Fundraiser for local non-profits provides free evening of rock climbing at the new all-levels Climbossier training center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SHREVEPORT, La., July 28, 2015 –The “Climb for the Museum and Norla” night hosted by Norla Preservation Project, FUNdamentals Society of Marlene Yu Museum and Rainforest Art Foundation, and Climbossier at Pro27 Athletics will take place Monday, Aug. 3rd from 5:30-7:30 pm located at 3700 Old Shed Rd., Bossier City, LA  71111.

The Shreveport-Bossier community is invited to help the Museum and Norla with this free with suggested $10 donation community event. All attendees will have a chance to win swag bags filled with local goodies when they sign up for the email list. Prepared Nutrition and Fleur de Crème will provide complimentary infused water, healthy snacks, and ice cream samples.

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

About Rainforest Art Foundation:

The mission of RAF is to increase appreciation of nature through art. Founded in New York City in 2001 by artist, Marlene Tseng Yu, RAF strives to bring together like-minded artists from all over the world. RAF’s headquarters are located at 710 Travis Street, Shreveport, LA 71101. For more information visit www.rainforestartfoundation.org or call (318) 717-9111. 

About Norla Preservation Project:

The mission of Norla is to promote and support historic preservation in North Louisiana and to increase the appreciation of our local history and culture. More information can be found at www.norlapreservationproject.com or by calling (318) 548-3503.

About Marlene Yu Museum:

The mission of the Marlene Yu Museum is to preserve, exhibit, document, and interpret the life and works of Marlene Tseng Yu. MYM opened at 710 Travis Street, Shreveport, LA 71101 in 2014. FUNdamentals Society puts the fun in fundraising to benefit the Museum and partners with other nonprofit organizations.  For more information visit www.marleneyumuseum.org or call (318) 717-9111.

About Climbossier:

Climbossier is the first 24-hour climbing fitness-training center in North Louisiana, located in its parent gym, Pro27 Athletics, at 3700 Old Shed Road in Bossier City. We provide all levels of personal training, host group events, and focus on fun and fitness in a safe environment. We can be reached via facebook.com/climbossier. 

Contact:

Iris MacLean

Public Relations Manager

Rainforest Art Foundation

(318) 840-5213

irisrainforestart@gmail.com

www.rainforestartfoundation.org

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Kids summer program at Rainforest Art Foundation presents science and art education

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BAEP Logo

SHREVEPORT, La., June 10, 2015—The Rainforest Art Foundation introduces the new Biology & Art Exploration Program (BAEP) debuting this summer. BAEP will take place from 9 am – 12 pm every Thursday in July beginning July 9th. The programming for this summer is designed for children ages 3-10, but all ages are welcome. BAEP will take place in the Young Artist Gallery at RAF at 710 Travis Street, Shreveport, LA 71101. Parent or guardian required to be with child at all times. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Admission is free with a suggested $10 donation per family to benefit BAEP.

BAEP is a hands on program designed by Rebekah White to help children learn art and science in a fun environment while making connections between the creative and analytical sides of their brains. The theme for July 9 is Butterflies & Blending. The theme for July 16 is Animals & Abstraction. PEP, a local non-profit group that deals with pet education for kids, will be there for this day with different animals for the kids to learn about. The theme for July 23 is Camouflage & Composition, and the theme for July 30 is Plants & Perspective. Various stations will be set up including an activity paired with a lesson.

The focus of these themes is to help kids better understand concepts of art and biology by teaching these subjects together while using an array of different examples, games, and art projects. BAEP is an ever-evolving project that will be adapted into fieldtrips and other future programming.

The Rainforest Art Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit with the mission to increase appreciation of nature through art. For more information regarding the Biology & Art Exploration Program and to RSVP please visit the Facebook event page at www.facebook.com/events/1578316372456357/.

Contact:

Iris MacLean

Public Relations

Rainforest Art Foundation

(318) 840-5213

irisrainforestart@gmail.com

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Coral reef inspired paintings by Marlene Tseng Yu to show in Bossier as the last exhibition in the Lucky Sevens exhibition series

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The celebrated New York artist presented six series prior in the hometown of her brand new museum, the Marlene Yu Museum, to show her art in the South for the first time

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BOSSIER CITY, La., June 11, 2015—Marlene Tseng Yu presents Crystal Reef Series as the final exhibition of the Lucky Sevens at Bossier Arts Council from June 11 through July 31, 2015. There will be a reception at the Bossier Arts Council Saturday, June 13, 2015, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

The Lucky Sevens is seven different shows at seven local venues in honor of Yu’s 77th year. The prior six shows were at Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, Robinson Film Center, Artspace, Meadows Museum of Art at Centenary College, Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center, and Marlene Yu Museum.

New York art critic, Donald Kuspit, Ph.D., wrote about the Crystal Reef Series in his essay, “Marlene Yu: Cosmic Inscape”.  Kuspit states, “The fractal process of chaos that informs nature becomes self-evident.  One element explodes into another, the entire process studied, with relentless curiosity, in picture after picture, the whole series forming a kind of scientific record of an experiment with raw natural matter as well as a seismographic tracing of a profound emotional experience.”

The Marlene Yu Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit with a mission to preserve, present, document, and interpret the life and art works of Marlene Tseng Yu. For more information visit www.MarleneYuMuseum.org. The Rainforest Art Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit with a mission to increase appreciation of nature through art. For more information visit www.RainforestArtFoundation.org.

The Bossier Arts Council is dedicated to promoting, supporting, and providing cultural events and programming in order to enhance the quality of life and to develop a cultural identity for Bossier Parish. BAC is located at 630 Barksdale Blvd, Bossier City, LA and is open Tuesday-Friday 11 am-5 pm with free admission.

