Mignon Faget Artfully Defending the Gulf Coast
The first lady of New Orleans jewelry, Mignon Faget. Photo by Glade Bilby II.
New Orleans can count on Mignon Faget, the first lady of New Orleans jewelry. In the past, she’s been there to defend the architectural history of the city by donating her first gallery building to the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans. She’s been there to help restore the historic New Canal Lighthouse on Lake Pontchartrain. She’s even helped bring home musicians displaced after Katrina.
New Orleans, and the Gulf Coast, can count on her today, as well. Ms. Faget has introduced a collection of jewelry designs that bring attention to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana.
A darkened oyster with black ribbon flowing. From the "In Mourning" Gulf Coast collection.
Ms. Faget has taken pieces from her earlier works that were inspired by Gulf Coast wildlife and redesigned them to reflect the impact of the oil spill. The new collection is titled “In Mourning” and is intended to be worn as such. Wildlife pins of pelicans and redfish are backed with black ribbon. A silver oyster necklace is oxidized to symbolize oil stains. The chain on a bracelet holding crabs and shrimp charms is dark as oil. Large tuna and tarpon brooches are to be worn “belly up”.
Taking jewelry that was originally designed to highlight the beauty of coastal wildlife and modifying it to reflect the effect of the oil spill is a poignant display of art imitating life. “It is a heartbreaking statement to make with jewelry originally designed to celebrate the abundant gifts of our coast,” says Faget, “but the reality is that we need to make people aware of this disaster and the long-term effects on this region. We all need to do what we can.”
Some can do more than others. Ms. Faget has certainly done more than most. She began her career as a clothing designer, but soon shifted to jewelry. As a native New Orleanian, she found inspiration for her designs in the local floral, fauna and architecture. Her collections so capture the heart of New Orleans that she has become an institution, being described by Frommers’ travel guide as “one of the biggest personalities in New Orleans’s jewelry universe, and a piece from here is as much a must for a New Orleans lady as a Tiffany piece is for an NYC one.”
With 40 years of jewelry design, Ms. Faget has earned a national reputation as well. Dillards now carries a line of her creations.
The Faget collections, which number over 30, began with the SEA collection in 1970, in which Ms. Faget used the design of local sea shells and ocean creatures to create wearable natural art. Other collections include BAMBOO, inspired by local bamboo gardens, IRONWORKS, which honors the unique wrought iron and cast iron seen in French Quarter architecture, and FLEUR DE LIS, her creative use of the symbol of all things New Orleans. After Katrina, Ms. Faget donated a portion of the sales of the Fleur De Lis line to the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation, which helps artists and art institutions return to New Orleans.
A black ribbon backs an oil darkened oyster in this pin from the "In Mourning" Gulf Coast collection.
The heart and soul of New Orleans runs through Mignon Faget. It is visible in her creations. It is proven by her public spirit. She is a jewel which is as timeless and unique as the Crescent City. And when New Orleans needs her help again, she will be there. You can count on it.
For more info visit www.mignonfaget.com
Categories: Baton Rouge Louisiana, Louisiana, New Orleans Tags: art, Baton Rouge, conservation, jewelry, la, louisiana, Mignon Faget, new orleans, nola
Gulf Coast Art Festivals
From Texas to Florida, the natural beauty of the Gulf Coast is in such abundance that the area could be considered a work of art all by itself. It makes perfect sense then that there are a bevy of art events held each year all along the beaches and the bays. Gulfscapes has found a few art festivals that are certainly worth a visit this summer and into the early fall.
29th Annual Eastern Shore Art Center’s Grand Festival
October 8-9, 2011
An outodoor art festival featuring over 100 artists exhibiting in beautiful downtown Fairhope. Free admission. Saturday & Sunday – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. 251-928-2228 or www.esartcenter.com
14th annual ARToberFEST
October 15 & 16, 2011, Downtown Galveston, Texas
www.artoberfest.com
Thousands gather amid the relaxing charm of historic downtown Galveston for this weekend of exquisite art each year. This juried fine arts festival will feature over 125 artists with a wide array of original works, as well as music and food, all in the great outdoors. But this event isn’t just about beautiful pieces of art. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the AIDS Coalition of Coastal Texas and the Galveston Island Humane Society. The festival also offers booth space to student artists at no charge, allowing them to gain experience in marketing and selling their works.
