The Art Guild of Louisiana (AGL) is a member driven organization – meaning we are an all-volunteer organization – and rely on member volunteers for the continuing operation of the Guild. So please be sure to check out the Volunteer Opportunities. We strive to provide services that are of value to our member artists and our community.
The Art Guild of Louisiana offers its members a number of benefits supporting their development as an artist:
Discounted Fees for Workshops
Throughout the year AGL provides opportunities for artistic development by sponsoring a variety of workshops ranging from beginner to advanced level. Our instructors range from local to national and international award-winning artists. We endeavor to provide something for a variety of mediums. Partial payments are not accepted, full registration must be paid to guarantee your seat in the class. Please note, the driving force that makes a workshop “happen” is early enrollment. AGL members enjoy a discounted workshop fee. The Guild also offers an early bird rate to encourage early enrollment. Artists traveling from out of state need several weeks of notice of adequate enrollment. All upcoming contracted workshops can be viewed on the Workshops page.Open Studio Sessions
Members have access to a spacious, well-lighted and well-equipped open studio space: Studio in the Park, 2940 Silverest Ave in Baton Rouge (BREC Cedarcrest Park). The studio has nine 8 foot worktables along with items/lights to set up still life; microwave/refrigerator for food storage or prep if you want to work all day, along with other amenities. View details about the Studio in the Park space. Open studio sessions are on Tuesday and Wednesday from 11:00am – 4:00pm and on Sunday from 1:00pm – 4:00pm. These sessions are primarily maintained/operated by artists who use the studio. Occasionally open studio schedules are changed due to a conflict (workshops, exhibits, reception). Scheduling changes are posted on the Calendar page. You should check the Calendar page to confirm the studio is open prior to making a trip there.Exhibit Opportunities
AGL offers exhibit opportunities for artists of all skill levels. We host six regularly scheduled exhibits a year; three judged exhibits open to the public with awards totaling $400 and three member only exhibits that award a People Choice Ribbon. Exhibits are held at the Independence Park Theater Gallery, 7800 Independence Park Boulevard, Baton Rouge. All exhibits are non-juried, (all artwork submitted will be exhibited); but all entries must meet the AGL Exhibit Requirements. Exhibit and originality requirements are available on the Exhibits page. Exhibit dates for the year are posted at the beginning of each year on the Exhibits page and announced individually via member emails. We sometimes have exhibits in other locations such as restaurants, libraries, & medical facilities depending on space and volunteer availability. We invite members to contribute ideas and lead additional exhibits.Discounted art supplies at select art shops
Mo’s Art Supply located at 4573 Bennington Ave. (just off College Drive, after the Post Office, on the left) in Baton Rouge offers AGL members 10% discount on most purchases. You must ask for the discount at the time of check out.Art Reference Library
The Studio in the Park houses a large library of art reference and instruction books covering a wide variety of mediums, techniques, and authors. The books are available to be checked out by AGL members in good standing so they can be enjoyed leisurely in the comfort of your own home.Photographs of member artwork (Picture Day)
AGL offers free photography services of member’s artwork. On the third Sunday of each month from 1:00 pm – 3:45 pm, members may bring up to three pieces of artwork to be photographed in a professional style photography setting. You may wait for your work to be photographed or you may leave the artwork and pick it up on the next open studio date, usually the following Tuesday. The artwork is photographed on a “first come, first served” basis. NOTE: Occasionally Picture Day will be changed to a different Sunday due to a conflict. Picture Day days are usually scheduled a year in advance and are posted on the Calendar page in addition to reminders via member emails. Click here to view the Picture Day requirements.Individual member online artist gallery
AGL maintains individual artist’s galleries on the AGL website for members in good standing. When an artist has had at least five pieces of art photographed at the Studio in the Park, a gallery of your work will be created in your name on the guild website, giving you a place to refer family and friends to view your artwork or other artists at their convenience.Member Emails
Approximately 30 days after joining, you should begin receiving official AGL emails announcing upcoming AGL exhibits/events and reminders approximately once a week. We pride ourselves in not bombarding your email box with a continuous stream of emails. If you do not begin receiving emails by the time your name is added to the Members list on the website, please let us know via the Contact form. Make sure that Art Guild of Louisiana is in your contact list so that your member emails are not sent to your “Junk Mail” box; that has been a common issue.Networking with other artists
There are several avenues for members to network with other artists: participating in open studio, taking advantage of the art reference library during open studio hours, and talking to artists and taking part in member meetings (usually two per year). Volunteering to coordinate workshops or participate in hanging an exhibit are also great ways to support the Guild and network with other artists.Volunteer Opportunities
Multiple studies have documented the physical and emotional benefits derived from volunteering. AGL provides excellent (and flexible) volunteer opportunities. Volunteering for AGL is volunteering for more than just “us”, it is being actively involved in supporting artists in our community on a grassroots level. Volunteering on one of the AGL committees or activities is an easy and gratifying way to “give back” to our/your community. The AGL has been an integral part of the grassroots art community in Baton Rouge since 1953 thanks to the members who have volunteered over the years. Your volunteer hours are important to the ongoing operations of our history-laden organization. Most of our Volunteer Opportunities take only a few hours every couple of months.
NOTE: The scope, schedules, and process related to the above activities/benefits may change with or without notice. We try our best to keep members advised of changes.