A Walk down Texas Street

Here is some of the art as I took a quick walk down Texas Street. I am still searching out other murals and sculptures.


"Quilt Kiosks" by  Barbara Abbott and Frances Drew

"Quilt Kiosks" by  Barbara Abbott and Frances Drew

"Quilt Kiosks " 

Directly across from the Court house on Texas Street and McNeil, this is an interesting statue that should be observed up close to see all the different pieces incorporated. "Quilt Kiosks" is concrete with ceramic, glass, and porcelain pieces incorporated.  I'm a glad to see that this sculpture has a prominent position on Texas Street across from the court house, especially after learning that both the artists had past away.

Barbara Willis Abbott was an Art Ceramicist and ran her own pottery company in California from 1943 to 1973.   

Her pieces were early contributors to mid-century modern design and her pieces have a good collector following.  Barbara Willis Abbott passed away in September of 2011, click here for her obituary.

The Autry Museum has part of her collection in "California Pottery: From Missions to Modernism".

Oops, I've been corrected, the Barabara Abbott that actually worked on "Quilt Kiosks" was actually a faculty member at LSUS during the completion of the sculpture. Here is a link to her art works at LSUS.

(But an artist whose entire career is based on pottery and ceramics builds a ceramic infused sculpture, you can see where I was mistaken)

Frances Drew was a local Shreveport artist that had a passion for painting and capturing meaning and beauty.  Ms. Drew painted her faith into her pictures, and said that she used to paint on whatever she could when she couldn't afford a proper canvass, including cardboard or old paneling.  Click here for an interview with the Shreveport Times in 2006.

Frances Drew passed away in 2007, click here for an obituary.

Donna Moore painted the 'Muses" murals in The Strand Theater, she passed away in 2010.  click here for a memorial. 

"Huddie Ledbetter" by Jessie Pitts Jr.

 "Huddie Ledbetter" by  Jessie Pitts Jr.

Jessie Pitts Jr. "Huddie Ledbetter"

Located at the northest corner of Texas Street and Marshall, next to the Shreveport Library. The bronze stature by Jessie Pitts Jr. is of local legend  Huddie "Lead Belly" Ledbetter and his 12 string guitar.
Jessie Pitt is a Shreveport local and made the sculpture in 1993, but I couldn't find out much more about the artist.


Get more information on the musical legend Huddie "Lead Belly" Ledbetter here.
Directions to memorial and grave of Huddie Ledbetter.

"Turning to the Right" by Patrick Miller

"Turning to the Right" by Patrick Miller with BPCC photobomb in background

"Turning to the Right" by Patrick Miller

 Located at Texas Street and Edwards, a memorial to the discovery of natural gas in 1870.  The area's first commercial reservoirs of oil were discovered in 1905. Put a bit in the ground and start "turning to the right." 

Patrick Miller is a local Louisiana sculptor and has done many busts and sculptures of community and historical leaders.  He also has several 12 foot bronze tiger sculptures at LSU Stadium.

Website for works of Patrick Miller.

Roberto Salas architectural mural 

318 Texas by Roberto Salas

318 Texas Street by Roberto Salas

In 1998 Roberto Salas did twelve murals in Shreveport highlighting architectural details of Shreveport's buildings.  The murals were done in acrylic.  Now I just need to find the 11 others...
I like this mural, it is just too bad that it is falling apart, but maybe that makes it fit a theme in Shreveport, at least with murals.

Here is Roberto Salas' website.

Folk Art Gallery 620 Texas

temporary facade on the Fol Art Gallery at 620 Texas St.

Jimmy Lee Sudduth

620 Texas

Sarah Mary Tayl;or

Richard Burnside

These, I assume, are temporary art as the building is being remodeled.  I don't know if this is affiliated or a new location for the Little Shanty Folk Art Gallery on Line Ave. but here is a link to Little Shanty anyway.

Shreveport Music Legends

There are large posters of several musical Shreveport Legends on the side of the building of Texas Street and Louisiana St.  Check out the Tipitina's Website featuring those legends at Shreveportlegends.com

qr code for Shreveport Music Legends

     

Movie Film Set


There is a lot going on Texas Street. I was able to watch a movie scene being shot on McNeil Street for "Olympus Has Fallen" with Gerard Butler and Aaron Eckhart.  There were explosions, automatic rifles, police sirens, screaming people right in the middle of downtown, pretty fun.

"Olympus Has Fallen" movie scene being shot on McNeil Street