Ann Marie Auricchio
Press Release
In a groundbreaking partnership, the Christwood Atrium Gallery in Covington, Louisiana, will host the exhibit, BeCauseway featuring works from the esteemed Ferrara Showman Gallery in New Orleans. The exhibition is meant to bridge the divide between the North and South Shores. Since its establishment in 1998, the Ferrara Showman Gallery has been at the forefront of contemporary art, exhibiting visionary artists from around the world, including Cuba, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and Venezuela. The gallery is "a collective environment of creative visions, a commercial gallery with a public conscience. Offering a forum for the exchange of ideas, the gallery’s program features contemporary artists whose aesthetics reflect a sense of purpose, mission, and message, encompassing diverse mediums from painting and photography to public sculpture, video, and installation art."
This collaboration is the latest in a series of initiatives spearheaded by Ann Loomis, curator of the Atrium Gallery, to expand artistic engagement and visibility. In May 2024, Loomis extended an invitation to the Lacombe, Louisiana, Art Guild to showcase its members’ works after their gallery was forced to close due to severe storm damage.
“Exhibiting at the Atrium Gallery is an incredible opportunity for our artists,” remarked Kathleen Garey, the Guild’s incoming president. Loomis viewed it as an opportunity not only for the artists but also for the broader community, stating, “This collaboration will elevate the visibility of both the Atrium Gallery and the Art Guild, fostering a deeper appreciation for regional artistry.”
This initiative inspired Loomis to forge additional partnerships, beginning with the Saladino Gallery in Covington, which featured works by Phyllis Beisert and Carol Hallock, two of the gallery’s acclaimed artists.
“This collaboration significantly expands the exposure of the more than two dozen artists I represent,” said Danny Saladino, owner of Saladino Gallery. “The exhibition space at Christwood is both stunning and expansive-spanning over 5,800 square feet. I eagerly anticipate future exhibitions that will spotlight my artists’ works in this exceptional setting.”
As these partnerships evolved, Loomis recognized the need for a strategic vision for the Atrium Gallery’s future, guided by the following core principles:
The Atrium Gallery is dedicated to supporting artists on both regional and national levels.
The arts are essential to enriching the human experience.
Regional galleries must be supported and celebrated.
Artists thrive through communication and collaboration.
Expanding venues for artists’ works strengthens communities.
A meaningful commitment to artists is essential.
The creative arts bring vitality and resilience to the community.
With these guiding principles in mind, Loomis sought to broaden the gallery’s reach beyond its home base. This led her to the dynamic Julia Street art district in New Orleans, where she found an ideal collaborator who shared her values and vision.
Loomis approached Jonathan Ferrara, co -founder of the Ferrara Showman Gallery. After thoughtful deliberation and discussions with his partner, Matthew Showman, Ferrara agreed to join the Atrium Art Alliance, marking a significant step in uniting regional and national artistic communities.
Press Release cont'd
“Ferrara Showman Gallery is proud to collaborate with The Atrium Gallery and bring a diverse group of artists to the North Shore community as we continue to expand our reach right here in our back yard. We will feature 11 artists in the exhibition hailing from New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, Dallas, St. Louis, and Dallas. The gallery always strives to partner in exciting opportunities that can showcase the depth and creativity of our gallery artists. Featured artists will include
Ann Marie Auricchio - New Orleans, LA
Amanda Joy Brown - Bay Area, CA
Tiffany Calvert - St. Louis, MO
Tony Dagradi - New Orleans, LA
Jenny Day - Santa Fe, NM
Margaret Evangeline - San Antonio, TX
Brandon V. Lewis - Baton Rouge, LA
Kristin Moore - Dallas, TX
Anastasia Pelias - New Orleans, LA
Gina Phillips - New Orleans, LA
Aimée Farnet Siegel - New Orleans, LA
Paul Villinski - New York, NY
“Creativity flourishes in communities open to fresh ideas in the creation and presentation of the visual arts. The time is right to explore the richness of visual culture presented in traditional and non-traditional partnerships to benefit the artists, community, and the presenting partners,” Loomis stated.
About Christwood
Situated on 119 acres of beautifully landscaped woodlands, Christwood is located at 100 Christwood Boulevard in Covington, Louisiana. Visitors can access the Christwood Atrium through the Brewster Road entrance. The Atrium Gallery is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For further details or to request images of the exhibited artwork, please contact John Maginnis at johnmaginnis2@gmail.com or call (985) 590-8816.
