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LEH and teachers go to Washington |
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 The LEH, financed by two $1 million U.S. Department of Education "Teaching American History" (TAH) grants, organized American history workshops at four of Washington, D.C.'s most important historic institutions for public school teachers in Calcasieu and Caddo parishes. The teachers - 12 from Calcasieu and 9 from Caddo - were graduates of last summer's TAH Institutes at LSU in Shreveport and McNeese State University in Lake Charles. These institutes were sponsored by the LEH and TAH grants to Caddo and Calcasieu public schools. During the three-day visit in late September, teachers attended workshops at the Library of Congress, the National Archives, the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery and American Art Gallery. While there, teachers received instruction in how to use original documents and Internet resources at those institutions in teaching American history. This was the third and final year for the grant in Caddo Parish. |
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LCV Fall 2008 edition on the street
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 The Fall 2008 edition of Louisiana Cultural Vistas features the cover story, "Krista Jurisich's New Orleans Immortelle," about kaleidoscopic photographic quilts of New Orleans inspired by the French tradition of immortelles, icons created to revere the deceased. Other features include:
- Highland-Fairfield: The Historic Heart of Shreveport by Eric J. Brock
- Perils of the Mississippi River by Sally K. Reeves
- Harvest of Life by Daniel d'Oney, Ph.D.
- King Oliver: The Forgotten King of Jazz by Roger Hahn
- Eye of the Storm photo essay by Sandra Burshell
- Soul Resin, fiction by C.W. Cannon, Ph.D.
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LEH to host legislators at Humanities Education Center
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 On Oct. 7th, the LEH will hold a special reception for Louisiana legislators at the LEH's new state-of-the-art Education Center at Turners' Hall in New Orleans. Hosting the event are state Senator Cheryl Gray and state Representative Karen Carter Peterson. The Education Center, which includes interactive, distance learning, and Internet technology, was made possible in part by state capital outlay funds. For more information about the reception, contact Brian Boyles at 504-620-2632 or boyles@leh.org.
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PRIME TIME plans focus groups in Florida and New Jersey
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 The National Endowment for the Humanities awarded PRIME TIME FAMILY READING TIME, Inc., a $275,212 grant to support 20 bilingual programs across Florida, Michigan, Oklahoma, New Jersey and New York during 2008. As a part of the evaluation process for this grant, the New Jersey State Library and the Florida Humanities Council are collaborating with PRIME TIME staff to follow up with participating family members upon completion of the PRIME TIME programming in their states. The purpose of the focus groups will be to obtain data and to document changes in the reading behaviors of the participating families.
Faye Flanagan, Director of PRIME TIME, will meet with families in Clewiston, Florida, on Sept. 22. On Oct. 1, 3 and 4, Dr. Olivia Pass, Associate Director of PRIME TIME, will meet with families who attended PRIME TIME programs in Kearny, Princeton and Patterson, New Jersey. These meetings will be structured to obtain valuable feedback regarding specific outcomes and general impressions of the attending individuals. These focus groups will contribute to the ongoing research and development of PRIME TIME's outreach strategies and contribute to more effective long-term planning.
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KnowLA welcomes Tulane intern
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 KnowLA is pleased to have Tulane University junior Kyle Raese join us for the fall semester. Kyle, a history major, is originally from Boise, Idaho. When he first visited the Tulane campus and the city, he was struck by the different culture. Kyle lived in England for two years, where he was inspired by his historical surroundings, and being in New Orleans has offered him more opportunities to explore the subject of history not just through coursework, but through the great "mixing of heritages" that he observes here.
LEH joined Tulane's Community Partnership Program to offer students an opportunity to fulfill their public service requirement by contributing to the encyclopedia. Kyle believes that this aspect of campus life is unique to Tulane and helps define the university's positive role in the city. This program harnesses students' energies to give back to the community, and it also helps students connect to the community, taking them beyond the campus, he notes.
While his internship at LEH and KnowLA is not the "normal community service outlet," like building houses or helping in soup kitchens, the work he does here "helps in other ways. People all over the state will be able to learn about their unique culture. There are many aspects to community service."
During the fall semester, Kyle will assist KnowLA staff in creating and inputting data. His major project will be a multimedia digital tour of historic sites.
For more information about KnowLA, contact Dr. Catherine Corder at 504-620-2637 or corder@leh.org.
