The 55th annual Spring Open Exhibit had artworks by a variety of different artists.
Nathaniel Callaway/The Lion’s Roar

The Hammond Art Guild has been hosting art exhibitions for the last 55 years. The exhibits include many entries by known artists, university students or anyone else who wishes to enter.

The Hammond Regional Art Guild’s President and Show Chair Nancy Lowentritt thought that May’s exhibit, titled the 55th Annual Open Exhibit was successful.

“This was the highest number of entries that we’ve ever had in the past 55 years, and the most artists we’ve ever had participating,” said Lowentritt. “We were thrilled to have SLU’s art students participate this year for the very first time. So, hopefully, we’re starting a trend. It’s all so eclectic. It’s not all traditional. There are so many new techniques.” 

The most recent one began on Friday, May 5 at 5 p.m. and will run through May 26 at the Hammond Regional Arts Center. As Lowenright stated, the May exhibition was the guild’s first time having university students participate. One of them won a ribbon in the show. 

Caitlyn Clark entered the show with her mixed media piece titled “Degradation.” Other prize winners included Cheryl Howes for her mixed media piece “Beyond the Ridge,” James Davis for his wood sculpture which he called “Johannes,” Suzanne Shumate with her water color piece “Great Blue Heron March,” Johnny Chauvin and his photograph titled “A Ride at Jackson Square” and Marion Ochs with her Mixed media on canvas titled “Poppies for Ellen.”

Lowentritt explained her excitement for the show and the pieces that were included.  

“For instance, there’s the artist Jim Creel who has a hanging piece, and then another one in purple,” said Lowentritt. “He is actually an expert wood carver, and so, for him to branch out like that is thrilling and really exciting. There’s just so many. We’ve filled up every wall and even brought in some temporary walls. I’m just thrilled with the participation.”

Artist Janet Loupe Davis, who had a stained glass box  lantern in the show, talked about her inspiration for her piece and why she felt so inclined to make it with that particular sheet of glass.

“This was made from a one-of-a-kind glass sheet that I couldn’t have replicated even if I wanted to,” said Davis. “I wanted to do a box lamp, or a box lantern as they’re sometimes called. I wanted it to be simple enough to kind of show off the glass because it’s just so pretty with all the different colors in there. The artists who make the glass just go off on their own fun thing during a whimsical day sometimes, and they’ll just play with the glass. This was one of the resulting sheets which is why it’s one of a kind.”

CB Hume, also known as “The Coffee Painter,” had his own oil on canvas painting of a red building in a swamp hanging in the exhibition.  

“To tell the truth, it’s out of my head,” said Hume. “I didn’t start with a photograph or anything, I just started with a sketch. I’ve been painting steadily since 2001, so I’ve kind of got a little confidence going. This piece still took about three months. Since it was out of my head, I could see it in my brain but what would come out was always trying to be a little bit different. So, I’d get a little frustrated and walk off, and then I’d come back to it and decide to keep painting.”