Congratulations to Nancy Pratt, the Arts Evening 2022 Cover Artist. “Her Rhapsody” has been selected as the winning submission for the Arts Evening 2022 Poster.

Nancy will be at Green Oaks Apothecary during Arts Evening, one of the largest and most celebrated cultural festivals on the Northshore. The event will feature the works of over 100 artists and art organizations at 40 locations throughout Olde Towne Slidell, live entertainment from bands and entertainers, casual and fine dining at local restaurants and antique and boutique shopping.

Nancy Pratt is a multimedia artist and teacher, dance instructor and choreographer, and event coordinator who currently resides on the Northshore of Louisiana. Art mediums include acrylic on canvas, stenciling, collage, photo projects, painted clothing and shoes and holiday headpieces/fascinators-she loves mixed media! She has had the fortune of being selected to do a mural for the City of Slidell as part of the Celebrate Slidell series which is located at the STFPD1 Headquarters. Fancy Nancy was also asked to do a floral remembrance mural for Bella Style Salon which you can see on the exterior of their Olde Towne location and where you can also find her art on walls of the interior too.

Her latest body of work, reflected in the chosen Arts Evening poster, starts with a base of vintage sheet music collaged and painted on canvas, then covered with a portrait of a celebrated music artist in liquid acrylic and sealed for protection. The series is called “Rhapsody in Hues.” Inspired by music icons, the title “rhapsody” meaning: an effusively enthusiastic or ecstatic expression of feeling. And “hues” describes each painting having their own monochromatic colors; all the colors (tones, tints, and shades) of a single hue. She works from her home studio, showroom and through Etsy but plans on having a local shop in the near future. See more art & ArtByNancyPratt Etsy shop info at thefancynancy.com. Stay updated with the latest headpiece classes, adult workshops and children’s summer camps on her website and social media outlets: Fancy Nancy Pratt LLC.

The Arts Evening festivities take place on Saturday, March 19, 2022, from 5 to 9 p.m. in Olde Towne Slidell. Signed prints of the Arts Evening poster will be sold during the event.

“I am honored to be selected as the Arts Evening poster artist for 2022. During the past few years since our last event, I’ve grown and evolved so much as a person and an artist. Through play, practice and persistence, I’ve developed a new body of work, ‘Rhapsody in Hues,’ that I am eager to share at Arts Evening,” said Pratt. “I am so thankful for the love and support from my family, local community and loyal customers that I appreciate this opportunity to represent Slidell and share my passion for art and culture.”

The City of Slidell, the Olde Towne Arts Commission (OTAC) and the City of Slidell’s Commission on the Arts are proud to announce the upcoming Arts Evening exhibition, “George Dunbar: A Retrospective” opening on Friday, March 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Slidell Cultural Center at City Hall.
This is the first solo exhibition for Mr. Dunbar, Slidell’s premiere artist. His work is in the collections of the British Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Whitney Museum, as well as prestigious galleries from New York to New Orleans. The Retrospective exhibit will include quintessential works from his private collection, including rare pieces from his early decades and recent figurative works.
“Mr. Dunbar is a world-renowned artist and we are honored that he is displaying his works here in his hometown of Slidell,” said Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer. “George was an integral part of creating the Slidell Commission on the Arts and the city’s Cultural Affairs Department, designing the gallery for the original Slidell Cultural Center, and creating a rich cultural atmosphere here in Slidell. I know that our citizens are grateful for the numerous artistic contributions that he continues to make in our community.”
Guests will have the opportunity to meet the artist at the opening reception. The exhibit will also be open during Arts Evening from 5 to 9 p.m. on March 19.
The Slidell Cultural Center is located at 2055 Second Street in Olde Towne Slidell. The exhibit will remain on display through April 22. Gallery Hours are Mondays through Fridays, from 12 to 4 p.m. To view the exhibit during gallery hours, call the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs to make an appointment at (985) 646-4375. Admission is free.
For more information about George Dunbar, please visit his website at GeorgeDunbar.com and his site at Callan Contemporary at callancontemporary.com/artists/george-dunbar/biography.

The City of Slidell is hosting a Public Meeting for a proposed skate park in Slidell on Wednesday, March 9, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium Meeting Room, located at 2056 Second Street in Olde Towne Slidell.

