Renowned Artist Alan Flattmann to Conduct Workshop

New Orleans artist Alan Flattmann will conduct a two day oil painting workshop from April 14th and April 15th at the Creative Arts Center located at Associated Louisiana Artists at 106 W. Pryce Street in Lake Charles. Flattmann's career spans over forty years, and he has become one of the most influential and recognizable artists in the country. 

Flattmann's work has been published in numerous art books and magazines, and it has been featured in over sixty solo exhibits and group shows across the world. He is best known for his depictions of New Orleans, and he has led painting tours in Greece, Ireland, and Italy, just to name a few.

The fee for this workshop is $200, and students of all levels and abilities are welcome to participate. To register, call Nancy Czejkowski at (337) 855-9202 or call Gallery by the Lake at (337) 436-1008.

Banners Series Heats Up

The McNeese Banners Cultural Series has, in short, brought an international stage to Lake Charles with a constant cycle of events each Spring that offer renowned musicians, dancers, performers, writers, poets, and historians. This year is no exception, and despite Banners director Mary Richardson retiring, Banners has no plans to lose steam and will continue giving the Lake Area a wider perspective of the world.


On Saturday, March 24th, Banners will present a unique world music performance by Samite in the New Theater at the Shearman Fine Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Joseph Shabalala, founder and leader of Ladysmith Black Mamabzo, said, "When you hear the music of Samite, the soul of Africa is revealed to you." A refugee from Uganda, Samite sings about his difficult and inspiring tale with grace, warmth, and wit. He sings in a bright, sweet tenor, often accompanied by thumb pianos (kalimba), flute, guitar, marimba, and percussion instruments.


Following this, Banners offers weekly performances and events through May of a fantastic spectrum of entertainment and art forms. For more information, visit www.banners.org or call (337) 475-5123.