Contact:

Iris MacLean

Public Relations

Rainforest Art Foundation and Marlene Yu Museum

(318) 840-5213

irisrainforestart@gmail.com

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Earth Day Celebration at the Rainforest Art Foundation to include local groups, food, and family fun

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SHREVEPORT, La., April 13, 2015 – The Rainforest Art Foundation located at 710 Travis Street, Shreveport, LA 71101 invites the community to join them from 4:30-7:30 pm on April 22 for their first Shreveport Earth Day Celebration. The celebration is free with a suggested $10 donation and features art, food for purchase, complimentary refreshments, local green organizations, family activities, presentations, live music, and performances.

April 22 also marks the end of the Panda Challenge and the Matching Grant Challenge extended deadline. RAF encourages people to bring cash and old cellphones or tablets to donate to these two challenges. The Panda Challenge is provided by PandaBit as a way to reduce e-waste while educating people of the harmful effects it has on our planet. The Matching Grant Challenge is a $25,000 matching grant opportunity provided by an anonymous donor. 

For the full line-up and updated information about the event please visit www.facebook.com/rainforestartfoundation and check the events or go to www.rainforestartfoundation.org/shreveport-events.

The Rainforest Art Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit with a mission to increase appreciation of nature through art. RAF has a gallery located in the Marlene Yu Museum in downtown Shreveport that features local and international artists. RAF has children’s programs including the Biology & Art Exploration Program held during the summer and an ongoing art collaboration called Kids Can that changes annually.

Contact:

Iris MacLean

Public Relations

Rainforest Art Foundation

(318) 840-5213

irisrainforestart@gmail.com

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Environmental Arts Pioneer Marlene Tseng Yu Unveils Melting Glacier Inspired Series At Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center

Special public programming will be provided as well in honor of National Environmental Education Week and Earth Day.

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SHREVEPORT, La., March 17, 2015 – The sixth exhibition of Marlene Tseng Yu’s Lucky Sevens opened March 17 at Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center in Shreveport. Melting Glacier Series will show through April 26, accompanied by several educational and thematic programs in honor of National Environmental Education Week on April 25 and 26 at Sci-Port, and an Earth Day celebration on April 22 at nearby Rainforest Art Foundation.

The Lucky Sevens is a series of seven different exhibitions at seven local venues in honor of Yu’s 77th year.  Yu, a native of Taiwan and participant in the New York City art scene for much of her life, founded the Rainforest Art Foundation to raise environmental awareness through art.  She is now honored by the Marlene Yu Museum in downtown Shreveport, one of the few museums in the nation dedicated to preserving and presenting the work of a single artist.

Yu states, “[Glacial melting] is my favorite subject. Without my realizing it, the series reflects what has become one of the most important issues today, as human lifestyles and habits increase global warming and cause glaciers to melt rapidly. I hope through my art to convey the urgent message—Earth is in danger, please let us protect it together.” Yu began the Melting Glacier Series in 1965 and continued through 2008.

The first five exhibitions in the Lucky Sevens took place at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, Robinson Film Center, Artspace, Meadows Museum of Art, and the Marlene Yu Museum. The Dream Series currently at the Meadows Museum shows through May 3, and Forces of Nature currently at the Marlene Yu Museum shows through May 31.

Art critic Robert Morgan, Ph.D., said of the series, “…a resilient flow of energy that is boundless and yet miraculously controlled… like good theater where the presence of the director remains unknown…”

During its time at Sci-Port, Lucky Sevens will be celebrated with special public programming provided at the Shreveport science museum, along with related items available in the Discoveries Unlimited Gift Shop. Programs will feature arctic mammal ecology (Blubber Mitts), the science of glaciers (Glacier Gloop), and the importance of keeping pollution out of our watersheds (What’s My Watershed?).

Sci-Port Programs and Education Grants Manager Dr. Heather Kleiner says of the partnership, “Sci-Port always tries to provide our visitors with a comprehensive learning experience. We’re excited to be able to match Marlene Yu’s Lucky Sevens art exhibit with hands-on programming and also the showings of the IMAX® movies To the Arctic and Journey to the South Pacific.”

The Earth Day celebration at RAF will take place April 22 from 4:30-7:30 pm with free admission with suggested $10 donation. At 5:30 pm, Bayou to Bay will give a presentation. Live music by Twang Darkly, and complimentary refreshments as well as food for purchase will be available by culinary artists such as Simply Cotton Candy.

Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center is a 92,000 square-foot science and entertainment center featuring 290 hands-on exhibits, 70 interactive programs and demonstrations, a Space Center and Space Dome Planetarium, IMAX Dome Theatre, gift shop and café. Bayou to Bay (B2B) is a program of Sci-Port with a mission to improve the health of children and waterways through education, action, and play.

The Marlene Yu Museum is a 501c3 non-profit with a mission to preserve, exhibit, document, and interpret the life and works of Marlene Tseng Yu. For more information visit www.MarleneYuMuseum.org. The Rainforest Art Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit with a mission to increase appreciation of nature through art. For more information visit www.RainforestArtFoundation.org.

Contacts:

Claire Floyd

Community Engagement Manager

Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center

(318) 424-8678

cfloyd@sciport.org

Iris MacLean

Public Relations

Rainforest Art Foundation and Marlene Yu Museum

(318) 840-5213

irisrainforestart@gmail.com

Announcement of two exciting opportunities to raise funds for the Marlene Yu Museum and Rainforest Art Foundation

SHREVEPORT, La., March 3, 2015 – The Marlene Yu Museum has received a Matching Grant Challenge from an anonymous donor of up to $25,000. All donations now until March 20 will be leveraged by a 100% dollar for dollar match and go directly towards much needed bricks and mortar construction building expenses at the Museum. Additionally, the Rainforest Art Foundation will work with Pandabit to do the Panda Challenge immediately following the end of the Matching Grant Challenge to honor Earth Day on April 22 with the promotion of recycling electronics.

RAF was selected to be a part of the BETA testing for the Panda Challenge as one of only a few other organizations and causes participating. The participation represents a meaningful partnership for RAF and Pandabit because of shared environmental concerns. The Panda Challenge is the newest evolution of crowdfunding, following the success of sites such as Kickstarter, GoFundMe, and IndieGoGo.

