SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA, USA:Susan Duke presents “Ephemeral Earth” on Earth Day with musical accompaniment by Blind Uncle Keith

Rainforest Art Foundation is proud to feature Susan Duke’s “Ephemeral Earth” as the signature art exhibition on Earth Day, April 22, 2017 at the Marlene Yu Museum, 710 Travis Street, Shreveport, LA 71101 from 2:00PM-5:00PM.  Blind Uncle Keith will be performing Pete Seeger covers and peace songs to celebrate RAF’s Love Nature, Love Each Other motto, as well as his own music.

Susan Duke says of her art, "My paintings are created as an antidote to anxiety...  I am guided by both the need to retreat into nature, and by the surprising, mysterious spark of divine spirit I find there.”

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) recently awarded Susan Duke the "National Women in the Arts" honor for her 20-plus years in gallery and art shows, community service to further the arts, and permanent public art installation. She was recently chosen by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to have her graphic design work translated into bas-relief decorative 5-by-8-foot medallions on the I-49 overpass piers through downtown Shreveport.

Keith W. Johnston, “Blind Uncle Keith”, began singing at age 3 and playing guitar at the age of 14. His influences are diverse and eclectic.  His style is a combination of acoustic and electric rock, blues, and country.  During the 80’s he toured the South with Departure, Zion, and Cross. His current CD is entitled, “Holding On To My Memories” and he is available to play at a variety of venues.

Director Stephanie Lusk said, "In many ways, Susan Duke's work resonates and matches so well with Marlene Yu and the Rainforest Art Foundation: sensitive to the beauty, power, and fragility of the earth, able to speak on its behalf through inspirational expressionist painting, and creative with gorgeous masterpieces you want to own… They make you want to jump right into their paintings."

Free with RSVPmymuseum@gmail.com and suggested $10 donation to benefit the Foundation.

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA, USA: 📷🍷🚶 5th Annual International Nature Through The Lens Exhibit & Downtown Artwalk

Professional photographer Guang Zhao Che's artwork is featured in Rainforest Art Foundation's 5th Annual International "Nature Through The Lens" exhibit, opening at the Marlene Yu Museum at 710 Travis Street, Shreveport, Louisiana 71101 during Downtown Artwalk Wednesday, February 1, 2017, 5-8 p.m. 

"Like an ecosystem, we are all connected. People around the world, in Shreveport-Bossier, in downtown, with animals and the earth, we learn to live together in harmony," said RAF Director Stephanie Lusk. 

Free with RSVPmymuseum@gmail.com and suggested $10 donation to benefit the Foundation.

Shanghai-born New York photographer, graphic designer, print designer, and advertising executive Jack Lee took this photo "Full Steam Ahead" on an Inner Mongolian prairie in Chifeng, where Qing emperors autumnally enjoyed horseback riding.  

RAF's 5th annual "Nature Through The Lens" artists are Huzhong Cai (Peter), Cheto Castellano, Yuwai Chan, Feng Chang, Guang Zhao Che, Yong Chen, Daniela Finke, Walter Fogel, Leni Fuhrman, Jiangou Guo, Hans-Jürgen Herrman, SooJung Hyun, Jiankang Jin, Jean Philippe Kadzinski, Yulia Kirschner, John Kwok, Jack Lee, Ken Lee, Bill Leonardi, Shao Gang Li, Pei Chang Miao, Ansheng Liu, Dayan Liu, Hui Liu, Jingru Luo, Mai Lu, Ying Nung Ma (Susan), Robert Morgan, Lissette Olivares, Fernando Patallo, Gerald Pisazowski, Yvonne Rubie, Chengliang San, Helga Schuhr, Ke Ming Shen, Chi Shen Wong, Wei Tang, Cheung Yu Tai, Jinghui Tian, David Wang, Fiona Wang, Mozhi Wang, Jeffrey Cyphers Wright, Rong Zhen Xie, Fang Xu, Fu Wu Zhang, and Ai Long Zhang. 

Rainforest Art Foundation's annual international photography exhibit, "Nature Through The Lens" travels from New York to Louisiana and Switzerland.  

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA, USA: Amazing Flowers: Do Plants Talk?

