Montessori School for Shreveport Art Auction: Enjoy food, drink and art Sat., March 5

Invitation by designer Colin Davidson.

The Montessori School for Shreveport 32nd Annual Art Exhibition and Silent Auction will be held Saturday, March 5th, from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 6th, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Shreveport Convention Hall. The theme is "40 Years Of Celebrating The Imagination," in honor of the school's fortieth.

The art auction is the school's largest fundraiser, said auction chairman Jennifer Moorhead. The money raised helps keep tuition within the reach of the average family in the Shreveport-Bossier area.

And, I must add, it is a night in Shreveport when art reigns. The crowd looks, chats, evaluates and bids upon a nifty variety of paintings, sculptures, photography and prints. Somehow certain pieces develop a following; a bidding war and wary competition between the bidders develops. It is all in good fun and the artists may choose to receive 50% of the purchase price.

In 2001 Laura Nanda and my wife, Talbot Hopkins, made a considerable change in the art auction format: they built the event upon work by regional artists. Hopkins prevailed upon the generous Bryan Connell to donate a piece by Hopkins' great aunt, Clyde Connell. The wild bidding war for that piece, "No. 1, 1997," became Montessori legend.

Since then the art auction has been more profitable for both the customers and the local artists. Our art collection has been enriched by our attendance at the MSS Art Auction. May your collection grow this year, too.


Also, please see the Times story by Jennifer Flowers.