The Paul and Lulu University Art Museum is rolling out the welcome mat for members of the military, veterans, and their families.
They can visit the museum for free through Labor Day, thanks to the art museum’s participation in the national Blue Star Museum program.
Museums waive the price of admission for eligible patrons from Memorial Day, May 30, through Labor Day, Sept. 5, as part of the program. It is coordinated by the National Endowment for the Arts; the Department of Defense; and Blue Star Families, a national, nonprofit network of military families from all branches.
Members of the military and veterans, as well as up to five of their family members, are eligible to visit the University Art Museum with proper identification.
Four exhibits are being displayed this summer at the Hilliard University Art Museum.
- “Condition Report: Preserving our Community’s Art Collection” provides a look at fragile artwork that is rarely displayed due to condition issues, and a window into the museum’s preservation practices. Among the 10 pieces are a botanical drawing by Harriet Joor from the early 20th century; a Thomas Sully portrait from 1812; and, a recently restored painting by John McCrady. The exhibit will be displayed until Aug. 13.
- “Creole World: Photographs of New Orleans and the Latin Caribbean Sphere” features over 50 images from the Historic New Orleans Collection taken by photographer Richard Sexton. Some of the photos capture food, architecture and people that are indicative of the city’s distinctive Creole heritage. Others were taken during the artist’s travels to places such as Haiti, Colombia, Argentine, Cuba, and Ecuador. The exhibit will be displayed until Aug. 20.
- “Depictions of Louisiana” showcases paintings and literature that are part of the museum’s permanent collection, and which date from the mid-19th century to the present. The works interpret Louisiana through artist expressions of individuality, belief, space and place. The exhibit will be displayed until Aug. 20.
- “Kate Clark: Mysterious Presence” explores the artist’s work with taxidermy techniques to sculpt humanlike faces using the hides of wild animals. The sculptures convey primal similarities between humans and animals, and evoke questions about identity and societal values. The exhibit will be displayed until Aug. 27.
The University Art Museum features 11,000 square feet of gallery space and is the largest exhibition space between Houston and New Orleans. It houses a collection of 18th- through 21st-century European, Asian and American art. In addition to its permanent collection, it offers changing exhibitions of regional, national and international art.
The museum is at 710 E. St. Mary Blvd., on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus.
Museum hours are: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is closed Sundays and Mondays.
Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for people over age 62, $3 for students between the ages of 5 and 17, and free for children younger than 5 years old. UL Lafayette students, and faculty and staff members can visit for free by showing their University ID card. Guided tours of museum galleries are available with the price of admission at 2 p.m. each Friday and Saturday.
To learn more about the museum, exhibits, and programs visit http://www.hilliardmuseum.org or call (337) 482-2278.
To learn more about the Blue Star Museum program, visit https://www.arts.gov/national/blue-star-museums