2007 Juneteenth Freedom Festival Art Contest

By: Orhan Mc Millan

The Juneteenth Festival in Donaldsonville combines great food, great art, with a great community to create a great family-oriented event. For two days every June, Louisiana Square in the center of the historic town is filled with people laughing, cooking, and selling their crafts.

The acrylic painting entitled Juneteenth captures the spirit of this festival perfectly, which is why it won first place in the 2007 Juneteenth Festival Art Contest. Created by Donaldsonville’s own, Alvin Batiste, the 16 x 20 painting on canvas captures the heart of this annual event.

Born in 1962 in Donaldsonville, Batiste has become one of the most sought after artists in Louisiana. Known for his portrayal of Louisiana life, his award-winning artwork was the belle of the festival this year.

Rich in color, with heavy bold strokes like so much of Batiste’s work, the painting exhibits the mood and scene of the Donaldsonville Juneteenth Festival. So vivid are his images, you can almost smell the hot sausage and hamburgers on the grill in view.

Under the keen eyes of five judges, entries were judged based on originality, composition, use of color, and relevancy to the festival celebrating freedom in the African American Experience.

“Each of this year’s entries had their own unique perspective and style. When I stepped back and looked at them all, the joy was overwhelming,” states Orhan Mc Millan, president and creative director of Dezins – Web and Multi-Media Marketing, which sponsors and coordinates this event each year.

“It is always such a difficult task to be a judge in a great show like this because each entry is so impressive in its own way,” adds Mc Millan.

This year’s festival offered a second category for youths. The first place winner was Joshua Thibodaux with his pencil sketch entitled, Real Freedom.

A talented 16-year-old artist from Thibodaux, Joshua Thibodaux, created a beautiful sketch of Jesus with a halo of yellow light all around him.

“Late one night my mom and I were discussing one of her paintings that she was planning to enter into the festival art show. Instantly, I thought of Jesus tortured on earth as he was crucified and his freedom is heaven," states Thibodaux. "The color yellow symbolizes the beauty and freedom of heaven,” he added.

Thibodaux's mother, Joan, entered the contest as well, and won second prize. Her entry, an acrylic painting on an authentic 100-year-old quilt, is titled The Freedom Quilt.

Allison Ezidore of St. James, Louisiana won third place with her colored pencil sketch entitled, The Beauty of Freedom.

“There are so many talented individuals in our area who deserve to have the space to express themselves freely through their art and in doing so truly enrich and empower not only their lives but the lives of each and every member of our community," states Mc Millan, “and that is why I believe so strongly in the importance of this festival’s art contest.”

“All of the entries truly represented the heart of the Juneteenth Festival... as each artist brings their own personal stories into the larger story of family in the African American experience,” stated Kathe Hambrick, founder and director of the River Road African American Museum which sponsors the Juneteenth Festival along with other co-sponsors.

The entire Juneteenth Festival was a success, including the art contest. On behalf of Dezins, Mc Millan would like to express a heart-felt thank you to the following for their prize donations to the contest: Cynthia and Steve Schneider of The Grapevine Café and Gallery, Debbie Peltier of The Chamber Voice, and Glenda Shaheen of GSA Consulting Engineers.

For a complete list of entries, and more photos, please visit www.dezinsource.com.

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