LSMSA Art Faculty member participates in 6-month North Louisiana Virtual Residency Program

“I am proud to be representing Louisiana in this year’s residency,” said King, who will go on to a sabbatical in the Fall of 2021 where he plans on developing a new body of work inspired by the ideas and conversations shared among the artists in the program.

 

All artists meet virtually, once a week for 90 minutes for discussions prompted by the Residency Director and work presentations from each artist. In March King will work with his partner, Nigerian artist Oluwakayode Moyosade, on a collaborative project over the next six months, which will be exhibited in 2022.

 

Chris King is a multimedia artist and educator based in Natchitoches, LA originally from Los Angeles. His work explores themes of displacement, injustice, immigration, and social ailments through painting, sculpture, installation, and drawing. His current work is influenced by his role as an educator and his thoughts & feelings during the Covid 19 Pandemic. 

 

It's important for King to bring his experiences as an artist to the classroom for many reasons, the main one being to inspire his students. 

 

“I hope in sharing my pursuit of professional opportunities, that I offer a new perspective to my students as a contemporary artist living and working in Louisiana,” he shared. “This residency provides me the opportunity to collaborate weekly with artists from around the World and I really want to show the LSMSA Community that art is much more than the accumulation of technical skills, it is a language that can be used to validate one's own history, communicate ideas, and influence humanity.”

 

As an Art Instructor at LSMSA King strives to maintain a professional art career as expected by any top University. Keeping a current portfolio, visiting artist lectures, and residencies are all part of being an effective arts educator. 

 

“As a participant in this program, I hope to offer any support I can to the other artists and their projects,” he said. “I also consider myself an avid learner and look forward to the diversity of insight and technical skills the other participants have to offer.”

 

The driving force behind the newly formed North Louisiana Virtual Residency Program is the Ross Lynn Foundation, a young organization trying to accomplish inventive things in North Louisiana. Their namesake, Ross Lynn was a well-travelled, adventure artist from Shreveport, LA who had many talents. His Foundation along with the North Louisiana Arts Council hope to create a world-wide collaborative community through art, outdoor adventure, and healthy living. 

 

“I’m thankful to have been chosen to participate in this year’s residency and look forward to building a relationship with these valuable Louisiana organizations,” said King.

 

For more information about the Ross Lynn Foundation go online to https://www.rosslynnfoundation.org/.

 

For more information about the Arts at LSMSA go online to lsmsa.edu.