Wendy Rodrigue, widow of artist George Rodrigue, will read excerpts and sign copies of her book, “The Other Side of the Painting,” during an event at the Hilliard University Art Museum at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Her talk is free and open to the public. It will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 15.
“The Other Side of the Painting,” published by UL Press in 2013, focuses on George Rodrigue’s life and work. The artist, who is best known for his “Blue Dog” paintings, died in 2013 at age 69.
“The book is a project George encouraged from the beginning, and it’s full of his quotes and our stories, including the history behind many of his best-known Cajun and Blue Dog paintings,” Wendy Rodrigue said.
“The Other Side of the Painting” also contains George Rodrigue’s recollections of his hometown, New Iberia, La.; information about his days in art school; and his early years as a professional artist in Lafayette.
Original Rodrigue works from the couple’s private collection will be displayed as part of the talk. They will include a painting by the artist that appears on the cover of “The Other Side of the Painting.” George Rodrigue selected the work, which he completed in 1965 while studying at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, for the book’s cover.
Proceeds from sales of “The Other Side of the Painting” benefit The George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts, a nonprofit organization he founded in 2009.
Foundation projects include an annual statewide scholarship contest for Louisiana high school students, providing art supplies for students through “George’s Art Closet,” and a print donation program that benefits hundreds of non-profits nationwide.
Hilliard University Art Museum features 11,000 square feet of gallery space and is the largest exhibition space between Houston and New Orleans. It houses a collection of 18th- through 21st-century European, Asian and American art. In addition to its permanent collection, it offers changing exhibitions of regional, national and international art.
The museum is at 710 E. St. Mary Blvd., on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus.
To learn more about the museum, exhibits, programs, and hours, visit hilliardmuseum.org or call (337) 482-2278.