Southeastern NEWS
Southeastern Louisiana University
Public Information Office
SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
Date: 3/7/97
Contact: Carol Dotson 5
Editors: Artwork accompanies release
HAMMOND AZALEA FESTIVAL AND ARTRAIN SCHEDULED MARCH 20-23
HAMMOND -- The Hammond Azalea Festival, four days of cultural activities, garden
tours and plant sales celebrating a favorite spring-time symbol, will taken place in historic
downtown Hammond March 20-23.
The festival, now in its second year, is a joint project of Southeastern Louisiana
University's Cultural Resource Management Program, the Hammond Cultural Foundation and
the Hammond Downtown Development District. Activities will include art exhibits at Clark Hall
Gallery and the Hammond Cultural Foundation; the "Living Roots of Music" concert at Reimers
Memorial; the Hammond Cultural Foundation's Arts Awards Luncheon; the designation of
Hammond as an official Team City by Entergy Corporation; a variety of Azalea plant sales and
garden tours and the Azalea Farmers Market.
A special addition to the festival this year is a visit by Artrain, the nation's only traveling
art museum on a train. The traveling gallery arrives in Hammond with its new exhibit Art in
Celebration! on March 20. Area schools will have the opportunity to visit the exhibit on March
20 and 21 and the general public can view the 36 contemporary artworks commissioned by the
Smithsonian Associates from 9 a.m. -4 p.m. Saturday, March 22 and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday,
March 23. Artrain is free.
Artrain has been traveling the rails to communities throughout the country since 1971
striving to create an environment that makes art accessible, interesting, inspirational and fun for
families across the country, said Don Marshall, director of Southeastern's Clark Hall Gallery and
--more--
AZALEA FESTIVAL/ADD ONE
coordinator of the university's Cultural ResourceManagement program. Marshall is heading up
the Artrain's Azalea Festival visit.
The new exhibition, Art in Celebration!, features a collection of contemporary artworks
from the Smithsonian Institution by world-renowned artists that celebrates both national and
international events. A demonstration car will feature local artists from Hammond and the
Northshore art community.
Art in Celebration! artists include New Orleans artist Luis Cruz Azaceta, Alexander
Calder, Elizabeth Catlett, Dale Chihuly, Sam Gilliam, Jacob Lawrence, and Georgia O'Keeffe.
Artrain has traveled to 38 states and has delighted more than 2.5 million adults and
children. Artrain expects to reach more than 500,000 people in 100 communities in 40 states
during the current Art in Celebration! tour.
Artrain's visit to Hammond is sponsored by Southeastern, Clark Hall Gallery and the City
of Hammond with major support from the Tangipahoa Parish Tourist Commission, First
Guaranty Bank and Entergy.
Also on the Azalea Festival schedule:
Louisiana Artist Annual. An exhibition of works by faculty and students from
Louisiana universities. Exhibition remains on view through April. Clark Hall Gallery, SLU
campus. Free.
The Living Roots of Music- traces the story of music and instruments throughout
history. Lauren Pelon will perform on over twenty-five ancient and modern instruments
including the lute, shawm, hurdy-gurdy and Kiowa courting flute. Thursday March 20, 7:30 pm
at Reimers Memorial, First Christian Church. Sponsored by the Hammond Cultural Foundation.
$5.00, $4.00 in advance.
Hammond Arts Awards Luncheon- The Hammond Cultural Foundation honors leaders
in the arts. Friday March 21, Noon. 217 E. Thomas. 542-7113. Reservations required. $15.00
per person
--more--
AZALEA FESTIVAL/ADD TWO
Celebrate Hammond- Join us as Hammond is designated a Team City by Entergy
Corporation. Hammond Depot. 300 N.W.Railroad. Friday 5:00-7:00 pm. Free.
Saturday events include:
Morrison Azalea Plant Sale- Benefiting the Hammond Cultural Foundation. 8:00 am
10296 Highway 190, Hammond. 542-7113
Azalea Farmers Market- Three markets in one! Azaleas, plants and other garden items,
flea market items, cakes and preserves all available for sale. 8:30-12:00 pm. 300 N.W. Railroad
Avenue next to the dept. Proceeds benefit the Hammond Downtown Lighting Project.
Azalea Society of Louisiana Plant Sale-Next to the Azalea Garden and train depot. 8:30
am - noon.
Azalea Gardens at LSU Agricultural Center- 8:30 am-1:30 pm Hammond Research
Station, 21549 Old Covington Hwy., Hammond. 543-4125.
Zemurray Gardens- Visit one of Louisiana's most beautiful gardens. 23115 Zemurray
Garden Dr., Loranger, La. 878-2284. $4.00 adults, $3.00 seniors and children under 12.
Watercolor '97 - an exhibit of watercolor artists from the Northshore at the Hammond
Cultural Foundation.
Walking Tour- Guided tour through historic downtown Hammond. 1:30-3:00 pm. Free.
Shadow Creek Garden Tour- Former Congressman James and Mrs. Marjorie Morrison
open their gardens to the public to benefit the Hammond Cultural Foundation. 1:00-5:00 pm.
Refreshments and tour: $6.00 adults, $1.00 children 12 and under. Tickets available at the gate.
10296 Highway 190, Hammond. 542-7113
For more information on Artrain and the Azalea Festival, contact Don Marshall at
Southeastern Louisiana University's Cultural Resource Management Program at 549-2193 or the
Tangipahoa Tourist Commission at 1-800-542-7520.