heather ryan kelley

Tumbling Stone

a virtual reception will be held via our facebook and instagram pages on december 2nd. Follow us at BRGallery for updates and images!

the in-person FIRST WEDNESDAY OPENING RECEPTION & artICULATE aRTIST tALK have been cancelled for this exhibition due to risks associated with the covid-19 pandemic. the gallery will be open during regular business hours (Tu - Su, 12pm - 6pm) for individuals or groups under 25 people. social distancing and masks are required.

Heather Ryan Kelley is a professor of art at McNeese State University where she teaches painting. She holds a BFA in printmaking from Southern Methodist University and an MA in painting from Northwestern State University. In 2009 she established The Midden Heap Press, a press devoted to prints, artist books, and collaborative ephemera.

“The still life paintings in this exhibition have the theme of a journey. The journey may be an excursion for pleasure, an experience that tests one’s personal strength, or more broadly viewed as one’s life journey. In preparation for most trips we gather clothing, practical supplies, and possibly reading material, maps, and guidebooks. Among the items may be a talisman or a religious medallion. The holder of such an object might see it as having positive symbolism, as a representation of faith, or perhaps the holder may believe the object to be endowed with a special power to ward off bad luck, evil, sorrow or loss. In this series are renderings of talismans, books, and travel cases that might have been gathered by a wanderer or pilgrim.”

Check out Louisiana Public Broadcasting’s Art Rocks episode featuring Heather Ryan Kelley, and listen to her discuss this current body of work in her own words.

This exhibition is presented alongside the latest works from Rob Carpenter, David Horton & Kristine Thompson. All works from these artists are on view, free of charge, during normal gallery hours (12 - 6 p.m., Tue - Sun) from May 4th through the 27th.