The Panda Challenge is a new fundraising website that allows organizations and causes to promote donations of cell phones, iPods, and tablets to raise money. Organizations and causes can challenge their followers via social media posts that include a link to their custom Panda Challenge page. Once they arrive to the Panda Challenge page the user will find their device and request a free shipping kit. Pandabit will then send out a shipping kit with a prepaid return package at no cost to the donor, making it easier than ever to make environmentally friendly decisions.

To donate to the Marlene Yu Museum Matching Grant Challenge by March 20, please visit www.MarleneYuMuseum.org, mail a check payable to Marlene Yu Museum to 710 Travis St., Shreveport, LA 71101 with ‘match’ as the memo, or call (318) 717-9111. On March 21, visit www.RainforestArtFoundation.org and like the Foundation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rainforestartfoundation to learn more about and donate to the Rainforest Art Foundation Panda Challenge before Earth Day, April 22.

The Marlene Yu Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the mission to preserve, present, document, and interpret the life and art works of Marlene Tseng Yu.  The Rainforest Art Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the mission to increase appreciation of nature through art.

Both MYM and RAF will also be participating in The Community Foundation of North Louisiana’s Give for Good 2015 on May 5.  It is one day of online giving for community members to support local organizations.  For more information visit www.giveforgoodnla.com.

Contact:

Iris MacLean

Public Relations

Rainforest Art Foundation and Marlene Yu Museum

irisrainforestart@gmail.com

(318) 840-5213

Marlene Yu’s “Dream Series” exhibition at the Meadows Museum February 21-May 2, 2015; artist speaks on February 28

SHREVEPORT, La., February 4, 2015— The Rainforest Art Foundation partners with the Meadows Museum of Art at Centenary College in exhibiting Marlene Tseng Yu’s The Dream Series from February 21 through May 2, 2015.  The public is invited to a free opening reception for the artist on Saturday, February 28 from 5-7 pm.  Marlene Yu will speak about her artwork at 5:30 pm.

The Dream Series by Yu is the fifth exhibition of the “Lucky Sevens” series, namely seven different exhibitions at seven local venues in honor of Yu’s 77th year.  Yu, a native of Taiwan and participant in the New York City art scene for much of her life, founded the Rainforest Art Foundation to raise environmental awareness through art.  She is now honored by the Marlene Yu Museum in downtown Shreveport, one of the few museums in the nation dedicated to preserving and curating the work of a single artist.

Marlene Yu states, “The techniques may vary greatly from painting to painting, as to embody the scope of my expression.  The reference to nature is the focus of all my paintings.”  Many of her paintings, including those already exhibited throughout Shreveport, depict colorful abstractions based on natural forms.

The Dream Series, created in the 1980s, is unusual in Yu’s large body of work, however.  It is more representational than abstract, with a focus on nature and human relationships.  In the Meadows’ exhibition, the female body is surrounded by animals that symbolize the male aspect, creating a dreamlike meditation on love.

Art critic, editor, and poet Cynthia Nadelman commented on The Dream Series: “Marlene Tseng Yu’s dreams seem suspended in a watery medium…. And indeed they are.  Limpid and floating as this world of hers may seem, though, it is rendered in clear crystalline strokes before her water-based media – watercolor and water-thinned acrylic on large sheets of saturated paper – have a chance to dry.  Rather than coaxing and worrying paint, the artist uses the time she has to illustrate visions from her mind’s eye.  Occasionally, she accentuates the images with pencil or ink.”

About the Rainforest Art Foundation

The Rainforest Art Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit with the mission to increase appreciation of nature through art.  For information, contact: Iris MacLean, Public Relations at the Rainforest Art Foundation and Marlene Yu Museum, 318-840-5213, or irisrainforestart@gmail.com.  For additional events, see www.marleneyumuseum.org and www.rainforestartfoundation.org.

About the Meadows Museum of Art

The Meadows Museum of Art is located on the campus of Centenary College of Louisiana at 2911 Centenary Boulevard in Shreveport, LA. The Museum is free and open to the public Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 am-6 pm and Saturdays from 12-4 pm. For more information or to schedule fieldtrips, call the Museum at 318-869-5040 or visit www.centenary.edu/meadows.

Rainforest Art Foundation to team up with artspace Shreveport for kid’s art project

SHREVEPORT, La., January 7, 2015— The Rainforest Art Foundation is teaming up with artspace Shreveport on Saturday, Jan. 10 from 1:00-3:00 pm for a free, all ages, hands-on bottle fish art activity. This project is a part of a yearlong endeavor by the Foundation to help educate kids about different fish and their oceanic environments while creating art.

The public is invited to join artists from Rainforest Art Foundation and Shreveport Regional Arts Council to create fish out of recycled bottles to illustrate organism's adaptations to four oceanic environments. This is part of the Rainforest Art Foundation’s Kids Can: Oceans of Adaptation program designed by Rebekah White.

RAF spent the second half of 2014 bringing coloring sheets with fins from the four different fish to local events including Bayou2Bay’s Better Beach Bash and Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier’s Super Safety Saturday. Kids were invited to decorate the fins with glitter, color, and bright tissue paper. Next, the fins will be added to recycled bottles and attached to a 3-D display depicting their ocean environment. This Saturday the kids will be able to do this project and later this year they will be able to see their fish at the Rainforest Art Foundation.

The activity is connected to the current Marlene Tseng Yu exhibition hanging in the mainspace @ artspace. Yu is founder of the Rainforest Art Foundation, which aims to increase the appreciation of nature through art. The Foundation traveled from New York City to Shreveport, and opened the doors on the new location at 710 Travis Street, two blocks away from artspace, on Dec. 22, 2014. In addition, Yu’s daughter and the Director of RAF, Stephanie Lusk, opened the Marlene Yu Museum, which is housed in the same building as the Foundation. Yu’s nature inspired art hangs in the Museum gallery beside the RAF gallery, which features local and international nature themed art.