“We’ve heard you loud and clear, Slidell!” said Mayor Greg Cromer. “I have talked to many skateboarders in our community over the last several years about a skate park, and we are exploring different options for a skating facility in Slidell. We want to hear from the skating community about what features they would want in a skate park. I encourage everyone to join us for this public meeting.”

For more information about the Slidell Skate Park Public Meeting, please contact the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375.

 

Calling all artists!

The City of Slidell, Louisiana is looking for artists to participate in the 26th annual Arts Evening cultural festival on Saturday, March 19, 2022. It is free for artists to participate.

Artists who wish to participate can download the Arts Evening Artist Registration Form from the city’s website, www.myslidell.com. Artists will also have to opportunity to submit digital images for consideration of having their work featured in Arts Evening publicity. Submissions should be sent to acarollo@cityofslidell.org.

Deadline for forms and art submissions is Monday, March 7, 2022

The City of Slidell and Olde Towne Slidell Main Street will host a Public Meeting to discuss a Master Plan for Olde Towne Slidell on Thursday, February 17 starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium.

Philip Walker, principal of The Walker Collaborative, will present at the meeting. He has been an integral part for the master plan for cities such as Covington, La.; Fairhope, Al.; and Natchez, Ms. For more information, please visit www.walkercollaborative.com.

 

 

Keep Slidell Beautiful and the Slidell Tree Board will host their annual Tree Giveaway on Saturday, February 5, starting at 8 a.m. at Fritchie Park.
Like the last several years, this will be a drive-through giveaway. The public should remain in their vehicles at all times. Trees will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Only one tree is allowed per vehicle. 
For more information, please contact the Department of Parks and Recreation at 985-646-4371. For information about City of Slidell news and upcoming events, you can sign up for our email news list on our website at www.myslidell.com or visit the  “City of Slidell, Louisiana” on Facebook. You can also follow Keep Slidell Beautiful on Facebook.

City of Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer, State Senator Sharon Hewitt and State Representative Mary DuBuisson are pleased to announce that the City of Slidell will receive $3.1 million to invest in water and drainage infrastructure as part of the Water Sector Program Grant from the State of Louisiana.

“This funding is needed for the residents of Slidell to help prevent overflows in certain areas throughout the city after inclement weather,” said Mayor Cromer. “I would like to thank Senator Hewitt, Representative DuBuisson, and all the members of the State Legislature who made this funding possible for the City of Slidell.”

A $10 million dollar rehabilitation to the existing Slidell Wastewater Treatment Plant is currently underway in the City of Slidell. The additional grant funding will allow the city to build a large and efficient 2.5 million gallon equalization tank along with making other improvements.

“When people ask me about what keeps me up at night, I always respond that it is the deterioration of our state’s water and sewer systems,” said Senator Hewitt, District 1. “These are basic services that citizens expect and deserve, yet tend to get overlooked when budgeting with limited funds. Funding water and sewer improvement projects in St. Tammany has been a priority of mine and I’m pleased that the State and the City of Slidell have been able to collaborate on a critical project. Slidell residents deserve a reliable sewer system. This project is a major step forward.”

The proposed improvements at the Slidell Wastewater Treatment Plant aim to implement more efficient wastewater service by preventing overflows and consistently treating wastewater to the requirements set forth by state standards.

“I am so happy to share this great news!” said Representative DuBuisson, District 90. “The City of Slidell and St. Tammany Parish have both received money from the State for Water Sector projects that will be used for much-needed repairs. Our citizens deserve to have clean, safe water, and I am pleased to have been a part of the Legislature that approved this funding.”

 

UPDATE:  The boil water notice for these areas has now been lifted
There will be a water shut down due to a valve repair that will affect the 300 block of Hickory, Olive, Cumberland, Berkley, Markham, Elizabeth, Myrtle and some of Westchester Subdivision.
Water in these areas shouldn’t be off for long- as soon as the valve is installed, crews will begin restoring water.
Please note that once water is restored, these areas will be under a boil water notice. During a Boil Water Notice, residents and businesses should boil tap water for one minute and let cool before using. For more information: https://www.cdc.gov/…/health_professionals/bwa/public.html
Everyone will be notified once the Boil Water Notice has been lifted.