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PRIME TIME seeks applications for spring sites in Louisiana
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 PRIME TIME seeks applications for spring sites in Louisiana
If you would like to bring PRIME TIME, LEH's award-winning family literacy program, to your Louisiana venue or community, please complete the appropriate PRIME TIME application found on LEH's website (See "Access" below) and submit it to the LEH no later than Oct. 15. First-time applicants are encouraged to contact a team member to discuss grant details (Faye Flanagan: flanagan@leh.org; Dianne Brady: bountifulw@aol.com; Olivia Pass: pass@leh.org; Shantrell Adams: adams@leh.org; or Miranda Restovic: restovic@leh.org). Public libraries, schools, community centers and other institutions are invited to apply. What PRIME TIME does:
- Reinforces the role of the family.
- Trains parents and children to bond around reading.
- Encourages parents and children to read and discuss humanities topics (history, literature, and ethical issues such as fairness, greed, honor, and trickery), fostering high academic expectations and achievement for children in English language learners, low-literacy and/or low-income families.
- Encourages English language learners, low-literacy and/or low-income parents to enter or continue their own educational or ESL programs.
- Helps parents and children learn how to select books and become active users of library resources and lifelong readers.
Access the new PRIME TIME applications in WORD or PDF here.
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Smithsonian "Museum on Main Street"
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 Kaplan: A major traveling Smithsonian Institution exhibition on the roots of American music will be on display through Oct. 15 at Le Musée de la Ville de Kaplan. "New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music" explores the American story through the diverse musical genres that evolved from our nation's unique blending of cultures and experiences. Through panel displays and interactive kiosks, the exhibition includes material on sacred songs, blues, country, rock'n'roll and more. Each of the six Louisiana communities hosting the exhibition through 2009 mounts a local exhibition, and presents public humanities programs which showcase our state's rich and diverse musical heritage. For more information, contact the museum at 337-643-1528. Ferriday: "New Harmonies" continues its Louisiana tour in Ferriday, where it will be on display at the Delta Music Museum from Oct. 23 to Dec. 5. For more information, contact the museum at 318-757-9999. This month, organizers will offer the following public programs in conjunction with the exhibition: - Oct. 18, 7 p.m.: Dr. Hiram F. "Pete" Gregory of Northwestern State University and Hezekiah Early with his House Rockers will co-present an informance on the origins and influence of Delta blues music. The presentation will highlight the contributions of such artists as Pee Wee Whitaker and Bud Scott.
- October 23, 6:30 p.m.: Grand opening reception featuring Bro & Two Sisters from St. Joseph Arts, Inc. demonstrating a variety of roots music forms.
- Oct. 26, 3 p.m.: Dr. Richard Hood of the University of Louisiana-Monroe will present a lecture and demonstration based on his extensive research on the life and music of Chet Atkins.
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RELIC: Readings in Literature & Culture
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 Gustav and Ike rock Louisiana, too.
If we thought that Queen Elizabeth I rocked the Louisiana humanities world (see the September e-newsletter), Gustav and Ike really rocked it by barreling over whole parishes with tree-snapping wind gusts, drenching rains and storm surges. Many programs were re-scheduled or cancelled. Fortunately, the LEH had to cancel only three programs: Abbeville (Becoming American), Goodwood branch in Baton Rouge (Encounter in Louisiana) and East Jefferson Regional (Encounter in Louisiana). Others were re-scheduled: Bluebonnet branch in Baton Rouge, Galvez in Ascension, Many in Sabine, Morgan City in St. Mary, and Watson in Livingston. Given the enormous disruptions and distractions caused by these tropical storms, the fact that so many locations have opted to re-schedule these programs attests to the sustained public interest in RELIC and the importance of the programs in the activity calendars of public libraries and other institutions.
See below for an updated RELIC fall schedule. Please call the local hosting library for more information about programs offered in your area.
Bastrop, Morehouse Parish Library. 318-281-3696. The Creole Identity and Experience in Louisiana Literature and History. Tuesdays, Sept 16-Oct. 28, 6:30-8:30 pm.
Baton Rouge, Bluebonnet Branch, East Baton Rouge Parish Library. 225-763-2285. I'll Be Seeing You... America and World War II. Wednesdays, Sept. 17-Oct. 15, 1-3 p.m.
