HRAC HONORS MEMORY OF MARJORIE MORRISON

HAMMOND, La.– Every other year, the Hammond Regional Arts Center presents the Marjorie Morrison Sculpture Biennial to honor Marjorie Morrison, wife of former U.S. Representative James H. “Jimmy” Morrison and a longtime advocate of the arts. While each biennial celebrates Morrison’s contributions to the arts, this year’s biennial will feel a lot more personal as the HRAC remembers Morrison, who passed away in 2016.
Morrison was a lifelong supporter of the cultural efforts in Hammond and a continued patron of the arts in the Southeast Louisiana region. She was a key player among the original members of the HRAC (formerly the Hammond Cultural Foundation) who helped to get the non-profit organization off the ground 35 years ago. Morrison served as the organization’s first president and has spent countless hours promoting the arts in Louisiana. In 2010, the Louisiana Public Broadcasting honored her for her advocacy and philanthropy by recognizing her as a “Louisiana Legend.”
“Marjorie was the quintessential Southern lady,” said HRAC Media Coordinator Tara Bennett. “I felt so privileged to have worked with Marjorie during these last few years at the HRAC, and I miss her warm and genuine manner. She was a wonderful woman and a friend to so many in the Hammond community. We learned so much from her, and we’re excited to honor her with deepest affection at the biennial.”
To honor the legacy of the official “Grand Dame” of Hammond, the HRAC will present a throwback celebration of the 70’s. The evening will feature local theatre performers from the Southeastern chapter of Alpha Psi Omega who will bring 70’s characters to life along with a special unveiling of the newest HRAC attraction, the Art-O-Mat. There will also be a buffet of Morrison’s favorite HRAC recipes and one of her signature cocktails, the Magnolia Blossom. This special buffet is free for new members, $5 for current members and $10 for non-members.

Morrison was known for her impeccable taste in clothing and chic sense of style, and so the HRAC encourages everyone to honor her by dressing in their favorite 70’s attire. Need something to wear? Visit Hammond’s newest vintage clothing boutique, the Velvet Vagabond, located at 19522 Hwy. 190 E in Hammond. Store hours are Thursday-Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.
This fifth installation of the Marjorie Morrison Sculpture Biennial is curated by Southeastern Professor of Sculpture Jeff Mickey. He was asked to curate the sculpture invitational this year, because of his accomplishments in the art world, but also because of his continued dedication to arts education in Tangipahoa Parish.
For the biennial, Mickey will bring in professional artwork by 18 sculptors that will be sure to amaze and inspire anyone who visits the exhibition. This installment of the biennial will include work from Dale Newkirk, Steven Schepker, Cristina Molina, Gary Keown, Tom LaPann, Ernest Milsted, Maggie McConnell, Aaron Patterson, Jean Flint, Jeffrey Scanlan, Ben Netterville, Benjamin Diller, Roy Blackwood, Lynda Katz, Dennis Sipiorski, Nancy Perrilloux, Katherine Marquette, and Pat Macaluso.
The exhibition will open with a public reception at the HRAC on Friday, Jan. 12 from 5-8 p.m. and will remain on display in the gallery until February 23.

“Darling” by Cristina Molina.

The Hammond Regional Arts Center (HRAC) supports, promotes, and coordinates visual, performing, and literary arts in Tangipahoa Parish and surrounding parishes. Our primary mission is to enrich lives through quality arts education, develop an appreciation of the arts within individuals, and introduce the public to professional exhibitions, performances and literature.
The Hammond Regional Arts Center is supported in part by a Decentralized Arts Funding Grant from the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge in cooperation with the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, and Louisiana State Arts Council.
If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Media Coordinator Tara Bennett at 985-542-7113 or email at tbennett@hammondarts.org.
Press release submitted.