For more information about Kids Can, this event, and the foundation visit www.rainforestartfoundation.org. For more information about Marlene Tseng Yu and the Marlene Yu Museum visit www.marleneyumuseum.org or call 318-717-9111. RSVP on the Facebook event page here.

Contact:

Iris MacLean

Public Relations

Rainforest Art Foundation and Marlene Yu Museum

(318) 840-5213

irisrainforestart@gmail.com

www.rainforestartfoundation.org

www.marleneyumuseum.org

New York Artist Marlene Tseng Yu Presents her “Fire: Element of Life” Exhibition with Works Depicting Fiery Phenomena

This exhibition is the third show of 7 from her exhibition series entitled "Lucky 7s" which celebrates her 77th birthday and debut to Louisiana.

“Fire: Element of Life” 2004, Acrylic on canvas, Molten Lava Series, 8’x32’

SHREVEPORT, La., Nov. 10, 2014 – Artspace Shreveport will display lava and fire inspired paintings from the Molten Lava, Space and Universe, and Forest Fire series by artist, Marlene Tseng Yu, in the “Fire: Element of Life” exhibition beginning Friday, Nov. 14 through Jan. 17, 2015. The paintings from these series to be displayed draw from the high temperature phenomena found at the core of the earth, on earth’s surface, and out in the universe.

The exhibition will be located on the ground floor in the mainspace of Artspace, located at 710 Texas Street, Shreveport, LA 71101. The hours are Tuesday- Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday from 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm.  

The opening reception will begin at 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Nov. 14 with a $10 admission. Hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, and live music will be provided. Yu will be there for pictures, signings, and questions or comments. Notecards, postcards, and signed posters, prints, and books will be available for purchase throughout the exhibition from Artspace.

Art critic, Jeffrey Cyphers Wright, provided a review of Yu’s work for Live Mag! Titled, “Communing with the Elements: Yu’s Irrepressible Vision.”

“Yu varies her marks considerably, adding to the perception of artistic control over phenomenological chaos,” said Wright of Yu’s “Molten Lava Park” painting, “Amorphous clouds and fiery washes contrast with concise shards and irregular recessions.”

The Rainforest Art Foundation and Marlene Yu Museum are partnering with the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, Shreveport Regional Arts Council, Meadows Museum of Art at Centenary College, Bossier Arts Council, Robinson Film Center, and Sci-Port: Louisiana's Science Center for the "Lucky 7s." The "Lucky 7s" are Marlene Yu's 7 exhibitions in honor of her 70th solo exhibition in her 77th year at 7 local institutions.  Marlene has designed 7 themed, non-overlapping exhibitions selected from her 4000+ paintings, more than 35 series of works, ranging from 16 inches to 37 feet long.

The first show of the Lucky 7s, “Purple Swamp & Nature Abstraction,” was held at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum from Sept. 25 - Nov. 10. The second, “Emerald Forest” opened Sept. 26 and will run through Nov. 29 at the Robinson Film Center in downtown Shreveport. Attendees are encouraged to bring their passport stamped at these first two locations to the opening reception to get their third stamp. Fully stamped passports will be redeemable for a collectible book.

For more information please visit http://www.marleneyumuseum.org/lucky-sevens-dates or call 318-717-9111.

Contact:

Iris MacLean

Public Relations Manager

Rainforest Art Foundation & Marlene Yu Museum

(318) 840-5213

irisrainforestart@gmail.com

Call to Shreveport Area Artists for Nature Inspired Works

The Rainforest Art Foundation is now accepting rolling submissions from local artists to be featured in various upcoming nature-related exhibitions

SHREVEPORT, La., Oct. 13, 2014 – The Rainforest Art Foundation, located in downtown Shreveport, is currently asking local artists for submissions for their inaugural group artist shows to begin with “The Beauty and Spirit of Nature” at the Grand Opening on Dec. 21, 2014 from 1-4 pm and Preview Party on Dec. 18, 2014 from 5:30-8:30 pm.  
The “Beauty and Spirit of Nature” exhibition will run from Dec. 18 through the end of January and will celebrate local glass artist, Minor Vinck’s, work and nature etching on his 99th birthday on Jan. 22, 2015. Art for this exhibit will feature wildlife such as plants, flowers, animals, and forest or rainforest scenes.
 

Then, following this exhibition will be a “Disappearing of the Rainforest” exhibition, as well as the “Nature Through the Lens” photography exhibition. Art for the “Disappearing…” show may highlight the green movement themes of forest fires, landslides, deforestation, carbon emissions, wildlife endangerment, community displacement, global warming, and glacial melting.
 

Artists residing in North Louisiana and writers internationally are invited to submit work by emailing rainforestartfoundation@gmail.com with a brief bio, a brief statement of their work, a profile or face photo, and a photo of their artwork with caption describing a particular piece's title, year, medium, and dimensions.
 

The Rainforest Art Foundation 501c3 non-profit organization aims to increase appreciation of nature through art and was founded in 2001 by internationally acclaimed artist and pioneer in the environmental green movement in the arts, Marlene Tseng Yu.
For tickets to the Preview Party and details about the Grand Opening please visit www.rainforestartfoundation.org. For more information about the founder, Marlene Yu, please visit www.marlenetsengyu.com.
Contact:

Iris MacLean

Public Relations Manager

Rainforest Art Foundation and Marlene Yu Museum

(318) 840-5213

irisrainforestart@gmail.com

Watch the slideshow below to see the works to be featured in this exhibition.

