About Us

Barry Stevens has served the Arts Council of Northeast Louisiana as president since 2016. Before serving as president, Barry worked as the community development coordinator. A native of Austin, TX, Barry is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University, the Bank Operations Institute at East Texas State University (now Texas A&M University-Commerce), and the LSU School of Banking. He has served as president of the Louisiana Young Bankers, treasurer and president of the Princess Theatre in Winnsboro, and was a founding director and president of the Princess Theatre Foundation. Barry was instrumental in the formation and establishment of the Old Post Office Museum in Winnsboro, serving as a founding member and treasurer of that organization.

Barry served as District Governor of Lions International District 8-I for the Lions year 2016-2017. His hobbies include music and genealogy. He and his wife Gayla are the parents of three grown daughters and proud grandparents of two granddaughters and three grandsons.

Abigail Handy-Garcia joined the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council in July 2020. Growing up in a rural northeast Louisiana community, she developed a love for the arts when she discovered photography through her local 4-H club in middle school. She has been a commercial photographer, visual storyteller and visual artist for the last 20 years, in addition to being a published writer. As a Mama of three - ages 16, 10 & 8 - Abigail has a passion for championing the arts in the local public school system as well as championing public art in the local community, ensuring access to art for all, regardless of background, age or ability.

Abigail is an active member of Photographers Without Borders, a worldwide movement of diverse and ethical storytellers. Her hobbies include traveling to new places, meeting new people, drinking copious amounts of coffee, street-art hunting with her kiddos and chasing sunsets. She and her family currently reside in West Monroe.