Covington, St. Tammany Parish Library. 985-893-6280. Elizabeth I of England and Her Times. Wednesdays, Oct. 15-Nov, 19, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Galvez, Ascension Parish Library. 225-647-3955. Battleground Louisiana: Civil War Events and Experiences. Tuesdays, Sept. 16-Oct. 21, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Many, Sabine Parish Library. 318-256-4150. I'll Be Seeing You.. .America and World War II. Tuesdays, Sept. 9-Oct. 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Morgan City Public Library. 985-380-4646. Battleground Louisiana: Civil War Events and Experiences. Sept. 23-Oct. 28, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Natchitoches, Natchitoches Parish Library. 318-357-3280. The Creole Identity and Experience in Louisiana Literature and History. Mondays, Sept. 8-Oct. 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
New Iberia, Iberia Parish Library. 337-364-7024. Louisiana History: Perspectives on the Pelican State. Thursdays, Oct. 9-Nov. 13, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
New Orleans, Latter Branch, New Orleans Public Library. 504-596-2625. Louisiana History: Perspectives on the Pelican State. Mondays, Sept. 22-Oct. 27, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Stonewall, Desoto Parish Library. 318-925-9191. I'll Be Seeing You... America and World War II. Thursdays, Oct. 2-Nov. 6, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Vidalia, Concordia Parish Library. 318-757-3550. The Creole Identity and Experience in Louisiana Literature and History. Mondays, Sept. 8-Oct. 13, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Winnfield, Winn Parish Library. 318-628-4478. Elizabeth I of England and Her Times. Tuesdays, Sept. 23-Oct. 28, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
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LEH-sponsored events
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Arnaudville: The Cultural Research Institute of Acadiana, CRIA, will host Moncton Rock, Acadiana Cri. This multidisciplinary group exhibition with over 30 artists and musicians from Moncton and Acadiana, Moncton Rock, Acadiana Cri is a rare spotlight on contemporary Acadian and Cajun artists from both North and South Acadie. The exhibition spans four generations of artists and covers many interrelated art forms - music, poetry, theater, literature, painting, musical instrument crafts, graphic design, drawing and video. Acadiana art pieces, ephemera and memorabilia will be added to the pre-existing Moncton Rock exhibition created by the Galerie Saw Gallery (Ottawa, Ontario) on display this past summer.
- Oct.16, 6 p.m.: Opening reception with music by Acadian artist Roland Gauvin;
- Oct. 17, 7-9 p.m.: Panel discussion featuring Dr. Barry Jean Ancelet, Dr. David Barry, Dr. David Cheramie, David Greely and Mary Broussard Perrin, who will discuss the similarities and the difference between Cajun and Acadian culture. The discussion will be followed by a musical performance at Nu Nu's. For more information, contact Lucius Fontenot at 337-280-3798 or lucius.fontenot@gmail.com.
- Oct. 25, 9 a.m.- noon: Table Française at Steeple Vue Gallery.
 Baton Rouge: The 6th annual Louisiana Book Festival will be presented free to the public on Oct. 4 at the Louisiana State Capitol, the State Library of Louisiana, and the Louisiana State Museum, in Baton Rouge, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. For more information, please contact James Davis at 225-342-9714, or jdavis@state.lib.la.us, or visit www.louisianabookfestival.org.
Baton Rouge: Ida Kohlmeyer: Standing Among Giants, Louisiana Art and Science Museum, Oct. 4 - Jan.11. Kohlmeyer (1912-1997) was one of Louisiana's few modern art pioneers, and the region's best-known female artist by the time of her death at age 84. Balancing the roles of wife, mother and professional artist, Ida Kohlmeyer did not begin her artistic career until she was middle-aged; yet, she quickly earned national acclaim. This exhibition of painting and sculpture demonstrates the influence that leading masters, including Hans Hofman, Mark Rothko and Joan Miró, had upon the development of Kohlmeyer's distinctive style, characterized by organic and geometric forms, dazzlingly bright colors, and a personal vocabulary of signs and symbols. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Weinstein at 225-687-3799, or eweinstein@lasm.org. As well, please visit www.lasm.org.
 Lafayette, Lake Charles & New Iberia: The Louisiana Crossroads informance and broadcast series continues.
- Oct.16: Houma bluesman Tab Benoit will share his stylistic diversity in these intimate performances accompanied by Alexandria native, bassist, producer, songwriter and founding member of Louisiana LeRoux Leon Medica, Central School Theater, Lake Charles, 7 p.m. (live broadcast on krvs.org);
- Oct.17: Sliman Theater, New Iberia, 8 p.m.;
- Oct.18: Blues at Begnaud, Lafayette.