Artists Featured: Shirlene Alexander, Joe Bluhm, Julie Burgin, Susan Duke, Don Edwards, Ellen Frautschi, Taffie Garsee, Curt Harville, Camille Hirsch and Louis Sicard, Debbie Hollis, Bob Horne, Judy Horne, Jim Hudelson, Lana Johnson, Lynn Laird, Katy Miller Merriman, Henry E. Price, Jeanne-Marie Reed, Rachel Norma Sayad Sangsura, Minor L. Vinck, Adam Volker, Robert Streeter, Jason Phipps, Dave Ivey, Su Stella, Casey Jones, Rosalyn Liu, Robert Trudeau, Eva Hurskin

Marlene Tseng Yu Unveils her "Emerald Forest" Exhibition with Vibrant Works Inspired by the 1985 Movie

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Marlene Tseng Yu Unveils her "Emerald Forest" Exhibition with Vibrant Works Inspired by the 1985 Movie

Marlene Tseng Yu with “Emerald Forest” 2010 Acrylic on canvas 10x20 feet

This exhibition is the second show of 7 from her exhibition series entitled “Lucky 7s” which celebrates her 77th birthday and debut to Louisiana

SHREVEPORT, La., September 15, 2014—Vibrant paintings of a dreamy rainforest abstraction will make the journey to the Robinson Film Center for the second show of Marlene Yu’s “Lucky 7s” exhibition series entitled “Emerald Forest Series” from Sept. 26 through Nov. 29, 2014. Yu’s Emerald Forest series features works inspired by the rainforest, the movie titled “The Emerald Forest,” and humankind’s relation to nature.

The paintings will be on display on the walls of Robinson Film Center’s in-house restaurant, Abby Singers Bistro. The Film Center is located at 617 Texas Street, Shreveport, LA 71101 and the hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 11:00 am-9:00 pm.

Robert C. Morgan, PhD describes the series in his Berliner Kunst review, “Forest Raging: Paintings by Marlene Tseng Yu.” Speaking specifically about the painting, Emerald Forest, Dr. Morgan describes the colliding folds of the pyramid shapes as depicting the landscape of the Rainforest.  

“It goes to the center of the forest primeval,” wrote Dr. Morgan, “It puts us there.  We are suddenly in the place where we tremble and shiver as the light cuts through the clouds on the wake of the deluge.”  

The 1985 movie titled “Emerald Forest” tells the story of an American engineer, Bill, who loses his son, Tommy, in the Brazilian Rainforest.  Tommy is adopted into an aboriginal tribe after they kidnap him, by rite of passage where he takes on the persona of a spirit animal.  After searching for ten years, Bill finally finds grown-up Tommy, who refuses to go back into civilization.  However, when Tommy's mate is then taken with other tribe women to work as slaves in a forest brothel, he returns to America, scaling a building (as if it were a tree), to get help from his father.  The movie provides social commentary on mankind's invasiveness in nature and tribal communities.  Yu’s paintings draw inspiration from the film's commentary.  

Exhibition attendees are encouraged to print a passport at www.marleneyumuseum.org/passport/ and bring it with them to each of the 7 shows to get stamped. Fully stamped passports may be redeemed at the Marlene Yu Museum at the end of the “Lucky 7s” in 2015 to earn a collectible book.

The Rainforest Art Foundation and Marlene Yu Museum are partnering with the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, Shreveport Regional Arts Council, Meadows Museum of Art at Centenary College, Bossier Arts Council, Robinson Film Center, and Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center for the “Lucky 7s”. The “Lucky 7s” are Marlene Yu's 7 exhibitions in honor of her 70th solo exhibition in her 77th year at 7 local institutions.  Marlene has designed 7 themed, non-overlapping exhibitions selected from her 4000+ paintings, more than 35 series of works, ranging from 16 inches to 37 feet long.

In honor of the future Young Artist Gallery to be housed inside the Foundation and Museum building at 710 Travis Street, Shreveport, LA 71101, the Foundation is now accepting donations from sponsors with the proceeds going to children’s programs and the renovation of the YAG room. To become a sponsor with recognition and various benefits packages please visit http://www.rainforestartfoundation.org/donate/ and click on the sponsor tab.

For more information regarding the artist, please visit www.marlenetsengyu.com. For more information regarding the Marlene Yu Museum and the “Lucky 7s” shows please visit www.marleneyumuseum.org.

Contact:
Iris MacLean
Public Relations Manager
Rainforest Art Foundation
Marlene Yu Museum
irisrainforestart@gmail.com
(318) 840-5213

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Marlene Tseng Yu to Showcase Louisiana Swamp Inspired Art in “Purple Swamp & Nature Abstraction” Exhibition

SHREVEPORT, La., August 20, 2014 – New York based artist Marlene Tseng Yu presents her 70th solo exhibition “Purple Swamp & Nature Abstraction” beginning September 25, 2014 at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum in Shreveport, Louisiana. This will be her first show of the exhibition series the “Lucky 7s” in celebration of her 77th birthday during September.

The exhibition will feature approximately 16 of Yu’s paintings from multiple series of work and kick off at 5:30 pm with the Marlene Yu Meet and Greet party with free admission. Print posters will be available for purchase, and Yu will be there for questions, photos, and commission requests.

Yu spent 2014 traveling to Louisiana where her daughter and director of the Marlene Yu Museum (set to open in December), Stephanie Lusk, lives. During her travels, Yu has been to the Atchafalaya basin and Grand Isle where she learned of the devastation Louisiana’s gulf coastline is facing as it erodes. Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne invited her on these tours with the hope that it would inspire her to tell the story of Louisiana’s changing landscape and natural wonders through her abstract paintings. 

Yu now has five large paintings completed in her Purple Swamp Series with the largest being 8’x32’ titled, “Purple Swamp/Tiger Lily”. The show will feature these along with selections from other series including the Amber Glow Series, Cave Garden Series, Cave Treasure Series, Blue Lagoon Series, Turquoise Floating Series, and more.

Exhibition attendees are encouraged to print a passport at www.marleneyumuseum.org/passport/ and bring it with them to each of the 7 shows to get stamped. Fully stamped passports may be redeemed at the Marlene Yu Museum at the end of the “Lucky 7s” in 2015 to earn a collectible book.

