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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!

"The Green Fence" by Christiane Drieling

April 2 – May 7
118 Cotton Street, West Monroe
Opening Reception: April 2, 5–9 PM
Artist Talk: 6:30 PM (during Downtown Gallery Crawl)

The Northeast Louisiana Arts Council is proud to present “The Green Fence,” a solo exhibition by West Monroe artist Donna F. McGee at The Gallery at 118 Cotton.

This exhibition features a collection of mixed media paintings and sculptural works that explore the complex relationship between the natural environment and the human-made materials that increasingly shape it. Through fluid acrylic paintings layered with recycled plastic materials, McGee depicts regional landscapes and native birds while embedding fragments of everyday plastic packaging into the surface of the work.

These materials - often donated by friends who would otherwise discard them - become part of the visual language of the paintings, incorporating logos, symbols, and fragments of consumer culture into images of the natural world. The result is a striking juxtaposition that invites viewers to consider how modern life intersects with fragile ecosystems.

Alongside the paintings, McGee presents a series of sculptural “cocoons.” These pieces encase biodegradable natural materials such as leaves, branches, and lichens in plastic coatings that prevent them from naturally decomposing. The sculptures serve as both metaphor and experiment, raising questions about permanence, decay, and the lasting environmental impact of plastic materials.

McGee’s work is informed by decades of observation of the natural landscape and an ongoing concern for environmental stewardship. Her artistic practice highlights the contrast between the organic cycles of nature and the persistence of synthetic materials that do not break down within those systems.

Visitors are invited to experience the exhibition during regular gallery hours and to attend the opening reception on April 2 from 5–9 PM, held in conjunction with the Downtown Gallery Crawl. An artist talk at 6:30 PM will offer insight into McGee’s process and the environmental concepts behind the work.

About the Artist

Donna F. McGee holds a Bachelor of Science in Art Education from Mississippi State University and a Master of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing from Louisiana Tech University. She has more than fifty years of experience working in oil, watercolor, acrylic, and mixed media.

McGee taught drawing, design, and painting at the university level for twenty-seven years and has led workshops and instruction in multiple painting mediums throughout her career. Her award-winning work has appeared in over eighty national, regional, and international juried exhibitions, as well as more than eighteen solo exhibitions.

Her paintings are included in both public and private collections, and she remains an active member of numerous professional art organizations. McGee maintains a studio in West Monroe, Louisiana.

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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