Dauphin Island Art Trail
Oct 15, 2011
Beautiful and historic Dauphin Island will be home to an Art Trail featuring numerous local and regional artists, such as David and Linda Miller, Dena McKee, and Mary Anderson Pickard and Chris Stebly– both related to famed artist Walter Anderson – exhibiting and selling their work at nine retail locations across the Island. Bellingrath Gardens and Home in Theodore will join in the celebration of art by featuring various regional artists in conjunction with the Dauphin Island Art Trail. Whether you’re an avid arts aficionado, casual collector, or a weekend beach vacationer, the inaugural Dauphin Island Art Trail will prove to be an ideal and laid back environment from which you will be inspired to take in the beauties of life, art and nature at your own leisurely pace. In addition to the opportunity to engage first hand with some of the region’s most prominent artists and purchase their art at this inaugural event, each Art Trail patron will be given a card to be stamped at each of the nine Art Trail locations on Dauphin Island. Cards which receive stamps from all nine of the island locations will be entered into a drawing and eligible for numerous prizes. 251-490-0294 or www.alabamacoast.org
22nd Annual Hyde Park Village Art Fair
October 29-30, 2011, Hyde Park Village, Tampa, Florida
www.artfestival.com
Over 150 artists and arts exhibitors will converge on Hyde Park Village in Tampa with works ranging from massive sculptures to delicate jewelry and everything in between during the Art Fair. Visitors will also enjoy live entertainment, shopping and delicious food. The Fair is a juried show, which means each participating artist is hand-selected from hundreds of applicants to ensure only the highest quality, original artwork is on display. You also have the opportunity to interact with the artists. All of the work is available for purchase, and with prices ranging from $15 earrings and $50 prints to $20,000 sculptures, there’s something to fit any budget.
33rd Peter Anderson Festival
November 5-6, 2011
33rd Peter Anderson Festival will be held on downtown, on November 5 & 6. The event is hosted by the OS Chamber and presented by Blue Moon. Vendor booths SOLD OUT. APPLICATIONS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. 228-875-4424
Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival
November 4, 5 & 6, 2011
Held in Seville Square, Pensacola, FL, the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival is one of the most highly regarded and popular arts festivals in America. The Festival, a three-day, juried art show, comes to Pensacola’s historic Seville Square the first weekend in November. Each year, it draws more than 200 of the nation’s best painters, potters, sculptors, jewelers, graphic artists, craftsmen, mixed-media artists and others who have been gifted with the ability to turn inspiration into art. www.ggaf.org
Corpus Christi Festival of the Arts
March 30– April 1, 2012
This free event includes Italian street painting, dance, music, theater, cinema, juried artisan vendors, and a KidZone.
361-949-1995 www.ccfestivalarts.org
43rd Annual Rockport Art Festival
July 7 & 8, 2012
Rockport Center for the Arts, Rockport, Texas
361-729-5519, www.rockportartcenter.com
Catch a cool breeze coming off the water while perusing a wide variety of art at this annual celebration of all things creative. Over 120 artists, including potters, painters, wood carvers and more, will be showing their work bayside across from the Rockport Center for the Arts.
The Rockport Center for the Arts was started in the 19th century when informal groups of Rockport artists gathered to share their interests. Today, the Center boasts a state-of-the-art main gallery as well as two parlor galleries that are dedicated entirely to the works of the Center’s member artists.
In addition to art, at the festival visitors will find food, music, a kids’ activity tent and more. With so much to see and do, the event is a definite “can’t miss” for families. Another plus? The large food tent is air conditioned, providing a welcome escape from July’s heat.
Monthly Art Events along the Gulf Coast
Corpus Christi ArtWalk – First Friday of every month 5:30- 9 pm
La Retama Park, Corpus Christi, TX 78401
ArtWalk is a monthly Downtown Corpus Christi event organized by the Downtown Management District in association with K Space and artist sponsor David L Phillips. www.artwalkcc.com
Categories: Activities, AL, Alabama, Art, Coastal Bend, Corpus Christi, Events, Florida, Galveston, Gulf Coast States, Key West, Louisiana, Mississippi, Port Aransas, Rockport, South Padre Island, Texas, Things to Do Tags: al, art, art festivals, artist, events, festivals, fl, gallery, la, ms, tx
2011 Fall Festival Preview for Gulf
Voodoo Music Experience
Oct. 28 – 30, City Park, New Orleans, LA
Every year, the Voodoo Music Experience places New Orleans under a weekend-long spell of music, food, crafts and culture. The festival began in 1999 and has grown tremendously ever since, rivaling even JazzFest for attendance and big-name entertainment. For three whole days, the festival takes over City Park with two main stages and several smaller stages, not to mention countless local food and beverage vendors. Many local shops also take their goods to the fest and sell everything from clothing to jewelry, art, and everything else in between. Some of the main headliners at this year’s VoodooFest are as follows: The Original Meters, Snoop Dog, Soundgarden, Blink-182, The Raconteurs, Fatboy Slim, Girltalk, TV on the Radio, Ray Davies (of the Kinks), Ani DiFranco with Ivan Neville and Herlin Riley, The Wombats, Dirty South, Ozomatli, The Stone Foxes, Soul Rebels Brass Band. www.voodoo.dostuff.info.