The Rainforest Art Foundation and Marlene Yu Museum are partnering with Shreveport Regional Arts Council, Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, Meadows Museum of Art at Centenary College, Bossier Arts Council, Robinson Film Center, and Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center for the “Lucky 7s”. In honor of the future Young Artist Gallery to be housed inside the Foundation and Museum building at 710 Travis Street, Shreveport, LA 71101, the Foundation is now accepting donations from sponsors with the proceeds going to children’s programs and the renovation of the YAG room. To become a sponsor with recognition and various benefits packages please visit http://www.rainforestartfoundation.org/donate/ and click on the sponsor tab.

For more information regarding the artist please visit www.marlenetsengyu.com. For more information regarding the Marlene Yu Museum and the “Lucky 7s” shows please visit www.marleneyumuseum.org.

Contact:

Iris MacLean

Public Relations Manager

Rainforest Art Foundation

Marlene Yu Museum

(318) 840-5213

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"Emerald Forest" 2000 Acrylic on canvas 12x8 feet

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"Dancing Tree Roots I" 2014 Acrylic on canvas oval 8x13 feet

Plans for Young Artist Gallery are in the Works

SHREVEPORT, La., July 31, 2014 –The Rainforest Art Foundation is designing programs, fundraisers, and plans for renovating a space in its location at the former YWCA building to be the future Young Artist Gallery and kids workspace when the building opens December 21. The first fundraising project will be a part of the Lucky Sevens opening reception, the Marlene Yu Meet and Greet party at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, September 25. RAF is calling out to its supporters to sponsor this event in exchange for recognition and other prizes. Funds raised from sponsors will be used towards the Young Artist Gallery and it’s first children’s educational program, the Biology and Art Exploration Program (BAEP), designed by Rebekah White.

The Young Artist Gallery space has been a children’s play area, nursery, and cafeteria during its time as the YWCA, and RAF intends to honor the history of the space. It will be used as a place for young artists to display their work in a gallery to gain more exposure in the community. This space will also be used for children’s outreach programs such as the BAEP and an annual art project to become a mural of different species of fish created by kids in the area.

BAEP is a hands on program designed to help children learn art and science in a fun environment. The six-week summer sessions will explore concepts of butterflies and blending, plants and perspectives, taxonomy and texture, and camouflage and color. Age groups will be divided into 3-5 year olds, 1st-3rd grade, and 4th-5th grades.

The 2014-2015 annual kids art project focuses on biology concepts of interdependence and symbiosis by inviting as many kids as possible to participate in creating a larger work of art. Kids will be given colorable sheets of paper with fins on them of different fish. The fins will be attached to recycled bottles to create “bottle fish” that will be incorporated into a large mural-style multimedia painting. There are four different oceanic environments with fish that specialize in each to be incorporated into the project.

The Lucky Sevens is a series of 7 shows in honor of Marlene Yu’s 77th year and 70th solo exhibition at 7 local institutions. Yu is the founder of the Rainforest Art Foundation and paints large-scale abstractions of nature. She has over 4,000 paintings from 35+ series to select 7 different themes of non-overlapping works for each show.

To make a donation or learn more about BAEP, the kid’s art project, and the young artist gallery please visit www.rainforestartfoundation.org. To learn more about the Lucky Sevens please visit www.marleneyumuseum.org. For any other inquiries call (318) 797-9111 or email rainforestartfoundation@gmail.com.

Contact:

Iris MacLean

Public Relations Intern

Rainforest Art Foundation

Marlene Yu Museum

(318) 840-5213

irisrainforestart@gmail.com

www.rainforestartfoundation.org

www.marleneyumuseum.org

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Celebrated Artist Marlene Tseng Yu Presents Lucky Sevens Series in Louisiana

Known for her abstract expressionist paintings, the seven solo exhibitions will feature a different theme from over 4,000 works of art

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SHREVEPORT, La., July 31, 2014 -- The Lucky Sevens is a series of solo exhibitions in Shreveport/Bossier, Louisiana featuring artist Marlene Tseng Yu.  There will be 7 shows at 7 local institutions beginning with her 70th solo exhibition in her 77th year.  Different from a traveling show, each exhibition features a different theme and selections from her 4000+ paintings, 35+ series, and 50+ years of “Forces of Nature” creations, ranging from 16 inches to 37 feet long or 18 feet high.

The first show will be at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum with the Marlene Meet and Greet Party on Thursday, September 25, 2014. The exhibition, titled “Purple Swamp and Nature Abstraction,” will run from September 25 through October 31, 2014. This theme will feature Yu’s most recent paintings inspired by the swamps of South Louisiana. The next show will run from September 26 through November 30, 2014 at the Robinson Film Center. The title is “Emerald Forest Series” which features works inspired by the rainforest, the movie titled “The Emerald Forest,” and humankind’s relation to nature. Following, is “Fire—Element of Life” to be held at Artspace from November 14, 2014 to January 17, 2015, with an evening opening reception.

The “middle” exhibition of the seven will be at the grand opening of the Marlene Yu Museum with the title “Forces of Nature.”  This show will feature paintings from her 50-year series that relate to natural disasters and the elements. The ticketed Preview Party for the grand opening of the Marlene Yu Museum and Rainforest Art Foundation will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2014, followed by the Grand Opening on Sunday, December 21, 2014. “Forces of Nature” will run through May 31, 2015.

The Meadows Museum of Art at Centenary College is the fifth show with a reception open to the public on Saturday, February 21, 2015.  The exhibition, through May 3, 2015, explores Yu’s uncharacteristically figurative works from a 3-year period, “Dream Series,” depicting a love story between the figurative female and her male counterpart represented by various animals. Next, is the “Melting Glacier Series” at Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center, beginning March 17 through April 26, 2015, which falls in line with Earth Day. The final location of the Lucky Sevens will be Bossier Arts Council with the title “Crystal Reef Series” running from June 1 to July 31, 2015.

