Editorial

In the midst of all the rainfall, there was a bit of sunshine Sunday in Destrehan, where the River Region Arts and Humanities Council held their annual “Art Beaucoup!” fund raiser.

Surrounded by the antique walls of the old Mule Barn from Glendale Plantation in Lucy, patrons of the arts gathered to enjoy fine food, champagne, live music and a silent art auction. All this was to benefit art lovers of all ages, across the River Parishes.

The Arts and Humanities Council is a grant organization designed to promote, preserve and enhance local culture and support art education in the River Parishes.

Grants supporting everything from historical exhibits and musical presentations to class trips to museums by school groups are supported by the council.

Among their goals are to provide continued support in art, music, dance and theatre; sponsor such events; provide support grants for local artists and musicians; and to develop a directory of local art groups, artists and performing and visual art spaces.

This particular event, the “Art Beaucoup!”, enjoyed the support of patrons such as River Parishes Hospital, ADM/Growmark, Marathon-Ashland Petroleum, the River Parishes Medical Society, Sanddollar Energy Inc., OMNI Bank, Otto Candies Inc., Advanced Medical Equipment and Destrehan Plantation, among others.

The evening featured good fellowship, excellent examples of fine arts and crafts, music and food. ‘Plan C worked,” said event chair Sandra Chaisson, who originally planned the event outdoors under the spreading oaks of Destrehan Plantation, or on the galleries of the plantation before the weather pushed activities indoors to the Mule Barn.

However, a strong attendance raised an estimated $20,000, to be channeled through grants into the local arts community and to schools.

Membership is open at various levels, from students to senior citizens, individual and corporations. For more information, see www.rrahe.org.

In the face of political strife, the assaults of Mother Nature and the changing economic times, one organization is trying to bring sunshine, appreciation for the good life generated through the arts and enlightenment of our children through a broader cultural appreciation.

—L’Observateur