Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center will host an art exhibition celebrating the work of eleven Louisiana illustrators beginning on Friday, October 18. The exhibit includes 100 illustrations from children’s books published in Lake Charles by Ally-Gator Bookbites, an independent publishing company, and will be on display through November 30. 

The illustrators hail from New Orleans to Lake Charles and tons of cities in between. Featured artists include Candice Alexander, Tim Banfell, David Bertrand, Erin Casteel, Lydia Crochet, Anne Dentler, Mary Beth Hebert, Gregory LeBlanc, Kathern Peal, Rebecca Stelly and Paula Windham.

“This show is very personal to me because I have spent years working with each of these illustrators to publish some of the most wonderfully impactful books,” said Tommie Townsley, owner and publisher of Ally-Gator Bookbites. “This exhibition demonstrates the skill and imagination of our illustrators and is diverse in its range of media. A walk through the show is like a walk down memory lane and will have you feeling like a child again.”

A gallery talk featuring many of the featured illustrators is planned for Tuesday, October 29 at 5:30. Following a brief presentation, a Q&A session will reveal insight in the artists’ inspiration for their work.  

Another traveling exhibition, “The Global Language of Headwear,” will open on Tuesday, November 5. A joint reception for both exhibits is planned for November 5 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. There is no cost for admission, and refreshments will be served.

While visiting Historic City Hall, do not miss the Artisans’ Gallery’s Fall Exhibition, which is comprised of the work of 22 local artisans offering an array of ceramics, sculptures, paintings and much more. All works in the Artisans’ Gallery will be available for purchase 

Historic City Hall is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free. Charlestown Farmers’ Market is open on Bilbo Street behind the center every Saturday 8 a.m.to noon. For more information, please call 491-9147 or visit www.cityoflakecharles.com.

LA Illustrators