FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (10/04)
Contact: Diane G. Dufilho, Director, Meadows Museum of Art, 318-869-5014

Let There Be Light Exhibit details

Friends Membership Gala Nov. 13 Coincides with Meadows Museum Opening of Let There Be Light: The History of Lighting Implements from Ancient Times through the 20th Century

	Monumental Candle Lamp in the Form of a Sphinx; ca. 1885-18; Earthenware: glazed in the "Majolica" formula; repousse copper and glass beads; overall, HxWxD: 13 1/2 x 9 1/2 x 5 in.; 34.29 x 24.13 x 12.7 cm New Orleans Museum of Art: Gift of Brooke Hayward Duchiin

SHREVEPORT, LA — Lights! Lights! Lights! The Shreveport-Bossier community is being invited to light their way into the holidays with a special Friends of the Algur Meadows Museum Membership Gala in the downstairs galleries of the Meadows Museum of Art at Centenary College.

The gala will be held Saturday, Nov. 13 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. in conjunction with the premiere of the exhibition Let There Be Light: The History of Lighting Implements from Ancient Times through the 20th Century from the New Orleans Museum of Art. The exhibit will be on display Nov. 13 - Jan. 30.

Light is the theme of this year’s gala that kicks off an annual membership event hosted for the community by the Friends. In keeping with this year’s theme, outside white lights will define the live oaks and hand railings while sidewalk luminaries will blaze a trail leading into the Meadows Museum foyer.

Meanwhile, inside of the Museum Friends Board Members have draped silver and white holiday decorations at entranceways to catch the holiday glow and shimmer throughout the galleries. Skirted tables in matching tones set throughout the museum and a specially constructed side tents will be filled with trays of heavy hors d’oeuvres and sweet treats.

In the main gallery, visitors will listen to musical accompaniment while surrounded by 2,500 years of magnificent lighting devices from ancient Roman oil lamps to modern candlesticks and candelabras. Decorations and treats will continue into the newly designed Museum Store that offers handcrafted luminaries by American craftsmen, historically accurate replicas of Roman oil lamps and gift ideas from stocking stuffers to one-of-a-kind items for the holidays.

The annual gala has been created as part of a new membership program designed by the Board of the Friends of the Algur Meadows Museum and is planned around the concept of the New Orleans Museum of Art’s Odyssey Ball.

Cost for the Friends of the Algur Meadows Membership Gala is $5 per member, $40 per non-member and $60 for non-member couples. Non-member fees cover the cost of an annual membership for both non-member individuals and couples.

For more information or to be placed on the Friends of the Algur Meadows Museum mailing list, call 318-869-5040.

______________________________

The Meadows Museum of Art is located on the campus of Centenary College of Louisiana at 2911 Centenary Boulevard in Shreveport. The Museum is open from noon to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; from noon to 5 p.m. on Thursday; and from 1 to 4 p.m. on weekends. The Museum is closed on Monday. The Museum is free of charge. To receive a 2004-2005 Exhibition and Program Guide, call the Museum at 318-869-5040. To schedule a group tour, call the Museum Education Department at 318-841-7271.

- 30 -