most enjoys painting and woodworking, but has also been involved in mural work, ceramics, metal working, sewing, crochet, and glass work. Laura has exhibited at the Louisiana State Exhibit museum and East Texas A&M University galleries

Playaz and Playettes, Inc

@ppi

Playaz & Playettes, Inc. (PPI) is a grass roots 501[c][3] non-profit charitable artistic educational corporation located in Shreveport, Louisiana’s historic low income community of Ledbetter Heights, also known as “The Bottom.”. Our organization was formed in 1997 within the Ledbetter Heights community. Ron Hardy has served as Executive Director since conception. Our mission as adopted by the board is: “Playaz and Playettes, Inc. exist to enhance the growth and development of our undeserved, low-income residents of Shreveport, LA through art and education. In 2004 we were awarded the prestigious Governors Art Award for “Outstanding Small Arts Organization in the State of Louisiana” from the Louisiana Division of the Arts. We received the “Unsung Hero’s Award” at the 2005 Faith Based Grass Roots Community Conference in Bossier City. We received “An Expression of Commendation from the Louisiana State House of Representatives” in 2002 for our community services as well as numerous local recognitions for our work. Playaz and Playettes Inc adopted the mission statement as follows: “Playaz and Playettes, Inc. exist to enhance the growth and development of our undeserved, low-income residents of Shreveport, La. through art and education. We are committed to the youth, as well as adults, of today for our future. We are dedicated to the financial empowerment of our community. We believe that the development and implementation of ideas and programs by the people and for the people is a step towards empowerment and self-sufficiency.” Through several innovative and diverse workshops, programs and festivals we hope to pioneer a pathway of possibilities, encouragement and hope to many in our community. We hold steadfast and accept as true the old, but not forgotten, proverbs “It takes a village to raise a child” and that “If you give a man a fish you will feed him for only one day; if you teach a man how to fish you will feed him for a lifetime”.