Bonnie Camos | Artist Commentary

"Artist Amy Guidry with Gallery 549 Director Don LeBlanc"

I think you should give the people what they want, and I have noticed as of late searches to my blog for info on the Second Saturday Artwalk in Lafayette, LA. So since I am a regular attendee and sometimes exhibiting artist of the ArtWalk, I thought I should provide a schedule for this month.

The April Artwalk is in conjunction with Festival International, so there are some special performances listed. Kind of short notice, but all of this will take place TOMORROW- April 10th.

6:30pm-8:30pm Recycled Cycles Trio Del Rio
6pm-8pm in front of Green Room Rhythm/Soul & Kabuki Kru with special guests Desert Shadows Belly dancers, DJ Dokda J, DJ Prima & DJ Andino
6pm-6:30pm & 7pm-8pm Jefferson St. Market Les Djembles (8 drummers playing West African Rhythms)
6:30pm-7pm Parc de Lafayette The Ryan School of Irish Dance
6pm Corner of Polk & Garfield on Marley’s side Lafayette High Arts Academy (street theater)
6pm-8pm in front of AcA For the Moment (Barbershop Quartet)
6pm-8pm Gallery Sans Souci Nouveau String Band
6pm-8pm Strolling along Jefferson St. Sweet Olive

Acadiana Center for the Arts– 101 W. Vermilion St. / 233-7060
Main Gallery: Through April 24, 2010; Susan Shaw: Moving Violations
Side Gallery: April 10 – 24, 2010; Festival Poster Artist: M. Craig “Whoojoo” McCullen & Bonnie Camos
Vault Series: Through April 24, 2010; Emily Wortman: Out Of The Rice Fields
Art House Circle Gallery: March 30 – April 10, 2010; LJ Alleman Student Showcase

Cajun Spice– 535 Jefferson St / 232-3061
Eclectic Chairs, Mosaics and More by Tanya Falgout April 10 through May 31

Cité des Arts– 109 Vine St. / 291-1122
Vestiges and Songs From a Room, two exhibits by Caroline Goodell

Galerie Eclaireuse– 535 Jefferson St. / 234-5492
Sue Boagni and Paul Schexneider

Gallery 549– 549 Jefferson St. / 593-0796
April Group Exhibition featuring works by over 20 local artists

Gallery R (at The Russo Group)– 116 E. Congress St. / 769-1530
Les Ailes: The Art of Reggie Michael Rodrigue

Pottery Alley– 205 W. Vermilion St. / 267-4453
Esprit du Fest– Jessica Odell Courville

"Was It a Dream?" by Amy Guidry; Visit www.AmyGuidry.com

I wanted to take a moment to write a review of sorts of a local gallery in Lafayette, LA. I’m always interested to see what others are up to, especially when they do their own thing as opposed to just following the mainstream. So when your gallery has its own artwalk and is situated away from the “usual suspects” (i.e. downtown gallery circuit), then it must be Visions Art Gallery.

There is a variety of artwork on the walls at any given time. Some of the artists are well-known in the community, while some are just starting out. There is pretty much something for everyone since the work ranges in style and medium. I recently purchased a Tom Ladousa ceramic piece from there (on sale) and have been eyeballing some de Kooning-esque pieces by Dutch Kepler.

Another quality about the gallery worth noting is the overall atmosphere. This is not a stuffy gallery. If you are in the witness protection program, you may not want to go here because these ladies will know your name before you leave. Bonnie Camos (the director) knows everyone and freely introduces everyone as well. Put it this way- if Bonnie has a myspace page (I have yet to look) then she must have a billion friends. And she genuinely takes an interest in them.

Visions hosts its own artwalk every third Saturday of the month. This falls after the usual 2nd Saturday Artwalk held downtown in Lafayette, and also allows Visions to spotlight its own exhibits. Having only one exhibit to attend makes it easier to take your time and meet the artists as opposed to rushing through to make it to the next gallery before closing. (Although I do love the downtown artwalk as well.) But even if you can’t make it to an opening reception, you can always go during the day, enjoy the art, enjoy the coffee, and make plenty of friends. And maybe add them to your myspace page…

Artist Commentary

Tag Archives: Bonnie Camos

Second Saturday ArtWalk Schedule

Where Everybody Knows Your Name, and They’re Always Glad You Came

Comments and Discussion from artist Amy Guidry