Crooked River Lantern Festival
Oct. 28 – 29, Crooked River Lighthouse, Carrabelle, FL
Carrabelle’s historic Crooked River Lighthouse is the setting for this made for Halloween nighttime festival that features glowing lanterns hanging from trees, spooky shipwreck adventure tales and even a special night-time climb to the top of this historic maritime beacon. www.crookedriverlighthouse.org
22nd Annual Hyde Park Village Art Fair
Oct. 29 – 30, Hyde Park Village, Tampa, FL
Over 150 artists and arts exhibitors will converge on Hyde Park Village, in Tampa with works ranging from massive sculptures to delicate jewelry, and everything in between during the Art Fair. Visitors will also enjoy live entertainment, shopping and delicious food. The Fair is a juried show, which means each participating artist is hand-selected from hundreds of applicants to ensure only the highest quality, original artwork is on display. You also have the opportunity to interact with the artists. All of the work is available for purchase, and with prices ranging from $15 earrings and $50 prints to $20,000 sculptures, there’s something to fit any budget. www.artfestival.com
Woofstock 2011
Nov. 5, Clear Lake Park Landolt Pavilion, 5001 Nasa Parkway, Clear Lake, TX
Party in the Park with your Pooch! Plan on woofing it up at Woofstock 2011. This Smile-Making event is the major fundraiser for Bay Area Pet Adoptions/SPCA and is a great day of fun for families and their dogs. All proceeds go to the care of the animals in our adoption program. The admission price includes an event T-shirt! Woofstock 2011 includes dog contests with prizes, breed rescue groups, dog micro-chipping services, training and socialization advice, pet psychic Petrene Soames, a Santa photo booth, retail booths for shopping, demonstrations by the Houston Canine Frisbee Club, a Houston C3 Corvette Club display, food, raffles, and much more. Gates open at 11 a.m. rain or shine. For more information visit www.BayAreaPetAdoptions.org.
© 2011 Gulfscapes Magazine. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. | To Purchase Use Email Gulfscapes | 361-548-6804
5th Annual Port Aransas Art Walk – PA ARTABOUT
5th Annual Port Aransas Art Walk (aka-PA ARTABOUT) October 15th 4-8 pm Sponsored by Art Center for the Islands a 501 (C) (3) Non-Profit Corp. and the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce. Stop by these locations for refreshments and meet and greet with artists and their art. Enhance your life with ART!
Galleries, Artist Studios and Design Establishments
This art walk is planned to encourage and promote art and culture and let everyone know Port A is Port Arty! Starting in Old Town and winding out HWY 361,this is a self guided tour of these arty locations and you can start your tour at any point and follow the map, which will be available at all locations. This is a great opportunity to get out and walk, bike, or take a cart, and learn more about the art culture in this community. These 15 different venues are all free and open to the public, meet a variety of folks, mingle, have refreshments at each location and meet others who share a passion for art, or encourage a friend or neighbor to come along. Art Center for the Islands is a 501 (C) (3) Non-Profit Corp. Promoting Art & Culture Island Style since 1996. Inquiries 361-749-7334 artcenter@centurytel.net www.portaransasartcenter.org
Potters on Cotter – 413 E. Cotter
Debra Wilbanks Williams Studio – 118 W. White
Steve Vaughn Studio – 226 W Roberts
Bam Bam Artwares – 403 N. Alister
Port A Gallery – 345 N. Alister
Art Center for the Islands – 323 N. Alister
Nancy Stephenson & Tiddle Caylor Studio – 238 Bujan
Port A Glass Studio & Art Gallery – 401 Beach St.
Cita Resort Interiors – 129 N. Alister
Donna Van Baalen Studio- 303 S. Station
Studio L. Leon – 1307 Whispering Sands St.
Felder Gallery – 1726 St. Hwy 361 Tower Center
A Mano – 1726 St. Hwy 361 Tower Center
Mustang Island Art Gallery – 2222 Hwy 361
Ida Ayala Pauken Studio – 660 Sand Key Dr.
Potters on Cotter- Potters on Cotter will be revamping in new directions this year. Sole proprietor ‘Brenda Barnett’ is running the show now with her best selling photo cards, jewelry & new works by a few more pottery friends. Same place, same location, same fun!
