Visitors to St. John the Baptist Parish Library in Reserve will be treated to the best works of art by Richard Boneno as his art pieces will be on display at the library for the month of December.

The open house exhibition to showcase 55 original pieces from Boneno’s career will be held from 12 p.m to 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, inside the 1885 House gallery space at the Leroy D. Williams Memorial Library, located at 1482 Highway 44 in Reserve.

Brooke Cantrelle, spokesperson for St. John the Baptist Parish Library, said patrons who visit the library can request access to the exhibition any time the library is open between Dec.9 to Dec. 30. “We anticipate this will be the first of many opportunities to utilize the gallery space in the Library’s 1885 House as we seek to expand our arts and cultural programming,” she said.

Richard Boneno taught the first scheduled art class in the St. John the Baptist Parish School System inside a Leon Godchaux High School classroom in 1954, leaving behind a legacy that impacted generations of young artists in St. John’s Parish. He passed away on March 8, at 99 years old.

The library hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The artwork will not be available for viewing on Sundays or from December 24-25.

A native of Garyville, Boneno was a World War II veteran, educator, and an extensive world traveler. He obtained a master’s in art education from LSU before working in the art department of Colorado University and spent three summer sessions with Louisiana Tech in Italy.

After arriving at Leon Godchaux in 1954, Boneno joined the Carnival Ball Committee and designed beautiful backdrops for the annual event. In the aftermath of the fire that destroyed Leon Godchaux, Boneno taught at East St. John High School until his retirement.

His artwork utilized various mediums in accordance with what he was teaching his students at the time, including pencil, charcoal, India ink, crayon, tempera, acrylics, watercolor, and oils. He painted on burlap, plywood/masonite hardboard, canvas, paper, wood panels, and other materials. Boneno also created pieces in paper-mâché and sculpture. He had a passion for travel photography and enjoyed documenting his ventures into Europe, Africa, South America, Japan, and Egypt, among other destinations.

The Richard Boneno Art Exhibition is coordinated by Judge Sterling Snowdy with support from Bill Hodges, Boneno’s executor and  caretaker. Snowdy believes Boneno never got the level of recognition he deserved as a local artist, stating prior to Boneno’s passing he had suggested holding a show to share his artwork with the community.

“Being a very humble man, he always declined,” Snowdy said. “I think his work was underappreciated. He was such a humble man that he didn’t go out and publicize himself much.

With the collection set to be divided amongst heirs and buyers in early 2025, “I thought this was a wonderful way to honor his legacy,” Snowdy said.