To help celebrate the Louisiana State Bicentennial, the West Baton Rouge Museum presents an outstanding collection of paintings by George Rodrigue who is Louisiana's artist laureate. The exhibit, Select George Rodrigue Paintings, runs from March 12 to June 24, 2012.  The 15-painting series called "The Saga of the Acadians" is the center piece of the exhibit. Made possible through the George Rodrigue Foundation, the series is loaned for exhibition by the Gauthier Family of New Orleans, Louisiana.
The Gauthier Family purchased the collection in 2007 to pay homage to their Cajun heritage. The paintings represent the hardships the Acadians encountered in order to preserve their identity after they were exiled from Canada. In keeping these paintings in one collection, the Gauthier family has made it possible to share the story of the
Acadian struggle as depicted by Rodrigue.  In addition to this series, the exhibit will include artworks depicting Rodrigue's famous canine, Blue Dog, which was inspired by Cajun ghost stories of the loup-garouRodrigue has created a true Louisiana icon in his popular Blue Dog paintings, and the Blue Dog has in turn captured the hearts of today's Louisianans.

"Paint Like a Blue Dog" at the West Baton Rouge Museum

Port Allen: The West Baton Rouge Museum is hosting a free Saturday morning family workshop on March 31 from 10 a.m. – Noon entitled "Paint Like a Blue Dog" to accompany the Select George Rodrigue Paintings exhibit. This exhibit is on loan from the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts and will be on display March 13 through June 24. The workshop will feature an interactive gallery tour followed by a painting workshop in the museum's classroom space where participants will explore line, color, emotion, and background as they create a new scene for Blue Dog. This program is being offered in celebration of the bicentennial of Louisiana's Statehood. Reservations are recommended.  Please call (225) 336-2422 x 15 for reservations.

For more information please call (225) 336-2422 x 15, or toll free 1-888-881-6811. The West Baton Rouge Museum is located at 845 N. Jefferson Avenue, Port Allen, LA, 70767.