2013 Coffee and Conversation series begins this Wednesday

The 2013 Coffee and Conversation series (brought to you by the Tennessee Williams Literary Festival) begins this week at 7pm Wednesday, September 18th, at the Jefferson Parish Library. Michael Sartisky, director of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, will discuss A Unique Slant of Light: The Bicentennial History of Art in Louisiana. According to the book’s introduction, the LEH published the 450-page, limited edition hardcover tome in September of last year to “document, feature, and validate the broadest conceivable range of art and artists whose wore merited notice–both renowned and obscure–across the span of Louisiana history.”

In his write-up of the book’s release, however, Room 220 Editor Nathan C. Martin described his suspicion that the book hewed more towards a canonical (white) representation of its subject matter. Sartisky responded, offering his assurances that the volume “[does] in fact include numerous non-traditional and non-canonical artists.” These include luminaries Clementine Hunter and Enrique Alferez, not to mention full-color portraits of Mardi Gras Indian costumes and whole chapters dedicated to indigenous basketry, folk craft and folk art. And for those firmly entrenched in establishment appreciation, the book’s lush plates also pay homage to the likes of E.J. Bellocq, Edgar Degas and John James Audubon.

Coffee and Conversation 2013 is free of charge and open to the public. Coffee will be provided.