Rainforest Art Foundation's traveling photo exhibit of strange-looking flowers becomes interactive in Shreveport, Louisiana, leading viewers to question whether plants communicate and what they may be saying at the wine and cheese opening reception …

Rainforest Art Foundation's traveling photo exhibit of strange-looking flowers becomes interactive in Shreveport, Louisiana, leading viewers to question whether plants communicate and what they may be saying at the wine and cheese opening reception of "Amazing Flowers: Do Plants Talk?" Friday, October 21, 5-7 PM. 

"In this interactive exhibit, we see the art of nature itself, we wonder about 'Mother Nature' as the artist, and viewers are welcomed to interpret what 'she' may be trying to convey through her work," said Director Stephanie Lusk.

Free with RSVPmymuseum@gmail.com and suggested $10 donation to benefit the Foundation.

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA, USA: Give for Good - Free Climb @ Climbossier

Join us at Pro27's Climbossier rock climbing facility for FREE rock climbing on Give for Good day. Learn more about Climbossier and Rainforest Art Foundation while enjoying snacks, door prizes, and free climbing! 

Where: 3700 Old Shed Rd Bossier City, LA (type this address into your GPS - do not google Pro27, it will take you to the old address)

When: Tuesday, May 3, 2016 from 5-8 pm.

Cost: Free

Food, door prizes, and donation stations will be available. Multiple activities will be available for different ages and skill levels, including novice and experienced climb routes, and bouldering for small children. 

This meaningful partnership helps to further the RAF mission to increase appreciation of nature through arts, including alpine arts and outdoor skills development. The goal is to get more people in to try climbing and raise awareness of nature-inspired arts in North Louisiana.

**Children under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian there to sign a consent waiver, age 15 and under must have supervision from a parent or guardian for the duration of the event, and children age 16 and older may be left with a signed waiver and picked up afterwards. All participants must have closed toed, tight fitting tennis shoes in order to climb.

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA, USA: 1UP Fundraiser

HELP THE MARLENE YU MUSEUM AND RAINFOREST
ART FOUNDATION CLIMB UP THE STAIRS AND GROW!

Donate

In our first year, Marlene Yu Museum and Rainforest Art Foundation have created nature art exhibitions, partner events, kids’ programs, a fashion line, and Shreveport's first contemporary art museum. It's been hugely successful because so many people have come together and put in so much LOVE--love of nature and each other.  We are so grateful for your help in getting us off the ground, but we're not done yet!  We're now ready to take it to the next level, and we need your support to '1UP' our efforts.  

OUR 1UP GOALS

1. LEVEL UP our Museum's second floor

Let's grow our donor tree to reach the second floor of the Museum and open a permanent exhibition hall for Marlene Yu’s popular Dream Series.  We're knocking down walls and increasing ceiling heights for a beautiful community space.  You saw what we did with the 1st floor and Main Exhibition Hall to present the Grand Opening of the Marlene Yu Museum, Marlene Yu's "Forces of Nature", her signature "Water - Element of Life" exhibit, Green Arts Party, and RAF's Earth Day Celebration--wait 'til you see what's next!  

2. LEVEL UP our Foundation's reach

We're putting Shreveport "on the map" by partnering with regional and international institutions, and having MYmuseum incorporate social media so that each visitor's experience near and far can be individualized as desired.  Her dream is make it a global movement--RAF started in New York City, headquarters in Louisiana, USA, expanded to Zurich, Switzerland, and soon Frankfurt, Germany.  We featured local and international nature arts: Beauty & Spirit of Nature, Disappearing Nature, Walk on the Wild Side with Don Edwards, Wild Mushroom Photography, Nature Through the Lens, Recycled Sculptured by John Norwood, Sculptures by Dennis Cady, Shreveport artists at RAF in NYC, and local partnerships at Lucky Sevens institutions, Bayou to Bay's Better Beach Bash, ClimBossier, and other locations soon to include local schools and assisted living facilities.  Let's grow seeds Marlene Yu has planted with the Rainforest Art Foundation’s environmental green movement in art to be accessible to more people on local, regional, and international levels.  

