ALL ABOUT FALL
Artist Mary Felder points out the details of her work titled ‘Fleeing Geese,’ a reflection of Hurricane Katrina, during an exhibition of contemporary fiber artists Sept 13 at the Livingston Arts Council. The exhibition runs through Oct. 25
Contemporary fiber art on exhibit at Arts Council of Livingston Parish
BY RICHARD MEEK Contributing writer
Stepping into the past to portray the present has become a popular medium for artists, eager for that multigenerational connection.
Known as contemporary fiber art, the Arts Council of Livingston Parish is exhibiting that technique in an exhibition scheduled through Oct. 25 at its Denham Springs location.
Multifaceted artist Katy Prescott said for generations women have been making quilts and other items in a specific way but modern artists are using those same techniques and adding design, texture and color
“It’s basically using the techniques of our
ä See EXHIBIT, page 3G
Fair that started in 1888 continues in Tangipahoa
Community news report
Against the backdrop of a stunning October sunset, the Tangipahoa Parish Fair opened Oct. 1, continuing a tradition that dates to 1888.
The fair is not only an economic driver for the parish but also showcases local culture and history, and nurtures community pride through agricultural exhibits and music.
And don’t forget about the food, as many local chefs bring their own creations to the thousands of people who attended the fiveday event, which closed Oct. 5. Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller helped kick off the fair, saying the is a time when friends reunite or new friends are made, where families make lifelong memories, where the parish comes together as one.
And perhaps most of all, Miller, repeating his familiar refrain, said the fair helps make “Tangipahoa Parish the best parish in the state.”
What can be more enjoyable for Tangipahoa Parish youngsters than the opening night of the parish fair? The fair opened Oct. 1
the Florida Parishes Arena and ran through Oct. 5.
at
PHOTO BY RICHARD MEEK
Three-year-old Bria Dawson was all smiles on one of the kiddie rides on Oct. 1 at the opening day of the Tangipahoa Parish Fair in Amite. ä More photos. PAGE 4G
Alicia Sharp, right, feeds her two-anda-half year old niece Charlotte Watson pastalaya during the annual Denham Springs Fall Festival held in the Antique District on Saturday. Watching is Krystal Watson.
PHOTO BY DAVID NORMAND
PHOTO BY RICHARD MEEK
ä More photos. PAGE 2G
Live Oak volleyball leaning on communication, teamwork
A change at the top has the Live Oak volleyball team on solid ground these days.
It is a bit of a cliché, but it’s not unusual to hear the term culture change when a new coach is hired to lead a program.
While the term itself gets tossed around a good bit, its meaning is that a program is looking for a new start that raises expectations.
For Live Oak, that came earlier this summer when it hired Kenedi Stephens as its head coach. “It was a long summer,” Stephens said last week after a District 5-1 match at Prairieville.
“Live Oak had a reputation of not being the greatest so we came in wanting to change that. We broke it down to the fundamentals.”
The Eagles were on point at Prairieville, where they improved to 12-9 overall and 2-0 in league play with a 3-1 win. The two district wins equal Live Oak’s total for the previous two seasons combined, and they have the Eagles thinking about making a first playoff appearance for the first time since 2018.
That would qualify as a culture change.
“In the beginning of the season, we were trying to get our lineup straight, trying to see who needed to play where. I feel like once we fixed our lineup, we were fine,” Stephens said. “Once we did that, and we cleaned up our serves and our defense, we’ve been on a roll.”
The Eagles service work was particularly effective against Prairieville with 13 aces. Libero Taylor Mattingly led with five aces while Victoria Brand had three. Outside hitting was also a factor, and the Eagles got good numbers from familiar faces Peyton Shields finished with 17 kills and Da’Miaya Dunn had 14. Shields said the Eagles are see-
ing the results of good preparation.
“I think it’s about practice,” she said. “We import what we work on into our games.” Shields also pointed out the importance of communication and teamwork.
“Communication has been a big thing for us. We’ve lacked it in some games, but in games when it’s up, that’s when we play our best. When our energy is high, that’s when we play our best.”
So far, Stephens has gotten her team’s best efforts more times than not. It certainly appears that the Eagles have bought into her coaching philosophy
“I love having coach Kenedi here. She’s the best coach I’ve ever had,” Shields said. “It’s really helped us, and its changed us for the better We might practice a lot, but it really helps us in the long run.”
Charles Salzer covers Livingston sports for the LivingstonTangipahoa Advocate. To reach Salzer, email livingston@ theadvocate.com.
Shoppers crowded the Antique District in Denham Springs on Saturday for the annual Fall Fest.
In addition to shopping, festivalgoers enjoyed music and the food sold by vendors.
PHOTO BY CHARLES SALZER
Live Oak coach Kenedi Stephens watches her team during last week’s match at Prairieville.
Charles Salzer SPORTS ROUNDUP
Kylee Vautrot looks at pieces of artworks by the New Orleans artist Paul Jawbone Douroux
Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Sgt. Jacob Bourgeois shows seven-year-old Juan Salvacion how different parts of his motorcycle work during the annual Denham Springs Fall Festival.
