The City of Lake
Charles will host IDA AND EM, an exhibition honoring
two ballet legends of Lake Charles, at the
Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural
Center. The exhibition
will open with a reception on Friday, November 30 from 5:30-8pm and will hang
through February 2.
In 1950, two friends, Ida
Winter Clarke and Emily Coleman, began a collaboration; Ida as a choreographer
and dance teacher, and Emily as a costume and ballet set
designer/executor.
The dedication and
creativity of Clarke and Coleman acted as the catalyst to bring the world of
ballet to Lake Charles.
The IDA
AND EM exhibition honors not only these two remarkable women, but also
the men and women who gave their time and devotion to promote ballet in
Calcasieu Parish, and the hundreds of aspiring young dancers who were a part of
this enormous effort.
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Ida and Emily’s most notable
creation, “The Nutcracker”, premiered at the historic Arcade Theatre in 1963
with nine future productions over a 30 year period. This was the first
full-length performance of “The Nutcracker” in the southeastern United States,
and required two years of work and hundreds of loyal volunteers. Many more
ballets were mounted, and many more young people were inspired by the beauty
and discipline of dance. The exhibition encompasses a period of 3 decades, from
1956-1986, and includes dozens of vintage costumes, set designs and sketches,
as well as photos of the dedicated and talented performers, designers and stage
hands. Also included is a short film containing memoirs from many of the people
involved in this 30 year effort. See how Ida and Em set the stage for the
today’s young dancers.
Also
opening on the same evening will be Paint on my Fingers in the first
floor gallery. Artist Mary Hillier will present to meet and greet guests.
Hillier was born in Lake Charles and now resides
in Lafayette. As
a child of French-speaking parents, she remains humble and close to her roots through
art. Her exhibition contains her
favorite subjects including the figure, human face and all God’s creatures.
Hillier’s images are transferred from her inspiration straight onto the canvas.
She said, “They are mostly abstract and usually colorful. Several images repeat
among people and pets such as roses, sunflowers, flamingos. All have meaning to
me. Perhaps you also think of a rose as a scent from heaven? A sunflower as a
staff of pure power and righteousness? A beautiful bird as a messenger?” Her hands are her tools, thus the title of
her show.
Historic City Hall is open Monday
through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission to the arts and cultural center is
free, however donations are gladly accepted.
For more information, please call 491-9147 or visit www.cityoflakecharles.com.
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