The Marlene Yu Museum is a single-artist museum being built during Yu’s lifetime with the mission to preserve, exhibit, document, and interpret the life and works of Marlene Tseng Yu. MYM will be the first contemporary art museum in Shreveport as it opens the doors inside the Rainforest Art Foundation building. The 710 Travis Street, Shreveport, LA 71101 location will be the world headquarters for the Rainforest Art Foundation. The Foundation and Museum want to help make Shreveport an international destination for nature-inspired arts as well as an educational and cultural hub by strengthening the downtown arts community, attracting young talent to work, play, and stay, and furthering the area’s intergenerational family values.

Yu founded the Rainforest Art Foundation in New York City in 2001 to bring together like-minded artists who are involved in the green arts movement. The mission of RAF is to increase appreciation of nature through art. Yu has had 69 solo exhibitions in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Her work has been reviewed in 9 different languages in over 200 publications including Artforum, Art in America, and Art News.  

Family Fun at the Beach for July 5th!

Better Beach Bash Family Fun Day Announced for Holiday Weekend

SHREVEPORT, La., July 1, 2014 – Local group Bayou to Bay Watershed Education Project will host its 2nd Annual Hamel’s Better Beach Bash from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, 2014 with River Rocks Life, the Rainforest Art Foundation and Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center. This family-friendly fundraising event will be free to the public with a suggested $1 or more donation, and will include water and art related activities to improve Hamel’s beach, located at Charles & Marie Hamel Memorial Park, Clyde Fant Pkwy, between Preston Ave. and E. 70th St. (LA 511).

The morning will begin with registration at 9 a.m., followed by a group effort to cleanup litter on the beach at 9:30. Trash that has been collected from past cleanups and cleaned will be used for children to create animal art that will be turned into a themed collage led by Rebekah White of the Rainforest Art Foundation.

The rest of the morning will be filled with water playtime, including standup paddleboarding, canoeing and kayaking. Canoes and kayaks will be provided by Bayou to Bay. Area paddling enthusiasts will provide water safety education and instruction. Courtney Thibault owner of Louisiana Yoga and Paddle in Ruston will be on-site to provide paddleboards and instruction. Water and lavatory services will be provided. Food trucks will be available for lunch on-site.  

In addition, a memorial honoring the death of six teens that drowned in the area in 2010 will be held at 9:30 a.m.

The mission of Bayou to Bay (B2B) is to improve the health of children and waterways through education, action, and play. B2B team members work to provide watershed education to community members, reconnect children to the waterways, and raise awareness of and increase positive action in watersheds.

The aim of River Rocks Life (RRL) is to encourage the enjoyment of nature through outdoor skills development. RRL seeks to partner with local and national paddling, conservation, and outdoor groups. RRL is a program of Rainforest Art Foundation to increase appreciation of nature through alpine and aquatic arts, and its current goal is to save the swimming pool at the Rainforest Art Foundation located at 710 Travis Street to be a rock climbing and whitewater training center. The former YWCA building is currently under renovation as the Foundation prepares to open its doors this winter with the mission to increase the appreciation of nature through art.

Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center, voted the 2012 Attraction of the Year by the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association, is a 92,000 square-foot science and entertainment center featuring 290 hands-on exhibits, 70 interactive programs and demonstrations, a Space Center and Space Dome Planetarium, IMAX Dome Theatre, gift shop and café.  Sci-Port is a member of the Association of Science-Technology Centers; a LA Space Consortium member and is recognized by Parents magazine as one of the nation’s ten best science centers. The Center is located at 820 Clyde Fant Parkway on the downtown Shreveport riverfront. For information regarding hours, IMAX showings or special programs, call (318) 424-3466, toll free at (877) 724-7678 or visit sciport.org.

To learn more about the Bayou to Bay Watershed Education Project, visit www.bayoutobay.org. To learn more about the Rainforest Art Foundation and River Rocks Life, visit www.rainforestartfoundation.org.

Contact:

Iris MacLean

Public Relations Intern

Rainforest Art Foundation

(318) 840-5213

irisrainforestart@gmail.com

Karen Wissing

Senior PR & Marketing Manager

Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center

(318) 424-8678

kwissing@sciport.org

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 Teaming up to promote reusable water bottles for a better environment!

Left to right-Michele McKee of Sci-Port, Dionne Procell of B2B, Rebekah White of RAF, Dr. Brian Lusk, Stephanie Lusk of RAF, Iris MacLean of RAF, Rafael Doolittle of RAF, and Jon Soul of B2B

Digital Artist Intern Joins RAF

Digital Artist Rafael Doolittle Joins Summer Interns

SHREVEPORT, LA., June 16, 2014 – The Rainforest Art Foundation welcomes newest summer intern, Rafael Doolittle, to the team. Doolittle will be a Digital Art intern.

Doolittle will help design works for various things including website content, email images, print materials, and social media images. He will also contribute to various non-profit needs through administrative duties.

Doolittle is proficient in Adobe suite CS6 in Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. He is a junior at Louisiana State University in Shreveport pursuing a degree in Digital Art. He is also a graphic design intern at Bossier Arts Council, where he has had experience creating posters, post cards, brochures, and a magazine.

He has worked with other organizations such as Community Renewal, The Hub Ministries, and The Providence House. Doolittle’s knowledge and skills with design and the Shreveport/Bossier community will allow him to be a beneficial part of the team at RAF.

Contact:

Iris MacLean Public Relations Intern

(318) 840-5213

irisrainforestart@gmail.com

www.rainforestartfoundation.com

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New Intern to Work on Biology and Art Program

Rainforest Art Foundation Welcomes Intern Rebekah White

SHREVEPORT, La., May 20, 2014 – The Shreveport branch of the Rainforest Art Foundation is excited to announce the addition of summer intern, Rebekah White. White will be using her knowledge of biology and art to add to the Foundation starting May 20.

White will work primarily on a new program for RAF, which will aesthetically illustrate themes in biology such as ecosystems and interdependence. She will also play a role in non-profit arts administration. White’s passion for biology and love of art will allow her to be a beneficial part of the team at RAF.