Harley Milton prepares an order of pastalaya
PHOTOS BY DAVID NORMAND
Mike Maglapit, left, and Skip Dearie, members of the band The Cool Beans, perform during the annual Denham Springs Fall Festival held in the Antique District on Saturday.
Patricia Crocker, left, and Victoria Hill browse through children’s clothes.
Emily Ayers, left, and Andy Pirie look over jewelry at a booth in the Antique District.
DENHAM SPRINGS FALL FESTIVAL
foremothers but using it in a different way,” Prescott said. She explained that when quilts were made in the past, women would piece together pieces of silk and then embroidery over those pieces. Prescott acknowledged embroidery remains one of the forms still in use today but employed differently Instead of having the embroidery lay down on the surface, it is built up and moves away from the source in three-dimensional manner essentially creating a marriage of older methodology to contemporary creativity, she said.
During a recent reception at the arts center to celebrate the exhibit, Prescott stood next to a piece of fiber art she created of her granddaughter In fact, Prescott wistfully hoped no one would buy the piece because of her connection to her granddaughter
“Last night when I went to bed I nearly cried because I did not want to sell this one,” she said, and at least for a day her wish was granted. Prescott noted that the hair on the piece is woolen roving that had been taken from a sheep. She said colors are used that are dyed. She said once dyed, the pieces are put together and in the backing little holes were made.
“It’s just a roving pulled together and threaded out so I can put the color that I want in the space that I want it,” she said.
Prescott said she buys the colors because she does not dye roving but will dye cloths.
“It all started as raw wool from a sheep,” she said. “It’s just a wad of white wool and when I use it, I dye it and think to what thickness I want it and then tap it with my tool.”
Prescott, a lifelong artist, is the daughter of former LSU professor, Katherine Watts, who shared her daughter’s interest and at one point opened own her own shop. Watts was also known for promoting Miss Anna a popular Black artist in the community
“So I just have been around it my whole life and learned a lot from my mother (including) an appreciation for contemporary work,” she said. “And so the work is something I was exposed to early, which was a very free-form, using scraps.”
Also displaying artwork with personal connections is Mary Felder, whose piece is a reflection of Hurricane Katrina. Felder said the wood on the artwork called “Fleeing Geese,” came off of the beach in Bay St. Lou-
and artists comment on works during an
Oct. 25. Community news report
Artist Katy Prescott’s painting of her granddaughter included hair, which she dyed, made of wool roving from a sheep. Her work was one of several on display during an exhibition of contemporary fiber artists Sept. 13 at the Livingston Arts Council. The exhibition runs through Oct. 25
is, Mississippi, where her family once owned a summer home. The art depicts the traditional “V” formation of flying geese flying toward the sun. Felder said the geese represent people fleeing the sun, which represents safety, and away from the carnage on the ground.
Even though the family had sold the home two months before Katarina the memories remain of a place that touched her heart and offered a safe haven. “It is so peaceful,” said
Felder, who has been involved with the Arts Council for 15 years. Prescott said the Contemporary Artis Fiber organization has 30 members, stretching from New Orleans to Texas, Alexandria and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. She said the club meets four times a year For more information on the organization, visit https://www.cfalart.com.
Email Richard Meek at livingston@theadvocate. com.
Author coming to Denham Springs book store
Author Sharon LaCour is coming to Cavalier House Books in Denham Springs from 2 p.m. to 4 pm Nov 15. LaCour’s book, “The Meeting of Air and Water,” was inspired by the pho-
tos of Fonville Winans, whose work is archived at LSU. In addition to LaCour, Winans’ grandson, Fonville B. Winans, will also be at the Denham Springs book store. For more information about the author, visit www.sharonannlacour.com.
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Prescott, pointing to the work of her granddaughter, admitted she hoped no one would buy her piece. Prescott was one of several artists displaying their works at an exhibition of contemporary fiber artists Sept. 13 at the Livingston Arts Council.
PHOTOS BY RICHARD MEEK
Patrons
exhibition of contemporary fiber artists Sept. 13 at the Livingston Arts Council. The exhibition runs through
One of the Tangipahoa Parish Fair’s more popular attractions is the art exhibit, where students showcase their artistic talents. The exhibits were on full display Oct. 1 at the Florida Parishes Arena in Amite
PHOTOS BY RICHARD MEEK
The setting sun casts a shadow over the midway, where large crowds gathered to enjoy the rides and variety of food on Oct. 1 at the opening day of the Tangipahoa Parish Fair
A Hammond Eastside Magnet School cheerleader performs a split as she is airborne. But her fellow cheerleaders assured a safe landing Oct. 1 on opening night of the Tangipahoa Parish Fair at the Florida Parishes Arena in Amite.
Tangipahoa Parish Fair Queen McKenzie Jo Bergeron leads the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance at the Florida Parishes Arena on Oct. 1. The fair was held Oct. 1-5.
Members of Sumner Middle School dance team perform Oct. 1 at the Tangipahoa Parish Fair at the Florida Parishes Arena in Amite.
Food trucks were popular gathering spots on Oct 1, the opening day of the Tangipahoa Parish Fair in Amite.