Donate

STAY CONNECTED &
TRACK OUR PROGRESS

The Museum has truly become a special place for many people. There are so many people who believe in this project and want to see it come to its full vision: 

1. Humans of Marlene Yu

Inspired by Humans of New York, we're releasing several short testimonials featuring people who want to share their stories about the Marlene Yu Museum on Facebook as HOMY - Humans of Marlene Yu. 

2.  Super Mario

Super Mario will leap to the next step as we reach our funding goal.  We're off to a great start with 10 golden steps left!  

We hope you will help us make these dreams come true. 

Please help us raise $60,000 by May 31st.  Thank you for helping us LEVEL UP. 

HOW YOU CAN HELP: 

LEAVE A PERMANENT MARK:

The 12 steps leading to this floor are your opportunity to leave a permanent mark on this phase of the Museum’s growth.  Each step is $5,000, which includes your name branded on a golden plaque, so that every visitor who ascends may appreciate your impact. Other donation levels may include recognition in the form of painted leaves on the stairwell wall. All donations made at these "step" and "leaf" levels are 100% tax-deductible. 

$5,000 - Gold Step

$2,500 - Silver Leaf

$1,000 - Green Leaf

GET A LITTLE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK:

Take home some Marlene Yu swag when you donate at these levels. You can check out the prizes mentioned below in our online store. These prizes are available only to those who can come to the Museum to pick them up during the month of May (and not available through the Give for Good fundraiser on May 3). 

$500 - Marlene Yu Print and her Nature & Cosmos collectible book ($370 tax deductible)

$250 - Marlene Yu Poster ($190 tax deductible)

$100 - Small Dream Series Poster ($80 tax deductible)

$50 - Choice of a set of note cards or postcards ($30 or $40 tax deductible)

All donations of any size are welcome and appreciated! Thank you for your support. To make your donation now please click the tab below.

Donate

SPECIAL THANKS TO STEP & LEAF DONORS

as of April 27, 2016

GOLD STEP

Katy Miller Merriman in memory of my mom, Jean

SILVER LEAF

We're waiting for you...

GREEN LEAF

Dr. Willard & Frances Washburne

THANK YOU TO ALL 1UP DONORS

Your name here...

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA, USA: Annual Earth Day Celebration

Rainforest Art Foundation's Annual Earth Day Celebration sponsored by Lusk Eye Specialists is on April 22 from 6-9 pm. Admission is free w/ suggested $10 donation per family.

We are so excited to be teaming up with CoCreative to bring you great performances by Rella, Kopacetic, Vela Nora, & Magnolia Mae.

Other performances include an Interactive Drumming Session with Caren Procter from Lotus Studio and a come-as-you-go yoga session with Davis Adrienne from Explore Yoga.

Local artist booths including The Agora Borealis, Su Stella and Curt Harville, Whitney Tates, Sysica, Christina Washington, Alex Richardson, Natural Nirvana Jewelry by Kate Callahan, Jessica Lundy, and Jnanne Zepeda!

Various local culinary artists will be set up with tapas-style tasting plates for $3 a plate.

Green non profit and other organization booths including Chimp Haven, DoTerra Essential Oils, Mendet Naturally, and ARI, Ltd. by Benjamin P Arnold will be set up with information on what they offer.

Children's activities will populate the museum including Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park with an owl activity, Natural Materials paintings with Deb Palmer from Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy at K12, and Kassandra Gatch will lead RAF's very own Biology & Art Exploration activity.

Amongst all of this there are still 5 exhibits currently showing within the Marlene Yu Museum!

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA, USA: Opening Reception - "Sculptures" by Dennis Cady

Dennis Cady, based in New York City and the Hudson Valley, will be showing Sculptures by Dennis Cady at the Rainforest Art Foundation from March 17 through May 27.

The opening reception will be on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17 from 6-8 pm, as part of RAF’s 1st Annual 2016 Green Arts Party. The Party is free with a suggested $10 donation, and will feature a cash spiked green apple smoothie bar, sea foam chocolate, and nature-inspired arts. More info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/825489730909881/

In a career spanning nearly 40 years, Cady has traveled and painted in all regions of the United States, including New York and the Hudson Valley, Long Island, the Catskill and Adirondack regions, the Southeast, Southwest, Midwest, and Northwest from where he hails, as well as Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Labrador, France, and Spain. His expertly crafted wood sculptures reflect his travels.

