LRMA presents Art Symposium Feb 23 | Events

The following is a press release from the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art:

In conjunction with the opening of its new exhibit Southern Journeys:  African American Artists of the South the Museum will hold an Art Symposium on Feb. 23 at 1 p.m. in the Lower Level Lecture Hall.

Stella Jones, M. D., is co-curator of the Southern Journeys exhibition. After 20 years as an OB-GYN, Dr. Jones and husband, Harry, started an art gallery that gives voice to the artists of the African Diaspora.  Situated in the heart of downtown New Orleans, Stella Jones Gallery has become a well-respected venue and features an impressive group of established and emerging artists. Dr. Jones has traveled all over America, Africa, the Caribbean, South America, and Europe to forge relationships with artists.

John H. Barnes, Jr., a native of Louisiana, attended Southern A & M University where he majored in art.  He did graduate study at Memphis College of Art where he earned a master of fine art degree in sculpture.  He then began his academic career at Dillard University where he is currently Program Coordinator of the Visual Arts program.

Mora J. Beauchamp-Byrd, Ph.D., is assistant professor of art history and curator of university art collections in the department of art at Xavier University.  She served as assistant professor of museum studies at Southern University at New Orleans and prior to that was assistant director for Mellon Initiatives in the research and academic program at The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA.  Earlier in her career, she was director and curator of the visual arts department at the Amistad Research Center, Tulane University in New Orleans.  She received a bachelor’s degree in art history and a master’s degree in visual arts administration from New York University.  Additionally, Beauchamp-Byrd earned a master’s degree in art history from Columbia University.  In 2011, she received a doctorate in art history from Duke University.

The symposium is free and open to the public.  The symposium is supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.   

Lauren Rogers Museum of Art is a private, non-profit organization operating for the benefit of the public. The Museum is located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Seventh Street in historic downtown Laurel.  Hours are 10 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. Tues. – Sat. and 1 - 4 p.m. on Sunday.  Admission is free, but donations are accepted.   For information call 601.649.6374 or visit www.LRMA.org.