The late artist William Hemmerling’s work is currently being shown at the Hammond Regional Arts Center for the August exhibition.  The exhibition titled Tribute to the Masters  also includes works from his series Sweet Olive.  Hemmerling’s original pieces are included as well as dedications to his favorite artists such as Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock. 
The Lion's Roar/Larshell Green

A tribute to Ponchatoula’s own art legend is currently sweeping other local artists and admirers with excitement.  

Self-taught artist William Hemmerling’s work is currently being hosted at the Hammond Regional Arts Center for their artist of the month exhibit.  

Hemmerling’s showcase, Tribute to the Masters, includes many of his original works dedicated to other well known artists that he admired such as Jackson Pollock, Leonardo Da Vinci, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Pablo Picasso and many more.

Tribute to the Masters includes a series of twelve works dedicated to artists he admired. Hemmerling’s showcase also includes other works in his series “Sweet Olive.”

Hemmerling’s work is known to be filled with enthusiasm, spiritual attributes and a sense of fantasy.  It is based off of southern folk culture and his love for people and his surroundings.  Some of the art legend’s works are very hard to find and the Hammond Regional Arts Center is proud to have him as the artist of the month.

“William Hemmerling is a legend to our town because he is from here, he considered this area to be his home,” said executive director of the Hammond Regional Arts Center Katherine Marquette. “We are very lucky to have these pieces on display. No one has seen many of these works due to his passing at an early age, so it is a great reason for everyone to come out to the gallery and view them.”

As a self-taught artist, Hemmerling created most of his works on found objects such as doors, cabinet doors, sheet metal and basically whatever he could find. He used much of the material he found to help give meaning to each piece and to portray information in his paintings. 

This exhibit will focus on his work that emphasizes Hemmerling’s depiction of jazz and blues musicians, such as his poster design of the Jazz and Heritage Festival of 2006, along with his series to honor the world’s past great artists.  

The exhibit had its opening reception on Aug. 5 and is continuing to show until Hot August Night on Aug. 26.  According to Marquette, some of Hemmerling’s original pieces will be for sale during this exhibit.

“This is an opportunity for someone of great admiration of Hemmerling to purchase one of his originals,” said Marquette. “We have two originals for sale, along with multiple authorized digital copies available to purchase.”

The Hammond Regional Arts Center is open Monday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m.  More information and dates for upcoming exhibits can be found on hammondsarts.org.

The Lion's Roar/Larshell Green