U.S.S. Orleck to host Veterans Tribute art exhibit for Gallery Promenade

U.S.S. Orleck to host Veterans Tribute art exhibit for Gallery Promenade

From Staff Reports

The Contraband

For one night, on Friday September 25 from 5 p.m.-9 p.m., come aboard the U.S.S. Orleck Naval Museum for a special Southwest Louisiana veteran’s tribute exhibit during Gallery Promenade. A digital slideshow honors area veterans, and talented local artists present special new works created for the occasion, in addition to a few surprises.

Featured artists include Jay Coker, Maura Cole, Erica Nelson, Jeremy Price, Ben Von Duke, and more, while the interactive Message in a Bottle exhibit is created under the direction of McNeese art students Ashley Broussard and Maegan Gonzales. Look for special “live” rooms along the ship’s tour to gain a glimpse into day-to-day operations of a functioning destroyer vessel.

The Sloppy Taco food truck, winner of this year’s Best Chef Award at Arts & Crabs Fest, will be on hand to serve up a delicious new recipe and Meg Johnson Newman from Queen of Hearts Salon sets up in the Orleck’s Barber Room to offer $10 clipper cuts, $12 scissor cuts, and $5 beard trims.

Gallery Promenade is an annual art event that draws residents and visitors into gallery spaces all over the Lake Area to help boost the public’s awareness of the businesses that work daily to promote the local art scene. This celebratory event encourages the public to travel from gallery to gallery for a comprehensive and interactive experience of the diversity of Southwest Louisiana art and the many artists and spaces that are further developing the region’s cultural economy.

Photo submissions of SWLA veterans will be accepted for inclusion until September 14 at 5pm.

The U.S.S. Orleck, currently docked at 604 N. Enterprise Blvd., also celebrates the ship’s 70th anniversary this month. Observance of this milestone will be on Saturday, September 12 at 11am, with the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Chennault Battalion participating. The Orleck was originally commissioned on September 15, 1945 in Orange, TX.