LSU Museum of Art presents A Bayou State of Mind This September

BATON ROUGE, La (press release) – The LSU Museum of Art announced A Bayou State of Mind, on view Sept. 4.

How do you translate the spirit of your environment?

The museum shares that the exhibition A Bayou State of Mind showcases the rich tapestry of Louisiana’s culture, traditions, history, land and essence, as a diverse mix of artists respond to and envision the state’s unique character as translated through their personal experiences and histories. From the deep-rooted perspectives of natives such as Malaika Favorite, John T. Scott, and Shirley Rabé Masinter, to the evocative impressions of those captivated during brief encounters, like Nathalie Miebach and Richard Misrach, the objects relate intimate responses to a complex environment.

A highlight of the exhibition is The Bayou Collection, a series of forty paintings by George Rodrigue (1944-2013), originally created to accompany a compilation of ghost stories by author Chris Segura. Premiered at the 1984 World’s Fair in New Orleans, Rodrigue’s imaginative renderings are steeped in his signature Cajun style. This labor of love includes the first painting of Rodrigue’s iconic “Blue Dog”—his cherished spaniel-terrier, Tiffany. Watchdog depicts the loup-garou, a mythical werewolf dog who lurks in cemeteries and sugar cane fields. The artist envisioned the creature as small and blue, with piercing yellow eyes. Using old photographs of Tiffany as the model, the painting presents the viewer with a “beast” who appears more misunderstood and approachable, rather than scary. Tiffany’s premiere in The Bayou Collection was a pivot point for Rodrigue—as the dog became the primary focus of his work from this point forward.

A Bayou State of Mind represents a broad overview of contemporary presented in over 120 objects, including photography, new media, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. The artists embody an array of cultural heritages and backgrounds, mirroring the diverse nature of Louisiana. The full list of artists featured in the exhibition include: Ben Depp (photography), Johanna Warwick (photography), James Michalopoulos (painting), Nathalie Miebach (sculpture), Vitus Shell (painting), Jesse Allison (new media), Derrick Ostrenko (new media), Ron Bechet (drawing and painting), John T. Scott (printmaking), Shirley Rabé Masinter (painting), Malaika Favorite (mixed media), Carl Joe Williams (painting), Eric Waters (photography), Gene Koss (glass), Hunt Slonem (paintings), Rolland Golden (painting), Tina Freeman (photography), Carrie Mae Weems (photography), Janice Sachse (printmaking), Morgan Elmore, Jr. (painting), Robert Warrens (printmaking), Letitia Huckaby (mixed media), Jonathan Bachman (photography), Richard Misrach (photography), Debbie Fleming Caffery (photography), Dawn Dedeaux (sculpture), David Freese (photography), Thomas Neff(photography), Michael Frederic Daugherty (mixed media), Sidney Garrett (sculpture), Steve Rucker (ceramics), and George Rodrigue (painting).

Visit www.lsumoa.org to learn more about the exhibition and upcoming programming at the LSU Museum of Art. The exhibition will be on view at the LSU Museum of Art in Baton Rouge, LA (100 Lafayette Street, Shaw Center for the Arts 5th floor) September 4, 2025-January 4, 2026.

EXHIBITION PROGRAMS DETAILS BELOW:

Free First Sunday: All about Rodrigue!

Sunday, Sept. 7 / 1–4 p.m.

Celebrate Louisiana’s iconic George Rodrigue by exploring his paintings in the A Bayou State of Mind exhibition. Then, put your own creative spin on the Blue Dog with a fun “multiverse Blue Dogs” art activity using ink and collage! Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.

Free Public Reception

Thursday, Sept. 11 / 6–8 p.m.

Join us for a free public Fall Reception from 6–8 PM as we celebrate two exhibitions: Carved & Crafted: The Art of Letterpress and A Bayou State of Mind. Museum members are invited to an exclusive meet and greet with the artists from 5–6 PM. To become a member visit lsumoa.org/membership

Free First Sunday: Bayou Bonanza

Sunday, Oct. 5 / 1–4 p.m.

Celebrate Louisiana’s vibrant culture with an afternoon of art, music, and hands-on fun! Explore artwork inspired by the bayou and create your own lantern with artist Jamey Grimes. Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.

Joint Michalopoulos Reception with Manship Theatre

Tuesday, Oct. 7 / 5:30 p.m.

A Bayou State of Mind Artist James Michalopoulos speaks at 5:30 PM at the LSU Museum of Art (fifth floor), followed immediately by a reception in the Gallery at Manship, location of his exhibition.

Rodrigue Film Screening / Meet & Greet

Friday, Dec. 5 / 5 p.m.

Join for an evening celebrating the life and legacy of Louisiana artist George Rodrigue.