LOUISIANA STATE EXHIBIT MUSEUM TO PRESENT CADDO PARISH ART STUDENT EXHIBIT

“Project Talent,” an exhibition of artwork created by Caddo Parish students, will be held from Tuesday, June 6 through Friday, June 26. The exhibition will display a variety of artwork including acrylic paintings on canvas, Prisma colored pencil on paper, mixed media, and handmade pottery for sale.

“Project Talent” will open with a reception honoring the artists and their teachers on Tuesday, June 6 from 4:30 - 7 p.m.

Caddo Parish School System Art Supervisor Henry Price developed Project Talent in 1975 as an enrichment program for high school students who excel in the visual arts and plan to pursue careers in the arts. Project Talent meets weekly in a studio setting taught by Caddo Magnet High School art teachers Shirlene Alexander and Curtis Bias.

“We are thrilled to give students real-world experience preparing for a professional exhibition and the opportunity to display their work in a museum setting,” LSEM Curator Nita Cole stated. “This is a tremendous opportunity for them as they prepare to embark on careers as artists.”

Admission is free and tours are available by appointment. For more information about the museum, contact Cindy Grogan at cgrogan@sos.la.gov, (318) 632-2020 or visit http:// laexhibitmuseum.org/.

Art Camp For High School Students

Centenary College’s Meadows Museum of Art will host an intensive art camp for high school students July 10 through 14. Local art educators Tess Pepitone and Martha Claire Lepore will lead the camp that will explore a variety of artistic styles and techniques. The camp will meet in the mornings from July 10-14 at the Meadows Museum on the Centenary College campus. Register by June 26 at themeadowsmuseum.com/ summercamp.

LOUISIANA TECH RANKS IN 2023-24 U.S NEWS & WORLD REPORT BEST GRADUATE SCHOOLS

Louisiana Tech University has once again been recognized as a leader in graduate education according to the U.S. News & World Report 2023-24 Best Graduate Schools rankings released today.

Several programs within the College of Business and College of Engineering and Science placed on the Best Graduate Schools list.

• 95 – Best Business Schools (Full-time MBA)

• 157 – Best Engineering Graduate Schools

Each year, U.S. News ranks professional school programs in business, education, engineering, law, medicine, and nursing, including specialties in each area. The Best Graduate Schools rankings in these areas are based on two types of data: expert opinion about program excellence and statistical indicators that measure the quality of a school’s faculty, research, and students.

BOSSIER SCHOOLS, BROOKSHIRE’S PARTNER TO FEED THE HUNGRY

During the 4th Annual i3 Art Expo, the iCANstruction competition challenged school teams to build structures made from canned goods. It was a feat in math, engineering, and artistic expression, but also promoted civic engagement. Grocery store chain Brookshire’s donated 2,700 canned goods for the competition. Schools were also encouraged to collect additional canned goods to build bigger structures, which resulted in another 7,000 food items.

Bossier Schools and Brookshire’s donated approximately 10,000 canned goods to the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office Operation Blessing food pantry for distribution among senior citizens and those in need within the community. As Bossier Parish Sheriff Julian Whittington pointed out, fewer food donations are made during the summer months, though the need is still great, making this outreach effort a huge help.

SHREVEPORT NATIVE’S BOOKS ENCOURAGE WARM AND FUZZY CREATIVITY

Bossier library visitors will likely do a double-take when they see a car completely covered in purple fur parked in front of two Bossier Parish Library branches on June 13.

Houston author Cathey Graham Nickell—a native of Shreveport— will present her award-winning children’s picture book, “Yazzy’s Amazing Yarn,” at two branches of the Bossier libraries. A special art car— called Penelope and owned by Felizabeth Smiley of Houston—will be on site for each visit. After Nickell gives her colorful presentation, she will teach children how to finger-knit with just some yarn and their hands. Finger-knitting is a fun, interactive activity requiring no clickety-clackity needles and no prior experience. Kids will also get to experience the art car at each stop.

The library system’s summer theme this year is “All Together Now,” and each community event is free and open to the public. Nickell’s visit schedule is:

AULDS BRANCH: 10 am, Tuesday, June 13, 3950 Wayne Ave, Bossier City, LA 71112

BENTON BRANCH: 2 pm, Tuesday, June 13, 115 Courthouse Dr, Benton, LA 71006

Nickell lived in Shreveport for most of her life, graduating from C.E. Byrd High School in 1981. She holds a journalism degree from Baylor University and a Master of Arts from LSUShreveport. Nickell moved from Shreveport to Houston in the late 90s, where she raised four children with her husband, Kevin.

Taco Wars 2023 Winners

The champions of Taco Wars 2023 have been crowned after a fierce showdown that had taco lovers from across the region flocking in droves! Presented by Modelo, Jose Cuervo, and Maestro Dobel, along with the Prize Foundation, this year’s festival brought in a whopping $80,000 for local businesses.

The competition was intense, with hungry crowds braving the rain to sample the best tacos and salsas around. The festival featured 16 local taquerias, selling tacos to the public and battling it out for the coveted Golden Taco (Best Taco) and Golden Molcajete (Best Salsa).

Mi Mercadito emerged victorious, impressing the judges and taking home the award for Golden Taco (Best Taco) and a $1000 cash prize. Ramirez Mexican Restaurant defended its title for the third year in a row, impressing the crowd with its unbeatable salsa recipe and taking a $500 cash prize for the Golden Molcajete (Best Salsa).

Participating taquerías included: Nicky’s Mexican Restaurant, Taqueria Mi Palmar, Ramirez Mexican Restaurant, Mi Mercadito, El Novillo Carniceria, Taqueria La Reyna Del Sur, La Potranca, Taqueria Bazzar Mexicano, Mi Meza Latin Cuisine, Taqueria San Miguel, Taqueria El Eden, Taqueria Flores, El Taconazo, Tacos El Culebrito, Tamalocos, and Taco Joe’s Authentic Wet Tacos.