First Fridays arts series highlights fused glass artist

    Fused glass artist Jerilyn Lavergne of Sunset continues the First Fridays with a Little Lagniappe series from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, April 13 at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Information Center, I-49 exit 23, just north of Opelousas. With the theme “Constructing Art: Salvage – Reuse – Create,” the First Fridays series emphasizes recycling and features artists who create new art out of materials left over from the Visitor Center construction.

Jerilyn Lavergne

    These pieces will later be used in a traveling exhibit throughout the parish. The exhibit is part of the Visitor Center’s focus on green construction and sustainable practices, both old and new.

    A native of Sunset born in 1948, Lavergne reflects world travel and other lifetime experiences in her fused glass pieces, which range from jewelry and masks to wind chimes and fish.  After marrying and starting a family in Lagos, Nigeria, Lavergne spent seven years in West Africa as a student of its culture and art forms. Lavergne also absorbed European influences while she lived in London and Paris.

    After returning to Sunset, Lavergne became a registered nurse, working at several area hospitals and a nursing home. But retirement from nursing now allows Lavergne to concentrate on her art business, Jerilyn’s Glass Studio.

Art by Jerilyn Lavergne

    Lavergne is a member of the Louisiana Crafts Guild and has exhibited at numerous festivals, including Festivals Acadiens et Creoles and Festival International de Louisiane.

    Admission is free to the First Fridays series, which continues through August. Artists scheduled for upcoming shows include:

• May 4: Michelle Fontenot – glass and mosaics, mixed media, art created from found objects; George Marks – mixed media
• June 1: Christine Ledoux – glass & mosaics, mixed media
• July 6: Margaret Brinkhaus – art created from natural objects, palmetto weavings
• August 3: Tommy Myers – mixed media, woodworker, birdhouses created from found objects

    First Fridays is supported in part by a Grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council as administered by the Acadiana Center for the Arts.

    For more information, call the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission at (337) 948-8004. Follow the center on Twitter @StLandryParish or on Facebook at St. Landry Parish – It’s Gumbo for Your Soul.