(March 12, 2014)

Artist Kim Thompson opens exhibition at Meadows Museum March 15

SHREVEPORT, LA — The Meadows Museum of Art at Centenary College will host "Kim Thompson: Up Close and Personal," a collection of 25 original, expressionist acrylic paintings, beginning March 15. The free exhibition will open to the public with a reception, hosted by the Friends of the Meadows Museum, on Saturday, March 15, 5:30-7:30 p.m. An artist talk will begin at 6:00 p.m.

The pieces in Thompson's exhibit, created between 1994 and 2003, are largely focused on the human figure and relationships.

"People are endlessly fascinating to me, in all of our drama of day-to-day living," said Thompson. "Their images stay with me until I am able to get them onto canvas. I am drawn to depict how we really look, how we look at each other, and how we see ourselves and our lives."

Thompson is a special educator in Bossier City, teaching students with severe disabilities. She employs art in the classroom every day to enhance her students' learning:

"Art helps us to develop as much understanding as possible and also to overcome sensory and tactile issues."

The artist attributes much of her artistic inspiration to her parents.

"I was 'raised in a museum,' as my father collected antiques and other fine art from around the world that I was able to examine at leisure," said Thompson. "My mother, Berne Potter Haines, painted huge structures which covered our walls, surrounding us with gorgeous paintings."

Thompson's exhibit will run through April 20.

The Meadows Museum of Art is located on the campus of Centenary College of Louisiana at 2911 Centenary Boulevard in Shreveport, LA. The Museum offers free admission and is open from 12-4 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday; from 12-5 p.m. on Thursday; and from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For more information or to schedule field trips, contact the Museum at 318.869.5040.