White is a sophomore at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. She is pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology with a minor in French. Some of her interests include research in science and technology, the French language and culture, karate, painting, and drawing.

White is a Shreveport native. During her time at C.E. Byrd High School she accomplished many academic and artistic accomplishments including valedictorian of the class of 2012, various science and French scholarship awards, and an Artbreak Literary Portfolio Award.

Contact:

Iris MacLean

(318) 840-5213

irismaclean18@gmail.com

www.rainforestartfoundation.org

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Glass Artist Vinck's 99th Year Celebration

Rainforest Art Foundation to Honor Local Glass Artist Minor Vinck on his 99th Birthday

SHREVEPORT, La., May 13, 2014 —The Rainforest Art Foundation will honor Minor Vinck for his artistic accomplishments and 99th year of life with a birthday celebration on January 22, 2015 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. His artistic works will be featured amongst other local artists work at the preview party and grand opening of the Rainforest Art Foundation and Marlene Yu Museum. The preview party will be Dec. 18, 2014 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and the grand opening will follow on Dec. 21, 2014 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at 710 Travis Street, Shreveport, LA 71101.

Vinck is a well-known glass artist whose works include copper wheel engravings, glass sculptures, and carved glass murals influenced by his love of nature and flight. Vinck harnessed skills including beveling, wheel cutting, sand carving, leaded glass, and copper wheel engraving at a home studio throughout his life.

Vinck was born on January 22, 1916 in Texarkana, TX where he grew up. Vinck’s family was employed by the local glass factory leading him to take interest in glass at age 16. His family encouraged his interest by presenting him with a set of stone engraving wheels, beginning his lifelong endeavors of translating his love of nature and beauty into glass.

Vinck also took an interest in flying. He formed an aerial daredevil team with Texarkana pilot, Henry Ray, and became known as the “Daredevil Youth of Texarkana” or “Mile-High Vinck”. His interest in flying is reflected in many of his glass sculptures and murals.

Vinck’s wife, Ruth, brought him to Shreveport where he settled down. After 35 years as a cutter and inspector at Libbey Owens Ford, Vinck began working as an artist full time in 1972.

Vinck’s lifelong work has been recognized through various awards including the Beaux Arts “Living Legend” Award, LA Visual Arts Hall of Fame, Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau Honoree, and Red River Sculptor of the Year. His work can currently be found at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum in Shreveport.

Contact:

Iris MacLean

Public Relations Intern at Rainforest Art Foundation

(318) 840-5213

irisrainforestart@gmail.com

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Minor Vinck

Minor Vinck works on a glass engraving

Rainforest Art Foundation Hires New Intern

Rainforest Art Foundation Welcomes Intern Iris MacLean

SHREVEPORT, La., May 7, 2014 – The Shreveport branch of the Rainforest Art Foundation is proud to welcome new intern, Iris MacLean. MacLean will help fill the public relations needs of the foundation as it prepares to open in Shreveport this December.

MacLean will play a large role in maintaining the foundation’s social media, event promotion, and organization. Her work in a variety of different service industry and office administrative assistance jobs mixed with her education in public relations has prepared her to begin an internship with the foundation.

MacLean is a senior studying mass communication with a concentration in public relations at Louisiana State University in Shreveport. She expects to graduate in the spring of 2015.

MacLean was born in Maine and moved to Shreveport with her family at age 12 where she has remained since. Her love of Shreveport, nature, art, and the development of a cultural downtown area makes her a perfect fit for the foundation.

MacLean enjoys helping local artists with musical and installation projects. She also enjoys going to art, music, and theater shows around town. Growing up in Maine she was instilled with a strong sense of appreciation for nature at a young age. She often went on mountain hikes, camping trips, and canoe trips with her family as a child. Her love of nature stems from these times with her family.

Contact:

Iris MacLean

Public Relations Intern Rainforest Art Foundation

(318) 840-5213

irisrainforestart@gmail.com

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Rainforest Art Foundation Calls to Local Artists and International Writers, Preparing for Inaugural Exhibitions in its New Location

Rainforest Art Foundation Calls to Local Artists and International Writers, Preparing for Inaugural Exhibitions in its New Location

Shreveport, Louisiana – March 6, 2014 – Rainforest Art Foundation calls to local artists and international writers for its inaugural exhibitions in its new location. 

Artists residing in North Louisiana are invited to submit by October 6, 2014 via email to rainforestartfoundation@gmail.com a brief bio, a brief statement of their work, a profile or face photo, and a photo of their artwork with caption describing a particular piece's title, year, medium and dimensions for one or all of the following inaugural exhibitions:

1) The grand opening of the Rainforest Art Foundation on December 21, 2014 starts with the "Beauty and Spirit of the Rainforest" exhibition. Art may feature wildlife such as plants, flowers, animals, forest or rainforest scenes. Inaugural exhibition will celebrate Minor Vinck's glass work and nature etching on his 99th birthday on January 22, 2015. 

2) "Disappearing of the Rainforest" exhibition, spring 2015. Art may highlight green movement themes such as forest fires, landslides, deforestation, carbon emissions, endangerment to wildlife, community displacement, global warming, and glacial melting. 

3) "Nature Through the Lens" photography exhibition, spring 2015.

Writers from around the world are invited to submit a 250- to 2500-word short story in English by October 6, 2014 for the following:

A new international program for the Rainforest Art Foundation features science fiction literary, digital media and comic, and performing arts narratives of what life would be like in extreme weather conditions, where 'global weirding' is the norm. Selected works will be presented to digital media and comic artists for their interpretation of the written work, and one or two pieces may be chosen for live theater production. Projected fall 2015 to spring 2016. 

The Rainforest Art Foundation 501c3 non-profit organization aims to increase appreciation of nature through art and was founded in 2001 by internationally acclaimed artist and pioneer in the environmental green movement in the arts, Marlene Tseng Yu.

Contact: Stephanie Lusk

Co-Director of the Rainforest Art Foundation

(318) 717-9111

rainforestartfoundation.org


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