The opening reception for the Black Heritage Gallery’s Inaugural Winter Group Show will take place on Friday, Dec. 2, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Lake Charles Historic City Hall.

This collaborative exhibition will feature 17 emerging artists from Louisiana, Texas and France. Stella Miller, director and founder of the Gallery, said all artists have connections to Louisiana, and range from an artist aged 6, Kamdon Nicholas, to an artist in his 70s. The group show will be a unique experience, as every artist on display “varies in experience and perspective.”

Miller said the exhibition was created to create an artistic community and give novice artists an opportunity to gain gallery exposure and experience.

“The Black Heritage Gallery wanted to give emerging artists who have not shown their work, or have had only one to two showings, an opportunity to showcase their art,” she said.

She continued by explaining that curating a gallery requires a new set of skills. “So many don’t have a place to showcase their work or know what it takes to showcase their work in a gallery exhibit. Some don’t understand the importance of framing,” she said. “We coach them along the way to get them ready.”

The collaborative nature of this exhibition has led to a diverse gallery. Miller said each artist is “exploring different themes in their own artistic approach with different mediums.” Artists will have one to four pieces on display each, and utilized artistic mediums will include: oil, acrylic, digital, photography, pen and ink, ballpoint pen and prisma colors.

Artists will be present at the opening reception to speak with guests and discuss the pieces. Refreshments will be available and are sponsored by the Southern University Alumni Federation.

The exhibition will be on view until Saturday, Jan. 7.

The exhibition will feature works from the following artists: Halle Blaney, Naomi Fairley, Gary Trahan, Timothy Lennette, Kennedy Thierry, Grace Bettis, Gaylin Chavis, Ariel Liehe, Angela A. Tardivel, Staice Patterson, Rita Manuel, John Manuel, Titus Bradford, Liam Patterson, Kellie Bartee, Azhia Stewart and Kamden Nicholas.