With millions of dollars in annual economic impact, Hollywood South is alive and thriving in Louisiana. A study commissioned by Louisiana Entertainment, a division of Louisiana Economic Development, indicates the state’s motion picture industry generated annual economic activity of more than $800 million in 2020 alone, despite pandemic shutdowns. Multiple facets of the industry, including widespread opportunities for individuals and businesses to benefit, will be presented when the Northshore Cultural Economy Coalition and the City of Slidell present “The Art of the Film: Louisiana Film Industry Expo” on Saturday, January 8, 10 am to 6 pm at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium. Admission is free.

The stellar lineup of presenters includes Ed and Sue Poole, Hollywood on the Bayou internationally renowned movie experts; Linda Thurman, executive director and author; Greg Barnhill, composer, songwriter and master vocalist; Reid Wick, Membership and Industry Relations, Recording Academy/GRAMMYs, Jay Weigel, music composer, producer and conductor; Christopher Stelly, LEDA Executive Group Director, Entertainment & Digital Media; Trey Burvant, Louisiana Film & Entertainment Association Executive Committee President; Katherine Brooks, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, writer and director; Carroll Morton, Director of Film New Orleans, Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy; Jason Waggenspack, The Ranch Film Studios Head of Possibilities (CEO); Bill Rainey, The Holding Tent casting liaison Bill Rainey, actor/stuntman Austin Naulty and actress Nicole Ferrier.

Presentations will include a focus on how to break into the business, creative and unexpected career options, music songwriting, production and placement, behind-the-scenes glimpses, industry incentives, business opportunities, and a focus on women in the film industry.

A panel presentation on casting and actors’ experiences will be presented at 11 am, followed by an opportunity for individuals and businesses to register for film resource directories if interested in serving as move extras and principals, provider of goods and/or services and to list properties for consideration as film locations.

The event also will feature winners of the “Create Your Own Movie” high school student poster competition. Popular Hollywood South food truck, Old School Eats, will be on site from noon until 4 pm.

The Louisiana Film Industry Expo will be complemented by “Fifty Shades of Louisiana: A Filmmaker’s Paradise” movie poster exhibition, presented by Hollywood on the Bayou, Movie Poster Archives and The City of Slidell, in the Slidell Cultural Center, which will be open from noon to 8 pm the day of the Expo, including the opening reception from 6 to 8 pm. Admission is free.

On Jan. 7, The Northshore Collaborative will present “The Business of Film” luncheon featuring Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. Reservations are available through Dec. 30 at NSCollaborative.com. Reservations are available at NSCollaborative.com.

Additional information about the expo is available via the Art of the Film Expo tab at northshorecec.org. The 2021 economic impact study, conducted by Camoin 310, is available at LouisianaEntertainment.gov.

The Art of the Film Expo is made possible by sponsors Louisiana Northshore/St. Tammany Parish Tourist and Convention Commission, Movie Poster Archives, The Northshore Collaborative, St. Tammany Corporation, Slidell Magazine and Northshore Media Group/The Lake WYLK 94.7 FM. The event is supported by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, as administered by the St. Tammany Parish Commission on Cultural Affairs. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.

The mission of the Northshore Cultural Economy Coalition, founded in 2009, is to facilitate growth, development and increased awareness of the cultural economy and its impact by focusing on coalition building, public policy, business support, outreach, advocacy and arts education. Membership is free and open to all cultural economy workers, organizations and businesses.

Coastal Environmental Services will collect bare Christmas trees inside the Slidell city limits January 10 – 14. Please have your tree out to the curb by 5 am the morning of Monday, January 10 if you would like it to be picked up as part of the recycle tree program. We will be making one pass down every street inside the city collecting all trees that meet the parish requirements. Any trees that do not meet the below description will be thrown in the regular trash.
Any trees put out after these dates will also be put with trash or the resident can bring their tree to the location designated by the parish.
Tree Requirements:
Trees must be stripped of all decorations —ornaments, lights, tinsel, bags, etc. and the stands must be removed completely to be eligible for the program. Flocked trees cannot be accepted.