Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 3/27/01
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple   5

SLU CLARK HALL GALLERY HOSTS LECTURE ON "FOLK CEMETERIES"
     HAMMOND -- In conjunction with its exhibits of artwork inspired by New Orleans
unique historic cemeteries, Southeastern Louisiana University's Clark Hall Gallery will sponsor a
lecture on March 29 on rural folk cemeteries.
     Gerald McNeill, an instructor in Southeastern's Department of Sociology and Criminal
Justice, will speak on "Upland South Folk Cemeteries" at 2 p.m. in the gallery.
     A cultural geographer, McNeill studied rural north Louisiana cemeteries as part of his
master's thesis at the University of New Orleans. Unlike the colorful above ground tombs that
characterize the Crescent City's cemeteries, McNeill said rural folk cemeteries have mostly in-
ground burial sites.
     "We the people left behind can learn from cemeteries," he said.
     Through April 6, Clark Hall Gallery is showing "Elysium -- A Gathering of Souls" and
"Cities of the Dead," exhibits of artwork inspired by New Orleans' cemeteries. "Elysium -- A
Gathering of Souls" features New Orleans photographer Sandra Russell Clark's luminous black
and white photographs. "Elysium" is the first exhibition to document the visual, aesthetic and
atmospheric dimensions of the unique above ground cemeteries, which are artifacts representing
200 years of the city's colorful history.
     "Cities of the Dead" highlights the works of Louisiana artists who have found artistic
inspiration in New Orleans cemeteries. Participating artist are Michael Willmon, Evelyn Menge,
Shirley Rab‚ Masinter and Debra Howell.
     For additional information about the lecture, contact Clark Hall Gallery Director Don
Marshall at 985-549-5080/2193.
                             -SLU-
Press release available online at www.selu.edu/NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsp01.htm