Host-Brenda Barnett & Friends
>Debra Wilbanks Williams-Debra, an award winning Texas Artist, lives and creates in Port Aransas. She opens her studio to the public once a year for the “PA∙ART∙ABOUT”. Enjoy a peek at this unique work space in “Old Town”. Host Debra Wilbanks Williams, family and friends!
>Steve Vaughn Studio- An opportunity to view a truly unique artist’s work space. Steve Vaughn’s studio on West Roberts Avenue has been his primary place to paint for the past 25 years and features works actually painted on the floor, walls, and ceiling. This is a rare chance to visit an authentic and unusual work place of a full-time artist. Hosts Nancy & Steve Vaughn
>Bam Bam Artwares- An artisan boutique located in Old Town, Bam Bam Artwares features unique gifts, jewelry, and colorful wares created by local (and a few regional) artists. Visit us in the purple shop and see what’s a-happenin’ andwww.bambamartwares.com Hostess Flora Caylor Buerger
>Port A Gallery- Port A Gallery offers an extensive collection of original art by award winning Texas artists. Whether you are interested in paintings, sculpture, photography, or unique glass work, Port A Gallery will have something to fit your coastal home or recuerdo a great vacation. Visit us at 345 N Alister in the heart of old town Port Aransas, Texas or browse our website www.portagallery.net. Hosts Rick & Cameron Pratt, Linda Morgan, and Richard Millan
>Art Center for the Islands- Come by to view & purchase one of a kind art from over 200 artists, in a variety of mediums-paintings, photos, pottery, jewelry, glass, sculpture, wood, etc. in assorted subject matter- birds, fish, beach, boats , abstract & more. Also stop in to see If there are any of the hand painted Historic Tarpon Inn Café Chairs left (they go on sale 5:30pm-First Friday)
Hosts-Art Center Board Members, Volunteers & Director Mary Rose
>Nancy Stephenson & Tiddle Caylor Studio- will be showing art in a cottage setting. Tiddle Caylor’s work includes a number of colorful abstract landscape paintings of the seacoast and a ranch in West Texas. Nancy Stephenson has photographs from New York and paintings from her series “ON THE BORDER” on view in the cottage & studio area. Hosts-Nancy Stephenson and Tiddle Caylor
>Port A Glass Studio & Art Gallery> Sheri Hargrove is a glass artist living in Port A., originally from Minnesota. Sheri has been working with glass as a medium full time since her first class in’08. She is excited about the new glass studio and art gallery and invites you to stop in and watch her work. Kiln firings happen weekly. Studio Hours: 11-6 Monday through Saturday and until 5pm on Sunday (extended hrs. when firing) Hosts- Sheri Hargrove & Jeremy Bowen
>Cita Resort Interiors- “Visit Cita for a unique global experience right here in Port Aransas. We offer an eclectic variety of unusual art, home furnishings, clothing and jewelry from all over the world.” Hosts -Shana Heard & Kay Kuhne
>Donna Van Baalen Studio- says, ”My studio consist of my working studio where I have works in progress and my paintings in miniature. Throughout the house you will see my oil paintings of all sizes and subject matter. I have still lifes, florals, landscapes, bird, animals and portraits. Most of these paintings are framed and they are for sale.” Host -Donna Van Baalen
>Studio L. Leon - oil on canvas using mediums including Galkyd & Megilp, manipulating the surfaces to achieve blistered and distressed nuances he calls “decomposing realism”. Come by and visit the artist at his island studio and see his coastal themed artwork in the context of the beach house. Enjoy snacks and beverages while you peruse the collection and see his latest work-in-progress. (361)749-4040 lleon@studiolleon.com Hosts – Pamela and L. Leon Sands
>Felder Gallery- This colorful gallery features a mix of traditional and contemporary styles for anyone looking for quality fine art. Themes vary, but the main focus is coastal art. The gallery features the artwork of oil painter, Larry Felder. View Felder’s paintings and other local, regional and national fine artists represented by the gallery at www.feldergallery.com. Host -Robby Felder
>A Mano- offers Folk Art, Talavera ceramics, pottery, textiles, glass and home décor all handmade and selected from artists in Colonial Mexico. Hosts -Deb Trumpy and staff
>Mustang Island Art Gallery- Book Signing of Flint Reed Paintings and Original Art works by National & Internationally known Artists from Texas, the United States and Europe. Visit our website: www.MustangIslandArtGallery.com Hosts- Jill and Flint Reed
> Ida Ayala Pauken Studio- As a newly relocated clay artist I am opening my small studio to the public for this special day. I do mostly figurative work. Come see the clay process and some of my work. Look forward to answering anyone’s questions about the pros and cons of working in clay. Host- Ida Pauken
