Renoir Cultural District Welcomes Van Gogh Inspiration with 'Arts for Everybody' Initiative
Written by EBRPHA
[Baton Rouge, LA] On Saturday, July 27th, the Renoir Cultural District in Baton Rouge celebrated progress with the Arts for Everybody initiative. BREC Tickie Saia Memorial Park was the location for the ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by BREC and The Red Stick Project. Attendees enjoyed poetry read in Louisiana Creole, Spanish, and English, as well as speeches from BREC officials, the Mayor of Baton Rouge, local artists, and the founder of The Red Stick Project. The event was free and took place in the Airnasium activity center.The festivities showcased various public art installations, including murals by Elliott Guillory and a multilingual poem written, read, and illustrated by local Louisiana Creoles and Kouri-Vini language activists, Jonathan J. Mayers and Henry Johnson, and curated by Ellen Ogden. Additionally, attendees enjoyed family-friendly activities like music, snow cones, and health checks.The Renoir Cultural District was designated by the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development, which offers tax incentives to commercial property owners and art sellers. Through collaborative efforts led by community developer and arts producer Evelyn Ware, the district has worked to improve properties and neighborhood security while highlighting arts and culture. The recent redesign of the murals, with input from local artists and children, includes the Starry Night Over Red Stick mural. Ellen Ogden, the artistic director, collaborated with Ware to create a response to Van Gogh’s art that bridges Western art history and the local community.This event served as a model for addressing community, accessibility, and history. By recognizing the diversity in Van Gogh's influences and sharing Louisiana's Creole heritage, the new signage, poem, and murals educate the community on art history and connect it to their unique North Baton Rouge heritage. This collaboration was successful in bridging cultural gaps and fostering pride in the area's multicultural community.