DIVERSITY'S FIRST THREE YEARS

...May 1, 2000 through May 1, 2003...

MAY 1, 2000
May first, our birthday as a public art gallery ...was chosen as a tribute to the historical principles of cooperation. Diversity believes that cooperation has more power than competition in the human, social situation we all live in - especially within the context of the arts.

After one year of being used exclusively as an individual artist's studio, Diversity provided more exhibition space for local and regional artists and celebrated the gallery's grand opening on May 6, 2000 during Leesville's annual downtown festival, MAYFEST.

JUNE 14 - JULY 14, 2000
PAULA SCHEUNEMAN'S one person show "Images" will be Diversity's first one person show, featuring over 20 recent works.

OCTOBER 25, 2000
Mrs. Savell and her Vernon Middle School class will visit Diversity. Thank you to Isabelle for her help with this.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2000
"Cards for Faith", a community workshop will be held at Diversity to create handmade "get well" cards for Faith Hoenstiene. Faith has some serious health problems and we're hoping that this group effort will be a positive event for everyone involved. (10 am - 1 pm at Diversity)

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2000
ANTWINETTE COFIELD, an artist who has shown her work at Diversity, is having a show November 13th at the Orville Hanchey Gallery on the campus of Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Her opening reception will be that night at 7pm.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16 - DECEMBER 16, 2000
JULIE BRIDGES will be having a one-person show at Diversity. The opening reception for "Unpolished Grace" will be held on the 16th at 7pm. In addition to Julie's excellent graphic work, she's mentioned some plans for performance art as well.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2000
"Art Day at Diversity" an art camp for all ages - instructor: Paula Scheuneman - $10 materials fee

JANUARY 18 - FEBRUARY 18, 2001
JESSICA CASON'S one person show "Created in His Image" will begin with an opening reception at Diversity - Thursday, January 18th at 7pm.

Brochure from "Created in his Image"

JANUARY 20, 2001
(and every third Saturday of the month throughout the year)
EVA WILLIAMS assisted by Paula Scheuneman, will instruct an art class designed for young people in the Vernon Parish area. The class will be held at the Leesville Neighborhood Center. (1003 North Gladys Street) Much of the credit for this excellent project goes to Bridgit Huie, Leroy Stokes, Phillip Gunn and the Central Louisiana Arts Council. Please call Diversity (392-8540) or the Leesville Neighborhood Center (238-3271) for more information.

JANUARY 20, 2001
All artists at Diversity are invited to Eva's house for a very informal celebration at 7pm. Please contact us for directions.

MARCH 3 - MAY 5, 2001
"SPIRIT WALKERS"
A group show ...expressing the spirits within... Opening reception - Saturday, March 3rd - 7pm at Diversity

MARCH 19-25, 2001
JESSICA CASON an exhibiting artist at Diversity, will be exhibiting her work in Natchitoches at the Orville Hanchey Gallery on the NSU campus. An opening reception honoring Jessica will begin at 7 pm, Thursday, March 22nd.

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2001
JULIE BRIDGES, an exhibiting artist at Diversity, will have a one-person show in Natchitoches at the Orville Hanchey Gallery on the NSU campus. An opening reception honoring Julie will begin at 7 pm, Thursday, March 29th.

MAY 5, 2001
The Vernon Arts Council's annual festival MAYFEST 2001 will be held all day in downtown Leesville. Diversity will also celebrate it's first birthday on this Saturday. Please join us!

JULY 23 - AUGUST 23, 2001
TONY MCDONALD'S "RECENT WORK" is Diversity's first installation using the middle gallery as a special exhibition space. RECENT WORK represents a sample of a larger, more comprehensive show coming to NSU/Natchitoches in September 2001.

view of Tony's work in Diversity's main gallery

TONY McDONALD
"Recent Work"
Diversity Gallery & Studios
July 23 - August 23, 2001

JULY 30 - AUGUST 3, 2001
DIVERSITY ART CAMP 2001 will be an educational and fun experience for young people ages 5 to 12 years old.

SEPTEMBER 3 - 28, 2001
TONY McDONALD'S "Flora & Fawna" will be on exhibit at the Orville Hanchey Gallery Two - CAPA Building, Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA - Open M-F 8-4:30 - Reception: September 14th 7-9pm

SEPTEMBER 11 - OCTOBER 11, 2001
CLYDE DOWNS' "High Plain Variations" will be on exhibit in Diversity's main gallery. A reception honoring the artist will be held at Diversity on Saturday, Sept 29th at 7pm.

High Plain Variations - Diversity - Sept/Oct 2001

CLYDE DOWNS
"High Plain Variations"
September 11 - October 11, 2001
Diversity Gallery & Studios

SEPTEMBER 15, 2001
DIVERSITY'S ARTS LIBRARY opens to the public.

OCTOBER 31, 2001
Irene Savell's middle school class will come to Diversity for their 2nd annual field trip.

NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER, 11, 2001
ISABELLE MASSART is organizing a BENEFIT ART AUCTION to support the victims of terrorism. 100% of all proceeds will go to the American Red Cross.

DECEMBER 1, 2001
Leesville's Downtown Merchants Association is sponsoring a DOWNTOWN OPEN HOUSE. Diversity, along with a number of other businesses in the historic downtown district, will be open from 10 am to 2 pm on this special day.

This event marked the inaugural edition of DIVERSITY'S ART ANIMALS

Ben & Levi roamed throughout downtown Leesville distributing propaganda about Diversity.

Costumes by GEORGE WOLFE

DECEMBER 8, 2001
Diversity will open during Leesville's annual Christmas parade 6-9pm

FEBRUARY 14 - MARCH 1, 2002
"The Ways We Love" by JESSICA C. ASHWORTH will be Diversity's first exhibit of poetry. A reception honoring Jessica will be held Friday, Feb. 15th, 6:30-8:30 pm at Diversity.

MARCH 11 - MARCH 31, 2002
"Untitled Work" by PHIL BOURGEOIS

APRIL & MAY, 2002
"Drawing Conclusions" -a group show highlighting the work from our ongoing life-art sessions at Diversity.

SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER, 2002
"Coming Home" - a group show highlighting the work of 7 former Leesville High School art students.

May 2003 and beyond

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