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The Gallery

The Gallery at 118 Cotton

For the first time in it's 40+ year history, the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council is proud to debut The Gallery at 118 Cotton, located in our brand new office location. This beautiful exhibition space features a state of the art hanging system, boasts beautiful historic brick walls and offers the perfect amount of space for an art exhibition, workshop or initmate private event.

Upcoming Exhibition...

COMING TO THE GALLERY SOON!

Playtime by Christiane Drieling

February 2 – March 12
118 Cotton Street, West Monroe
Opening Reception: February 5, 5–9 PM
Artist Talk: 6:30 PM (during Downtown Gallery Crawl)

The Northeast Louisiana Arts Council is pleased to present Playtime, a solo exhibition by collage and assemblage artist Christiane Drieling, on view at The Gallery at 118 Cotton from February 2 through March 12.

In Playtime, Drieling transforms vintage storybooks, toys, puppets, and found materials into visually rich collages and sculptural assemblages that feel whimsical at first glance - yet quietly explore deeper questions of identity, belonging, memory, and social roles. By removing familiar characters from their original narratives and placing them into new, unexpected contexts, her work invites viewers to reconsider the stories we inherit and the ones we choose to tell.

Rooted in both personal history and sociological inquiry, Drieling’s practice draws heavily on German folktales and Western storytelling traditions, reflecting her upbringing in Northern Germany and her academic background in sociology, psychology, and literature. The playful materials she employs - old children’s books, game pieces, and toys - serve as emotional touchstones, connecting her work to childhood, home, and the formative power of storytelling. Humor and nostalgia act as an entry point, allowing even complex or heavy themes to remain approachable, with hope always hovering just within reach.

Drieling has exhibited widely across Louisiana and beyond, including solo exhibitions at the Masur Museum of Art and participation in international juried shows such as Surreal Salon at Baton Rouge Gallery. Her work is held in private collections in the United States and Europe.

An opening reception will be held on Thursday, February 5, from 5–9 PM, in conjunction with Downtown Gallery Crawl. Drieling will present an artist talk at 6:30 PM, offering insight into her process, materials, and the narratives embedded within her work. The reception and artist talk are free and open to the public.

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Are you a practicing artist interested in showing your work in The Gallery at the NELA Arts Council?

We’re happy to offer the opportunity to submit your exhibition proposal for consideration.

Visual artists working in any medium are encouraged to apply below.

Applications are open year-round and proposals reviewed twice a year.
How it works:
  • Submit your exhibition proposal by providing the following: Artist Biography, CV, Artist Statement, Exhibition Statement, & artwork examples in the form below.
  • All works submitted will be reviewed by Region8's Gallery Committee. While artists may provide a specific goal for an exhibition, the scope, final selection and layout of works will be determined by Region8’s Gallery Coordinator & Committee in consultation with the artist.
  • Artists should bear in mind the need for a consistent and very strong body of work when submitting.
  • Following each review, artists selected will be notified.
First Name *
Last Name *
Country
Address Line 1 *
City *
State/Province *
Postal Code *

Please reference the example above then upload CV in list form below as a PDF. Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 128 MB.

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Provide a 200-300 word statement that summarizes your background and significant experience as an artist. Begin by introducing yourself with your name, medium, and some background information. This can include where you were born, where you work, and when you first became interested in the arts. Discuss any art training or schooling you have completed, along with any awards, exhibitions, or other relevant achievements. If none, state that you are self taught. You can also mention if you’re featured in any important collections or prominent art publications. Include any recent shows or important projects you’re working on.

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Write a short paragraph about your general artistic practice. This can include your inspirations, technique, interests, or topics you frequently find yourself addressing throughout your body of work. When writing, ask yourself the following questions: What am I doing? How am I doing it? Why am I doing it? What influences me most? How does my art relate to the art of my contemporaries? What do I want others to understand about my art?

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In under 500 words, provide a concise plan for the exhibition that tells us what the physical work is, the general theme, and a sense of the exhibition’s scale (how many pieces, size, etc.). When writing your exhibition proposal, consider the following items: A brief overview of the concept behind the show. What does this body of work communicate? Tell us about the influences or inspirations behind this work. How are the methods or techniques you use important to this body of work? Tell us how, or what, the choice of medium or process contributes to this work. Number of works and description of works to be included. Specifics of installation. If your work requires specific installation techniques or equipment, let us know what those are. For example, numerous electrical outlets, audio-visual equipment, or specialized wall mounts.

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Terms & Conditions

By clicking submit I confirm that...

  • I have thoroughly reviewed and comprehended the provided instructions.
  • I understand if chosen, I will be responsible for the transport of my work to and from the gallery.
  • I understand all works submitted will be reviewed by Region8's Gallery Committee. While artists may provide a specific goal for an exhibition, the scope, final selection and layout of works will be determined by Region8's Gallery Coordinator and Committee in consultation with the artist.
  • I understand all work selected for the exhibition must arrive ready to install. Works not gallery-ready may be omitted from the exhibit. Accepted work that differs significantly from the submitted images may be omitted.
  • I understand artists should be aware that they are responsible for the retrieval of their art within the loan period. Any artwork that has not been retrieved within the loan period becomes property of the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council.
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