Shared from the 2/2/2017 American Press eEdition

IN BLACK HERITAGE GALLERY

Tezeno exhibit opens Friday

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“For my Mother,” by Alana Young Tezeno.

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Alana Young Tezeno

“For Living,” a new exhibit featuring the work of local artist Alana Young Tezeno, will open Friday and run through March 24 at the Black Heritage Gallery in the Central School Arts and Humanities Center.

Tezeno is the first local artist to be featured during the gallery’s Black History Month show since it began about 10 years ago, curator Stella Miller said.

Miller said she met Tezeno last year at an art show, saw her work and invited her to be featured this year. She said she hopes Tezeno’s success encourages other local artists to find ways to showcase their work.

“I hope it inspires people to see that you can be from Lake Charles and stay here and good things can happen,” Miller said.

Tezeno graduated from McNeese’s art program in 2014 and teaches visual arts at Washington-Marion Magnet High School. She said her personal focus is on figure drawing using charcoal.

Tezeno said she was surprised to hear that she was chosen for the show and that her chance encounter with Miller led to this opportunity.

The show is a tribute to the trials that all people face, Tezeno said, despite their background. She said that, more than anything, she hopes people feel hope after viewing her work.

“At times people can separate themselves from each other or pretend that they’ve never been there, but I feel like we all go through the same universal struggles,” Tezeno said. “That’s what (the show) was really about.”

Tezeno said she doesn’t feel living in Lake Charles has limited her artistic career but, rather, given her a source of unique inspiration.

“I love my community, and I’m very grateful to live here,” Tezeno said. She said she has been heavily impacted by the work of local artists Eddie Mormon and Candice Alexander and is grateful for their influence.

The museum is opened from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily at 809 Kirby St. An open reception will be held Friday, Feb. 3, from 6-8 p.m.

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