For more information, contact Vicki Chrisman at 337-233-7060, or vicki@louisianacrossroads.org, or visit www.louisianacrossroads.org.
Lake Charles: The Imperial Calcasieu Museum presents a new multimedia exhibition titled Java: Louisiana's Coffee Roasters, which chronicles the rich story Louisiana's coffee industry. Coinciding with the 90th anniversary of the Community Coffee Company, the exhibition will include oral histories from industry pioneers and historians, folk crafts inspired by coffee, a collection of early memorabilia, and examples of period equipment and bean types. For more information, please contact the Imperial Calcasieu Museum at 337-439-3797.
Metairie: The Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival presents the seventh annual season of "Coffee and Conversations: A Series of Library Discussions." A collaborative effort with the Jefferson Parish Library, the series consists of four scholar-led public interviews with noted authors, followed by a question-and-answer session. All presentations take place at the Jefferson Parish Library's East Bank Regional branch. This month's presentation, a discussion with author Danella Hero and literary illustrator Michael Ledet, will be facilitated by author and scholar Dr. Patricia Brady. The session is scheduled for 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15. Additional presentations are scheduled through November. For more information, contact the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival at 504-581-1144.
Napoleonville, Houma: Fletcher Technical Community College presents a series of readings and discussions with 2007-2008 Louisiana Poet Laureate Dr. Darrell Bourque. Public sessions are scheduled as follows: Assumption Parish Library in Napoleonville, 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1; Fletcher Technical Community College, 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2; and Terrebonne Parish Public Library in Houma, 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2. For more information, please contact project director Suzanne Martin at 985-858-5744.
 Shreveport: The Meadows Museum of Art in Shreveport, Louisiana, is currently hosting its Open the Vault Exhibition and public program series throughout the fall season. The event focuses on recent acquisitions/gifts and select works loaned to the museum from private collections. This month's programming includes:
- Sunday, Oct. 5: The Life and Works of Emilio Amero, a community lecture featuring Ariel Zuniga, expert and current author of a catalogue on the work and life of Emilio Amero, 2- 4 p.m. in the museum galleries.
- Oct. 5: Board of Friends of the Algur Meadows Museum annual fundraiser and gala at Ernest's Orleans Restaurant with special guest Ariel Zuniga, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Oct.11: The Etching Process a workshop with Diane Duflilho, Printmaker and Director of the Meadows Museum, at the Centenary College Art Department, 10 a.m.-Noon.
- Oct. 26: New Work and the Maya Creation Myth with Maria Lopez, 2-4 p.m. in the museum galleries.
- Oct. 27: Artist's Circle with Maria Lopez, 2-3 p.m. in the museum galleries.
For more information, contact Diane Dufilho at 318-869-5014, or ddufilho@centenary.edu, or visit www.centenary.edu/meadows.
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NEH Picturing America initiative
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 Great art speaks powerfully, inspires fresh thinking, and connects us to our past.
Picturing America, an exciting new initiative from the National Endowment for the Humanities, brings masterpieces of American art into classrooms and libraries nationwide. Through this innovative program, students and citizens will gain a deeper appreciation of our country's history and character through the study and understanding of its art.
The nation's artistic heritage-our paintings, sculpture, architecture, fine crafts, and photography-offers unique insights into the character, ideals, and aspirations of our country. Picturing America, a far-reaching new program from the National Endowment for the Humanities in cooperation with the American Library Association, brings this vital heritage to all Americans.
By bringing high-quality reproductions of notable American art into public and private schools, libraries, and communities, Picturing America gives participants the opportunity to learn about our nation's history and culture in a fresh and engaging way. The program uses art as a catalyst for the study of America-the cultural, political, and historical threads woven into our nation's fabric over time.
Collectively, the masterpieces in Picturing America, used in conjunction with the Teachers Resource Book and program web site, help students experience the humanity of history and enhance the teaching and understanding of America's past. NEH's application deadline is Oct. 31, 2008. For more info: http://picturingamerica.neh.gov/
Louisiana schools and public libraries are encouraged to apply to NEH for the reproductions and resource guide. Successful applicants may then apply for LEH grants to produce supplemental programs. Contact LEH grants director Walker Lasiter at lasiter@leh.org or 504-620-2631 or 800-909-7990 x132.
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