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA, USA: 1st Annual St. Patrick's Day Green Arts Party

Enter chartreuse gates to spiked green apple smoothies, cascading sea foam chocolate, and nature-inspired arts at the opening reception of Sculptures by Dennis Cady and the 1st Annual 2016 St. Patrick's Day Green Arts Party THU MARCH 17 from 6-8 pm. Sponsored by Lusk Eye Specialists. Cash smoothie bar. Free w/suggested $10 donation to benefit the Museum.

After-party at Zocolo :)

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA, USA: Kids Can: Oceans of Adaptation

NOW SHOWING through March 4, 2016

Kids Can is a collaborative installation featuring four different species of fish and their adaptations. The project involved the collection of recycled bottles, the decoration and lesson for the fish species, the assembling of the bottle fish, and the final installation using additional recycled materials.

Program designed by Rebekah White

Installation by Iris MacLean and Ashley Purland

Bottle Fish by community volunteers of all ages

Recycled bottles donated by River Park Church

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA, USA:"Abstract Nature" Mixed Media Exhibition Opening Reception

Help us ring in the New Year with a new exhibit in the RAF Gallery featuring art from local and international artists. Get a new view of the natural world through the eyes of an abstract artist.

Friday, January 22, 2016 from 5:00p-7:00p. 

Admission is free w/ a suggested $10 donation to benefit RAF.
Light refreshments will be provided.

Featured artists include:
Dennis Cady, Steve Culp, Susan Duke, Robert Fogel, Katy Merriman, Anthony Reans, Ellen Soffer, Jeremiah Teipen, Lauri Wallace, Laura Watts, Grace Ge Yao, Chuandai Hsieh Yu, Heather Evans, Jason Phipps, Antonio Pizarro, and more...
 

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA, USA:Celebrate MYM's First Birthday with the Founder of RAF

Celebrate our 1st Year Anniversary! We've accomplished so much, have great plans ahead, and can't wait to share it all with you. We need your support as we continue our mission to preserve, present, document, and interpret the life and art works of Marlene Tseng Yu, with "Water-Element of Life", a breathtaking show! 

WHEN:
Thursday January 21, 2016 @ 5:30-8:30pm

WHERE:
Marlene Yu Museum
710 Travis Street
Shreveport, LA 71101

Interested in becoming a Sponsor

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA, USA:Louisiana Wild: A Special Evening with C.C. Lockwood

Join The Nature Conservancy in LouisianaThe Community Foundation, The Alta and John Franks Foundation, and the Rainforest Art Foundation as we celebrate the release of photographer C.C. Lockwood's new book, "Louisiana Wild: The Protected and Restored Lands of the Nature Conservancy." 

The Shreveport Times wrote an amazing article here: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/life/2015/10/14/love-beauty-louisiana/73940368/

C.C. will present images from the book, accompanied by music and stories. It will be a night to remember! 

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2015
6:00 - 8:00 PM @ the Marlene Yu Museum 
FREE and open to the public

**BOOK SALE AND SIGNING FOLLOWING THE PRESENTATION

For more information call The Nature Conservancy (225) 338-1040 or email The Community Foundation of NWLA at info@cfnla.org

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA, USA:"Walk on the Wild Side" with Don Edwards

"Walk on the Wild Side" with Don Edwards

Rainforest Art Foundation will open for the Fall with its very first individual artist show at the Shreveport location. Everyone is invited to come take a walk on the wild side with us at the opening reception Tuesday, September 15, 2015 from 5:00-6:30 pm. Original paintings and giclees will be available for sale, with one-third of proceeds to support RAF's mission.  Light refreshments will be served and the reception will be FREE with suggested $10 donation. RSVPmymuseum@gmail.com

RAF Members are invited to join the artist after the reception for dinner (Dutch treat). RSVPmymember@gmail.com

Naturalist, photographer and wildlife artist, Don Edwards' work captures intriguing and realistic moments in nature. He has traveled to Colorado's Rocky Mountains, Wyomings Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Alaska, two trips to Africa - The Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya and Kruger National Park in South Africa has allowed him to witness, photograph and paint some of earth's greatest wildlife images.

Event on Facebook