A&E

Arty party this Saturday downtown

by Anna Purdy

Jan. 14 is the first ArtWalk of 2012 in downtown Lafayette.

Jan. 14 is the first ArtWalk of 2012 in downtown Lafayette.

ArtWalk is has been a downtown staple for a few dozen years. Art appreciators and people who aren't as familiar with downtown come together with people who live and work downtown as well as the artists and businesses that make downtown such a cultural lightpost for Acadiana.

Art isn't meant to be intimidating and not all art is expensive. Tremendous pieces are available for reasonable prices or you can just mingle and enjoy. Original works of art are exempt from state sales tax.

Acadiana Center for the Arts 101 W. Vermilion St. / 233-7060

In its Main Gallery is the exhibit Prospect Lafayette featuring work by Icelandic artist Ragnar Kjartansson as well as Bruce Davenport Jr., Dawn Dedeaux, Willie Birch, Regina Scully, Jonathan Hicks and Tameka Norris. This is an international exhibition up until Jan. 21.

AcA's Side Gallery is hosting From the Collection of Burnell Lemoine. The former Lafayette school superintendent began collecting 40 years ago while worksing as a teacher. The collection includes paintings, sculptures and ceramics. Lemoine retired last month after 45 years in the Louisiana public school system.

The James S. Mallia Galleria continues the Lemoine collection with his collection of photography. Both feature artists of renown and are on display until Feb. 4.

AcA's Vault Gallery features the glass work of Wess Koon, titled Reflections.

Adrian Fulton's Fine Art Gallery 302 Jefferson St. / 658-3274

Fulton's gallery features paintings, portraits and caricatures. Art and art therapy classes are available.

Arts Co-op 535 1/2 Jefferson St. / 344-8657

January ArtWalk at the Arts Co-op features works by mixed media artist Giorgio Russo, Tanya Falgout's paintings and mosaics, Travis Prejean's Trophies of Transformation series, Jared Guidry's Defined and jewelry by BeeZees Designs and Silver Sister.

Cajun Spice 535 Jefferson St / 232-3061

Pam Shensky is January's featured artist.

Children's Museum of Acadiana 201 East Congress / 232-8500

Hands-on exhibits for kids with lots of learning.

Cité des Arts 109 Vine St. / 291-1122

The Lafayette Parish School System Talent Program will present a multi-media, multi-disciplinary series of events showing work from elementary, middle and high school students.

Francis Pavy Studio 210 Gordon St. / 232-6682

Open studio with recent works and works in progress. Located in Freetown adjacent to downtown.

Gallery 549 549 Jefferson St. / 593-0796

Girls Who Kick Glass continues with Amy Anderson, Ellen Caillouet, Michelle Fontenot, Carnie Frizzell, Charla Guidry, Ginger Kelly, Jerilyn La Vergne, Christine Ledoux, Jenny Parker and Ange Riehl.

Galerie Lafayette at The Lafayette Public Library 538 Jefferson St. / 261-5775

Julie Breaux is the featured artist.

Lafayette Science Museum 433 Jefferson St. / 291-5544

Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries is featured. Museum admission for this exhibit is $5 for adults and $2 for children.

Lounge Art Gallery 402 S. Buchanan St. / 236-5570

Under 30: Louisiana's Fresh Crop of Talent featuring Connor McManus, Cayla Zeek, Forrest Montgomery, Jacob Broussard, Erin Jagneaux, Ryan Cormier, Kyte Aymond, Dominique Begnaud, Mallory Page and Mark Rabalais. Curated by Jeffery McCullough.

Gallery R (at The Russo Group) 116 E. Congress St. / 769-1530

The paintings of Jean Rosen are featured.

Sans Souci Gallery 219 E. Vermilion St. / 266-7999

During January, featured artists will be Pat and Suzanne Juneau featuring metalwork and jewelry.

St. Pierre's Center for the Arts 114 W. Vermilion St. / 236-9111

Artist Mason G. is featured.

Whoojoo Stained Glass 532 Jefferson St. / 269-9310

Open studio.

Businesses showing artwork are Bizarre Ink, Frederick's Hair Studio, Grant Street Dancehall, Parish Ink, Recycled Cycles of Acadiana, Artmosphere, The Ballet Academie and Americas Coffee House. ArtWalk officially opens at 6 p.m. but many places are open sooner.