NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

6/8/2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES -"Inspirations from the Forest" will be on display at the Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival July 21-22 in Prather Coliseum. This exhibit was produced by the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.

The exhibition developed from the 2005 Smithsonian Folklife Festival program "Forest Service, Culture and Community," which commemorated the 100th anniversary of Forest Service by highlighting the occupational and cultural traditions of those who live and work in our nation's forests and rangelands. The 16-panel exhibition illustrates how artists, writers and musicians draw inspiration from the world of nature.

According to Festival Coordinator Sheila Richmond, the exhibit is a perfect compliment to the Festival theme ­ "Natural Resources in Louisiana's Traditional Cultures."

"In addition to showcasing the use and inspiration of natural resources, this exhibit from the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage will allow festival goers to see work done by artists, writers and musicians from throughout the nation," said Richmond.

"The men and women who work in our forests and rangelands have very special connections to the land," said curator Jim Deutsch of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. "Through this exhibition, we are exploring the ways in which our national forests-timberlands, grasslands, mountains and waterways-have inspired artists to create enduring works of art that impress upon us the importance of preserving our natural resources."

The exhibition will visit 33 different locations including Forest Service visitor centers, museums and festivals in 21 states. The exhibition also will be available online (www.folklife.si.edu/explore/inspirations.html), where visitors will find links to audio and video clips of the featured artists represented; a "Learning Guide" for younger visitors on the arts and natural resources; a "Resource Directory," with information about individuals, publications and Web sites related to the arts and the environment; and a brochure describing the Arts and Rural Community Assistance Initiative, a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and the Forest Service, which provided funding for the exhibition.

This year's Folk Festival will also include music, food, Kidfest and crafts. Exhibits and narrative sessions will provide useful information and background on topics related to the theme.

The Festival will again host the Louisiana State Fiddle Championship on Saturday, July 22, from. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Prather Coliseum's Main Stage. Fiddlers from around the state will compete for cash prizes and ribbons.

Activities will be from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $7 for an all day pass, $5 for an evening pass and $10 for a weekend pass which is available in advance only. Children age 7-12 are admitted for $3, and children under six are admitted free.

For more information, contact the Louisiana Folklife Center at (318) 357-4332 or visit www.nsula.edu/folklife.

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