Artspace

SRAC is a hard organization to support. For years they had interesting programming thanks to the work of a tireless exhibition director, but once that person left, it’s been downhill ever since.
Nobody has filled the shoes of their last longstanding figurehead and the space has been floating aimlessly for years now. Their latest hire is a very divisive local artist who has her favorites and has burned many bridges and that has definitely been reflected in the mood at Artspace. Exhibitions stay up for months past their expiration date, nobody is staging shows, classes have fallen by the wayside, and new talent is being eschewed for old favoritism. You cannot get your foot in the door unless you’re on her side and her side is very hard to get next to.
It’s awful to see an organization that had so many exciting exhibitions and events in the past fall into this trap of being drug down by one very negative personality, but I have hope that they’ll find their way back to the top of the arts heap. However, it speaks to a definite decline in their leadership that they cannot find a good hire for the exhibition director position. Someone who is objective or even, dare I hope, impartial needs to come to the job with no baggage and a positive attitude. Until then, there’s always BAC.

Artspace is awesome. The exhibits transition out well, and is well presented. The downstairs area for the kids is little lacking in creativity, but is decent. I do wish the TNT would return!

Wandered upon Artspace on a whim while browsing downtown during a trip to the area. The displays change so I was lucky to go while the current project was Dr. Blood’s Library Macabre. Very cool. Walk through displays based on literature such as It, Dracula, Dorian Gray. Little details everywhere, perfect for photography. My friend and I very much enjoyed our visit.

Awesome art house!

I really, really dug this place. Great selection of artists and media. While some spaces didn’t blow up my skirt too much, I would say that I probably found half of their artists’ spaces fascinating for one reason or another. I wish there were more galleries like this. They also were doing some special kids’ activity when I went there for what looked like a classroom full of pre-​teens. It was cool to try to imagine what they though of such a place.

Artspace is the hidden gem of Shreveport/​Bossier. It’s the answer to the question of, ‘Where do I find culture in this town?’ The exhibition space host regular gallery opening parties — not to be missed! Artscare, the annual Halloween party is the best ticket in town (dress to impress). And Artspace holds a lot of regular events. There’s also a gift shop featuring local artists and a café. The café is amazing.
The Café at Artspace features a reguarly changing menu of very fresh ingredients and vegetarian offerings. The portion sizes are generous and it won’t kill your wallet either. The only disappointing thing about the Café is that they’re only open for lunch. I wish they were open more often, getting good food downtown is difficult.
The Good:
What’s not to love? Art, Culture, and meeting interesting people in Shreveport/​Bossier. Prices for events are either free, donation based, or very fair given the food and entertainment they put out. The Café and Giftspace always have cool offerings.
The Bad:
Downtown parking. There’s a fee lot across the street, although when they have events there’s a policeman to escort you across.

This is just a really cool place that shows fantastic contemporary to modern works of art for every exhibit. They also host the BEST annual Halloween party in this area! «Artscare» is just a wicked little get-​together held at artspace. This year it will be on the Friday, October 28^th and tickets are $ 25 per person and worth every single bloody penny as it goes back into the gallery for more of their great exhibitions and the upkeep of the gallery. Past exhibitions at artspace have been devoted to Mexico’s «Day of the Dead», The Art of Tattooing, Graffiti Art, strange and inspiring cake art, the fabulous works of Shreveport wunderkind William Joyce, he of «Rollie Pollie Ollie» and «Meet the Robinsons» fame. Artscare, the celebration, is without a doubt the party of the year, minus when the SRAC (Shreveport Regional Arts Council) also hosts «Christmas In the Sky», but that is bigtime bucks, but it is also what Special Events International Magazine deemed, «The best gala in the world!»…No kidding. It’s true, though, «Christmas In the Sky» is quite the throwdown for the regional upper crust and though it requires an entrance at quite the monetary expense, it is very much well worth it, and again it all goes to a very good cause, local arts programs. Artspace is located on Texas Street, in between First Methodist Church and the Robinson Film Center. It is part of the TNT Thursday Night Trolley tour, the downtown pub and culture crawl and their next exhibit, premiering Friday, September 9^th is «The Fantastic Mr. Fox»! Just like the stop motion Wes Anderson film.
During regular visitation hours: Monday 10am-​2pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 10am-​5pm, Thursday 10am-​7pm, Friday 10am-​5pm, Saturday 12 pm-5:30pm.
There is no admission fee but donations are greatly appreciated and encouraged.
I just like to wander around artspace anytime I have minutes to kill before or after catching a cool flick down the street at the Robinson Film Center. I like to see what they have on display, what’s been going on down there and what’s coming up. The gift shop at artspace also has several unique and interesting little trinkets that you can pick up on the cheap for that next occasion that you may have coming up for someone, or you might just pick up something for yourself.
This year’s theme to «Artscare» is «Dead Celeb Ball». You and your date can dress as your favorite dead celebrities, or you can just «dress to die for»! Tickets can be purchased on site at 710 Texas Street, but I recommend buying them early (like, now!) because they will sellout! It is going to be a huge and awesome party! How many Amy Winehouses will there be? I know it’s sad, but true. And how many will be female? «Artscare» and artspace are a blast! It’s going to be awesome and hilarious! Check both «Artscare» and artspace out! You will dig them both! Artspace also has a really good café for food and drinks, and they will also provide the appetizers for the party, which is included in your $ 25 admission. The party starts at 7:30 pm and goes until…
I also forgot to mention… they host weddings at Artspace… some friends of mine got married on the 2^nd floor of Artspace a few years ago, and to this day, it is the coolest Shreveport-​Bossier wedding to which I have ever attended. Artspace puts on real good nuptials, just in case you’re looking for a place here locally to tie the knot!