The Real-Life Experience

annual exhibition spotlights local high school students in east baton rouge

Every April, Baton Rouge Gallery opens its doors for its annual REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCE Juried High School Exhibition. The exhibition shines a light on over 70 works of original art produced by students from East Baton Rouge public and private high school students, giving you the chance to see tomorrow's local art leaders today!

The aim of the exhibition, made possible by the support of Cordell & Ava Haymon, is to share the talents of area students with our community while encouraging them to continue pursuing their artistic talents outside the classroom.

The exhibition also draws attention to the importance of arts education, celebrating both its positive effects on the youths of our community and the efforts of the educators that challenge their students on a daily basis.

The 2024 exhibition will be presented April 2 - 25 and, as with all exhibitions at BRG, it will be open to the public at no cost during regular gallery hours (Mon-Sun, 12 - 6 pm).

Join us for the exhibition’s First Wednesday Opening from 6 - 9 pm on April 3 with complimentary drinks, live music, and more!

This year’s exhibition will feature dozens of works, all selected through a blind jurying process intended to level the playing field for artists of all backgrounds.

2024 Real-Life Experience Winners

Best in Show: Always There by Lacie Sierra (Woodlawan High)

2nd Place: New Dawn by Isaac Hogan (Zachary High)

3rd Place: Flesh’ Fruit by Rocio Larenas Bustos (St. Joseph’s Academy)

the Paul A. Dufour & Julia Dufour Richardson Scholarship

In 2024, BRG is proud to renew its partnership with the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge in their offering the Paul A. Dufour & Julia Dufour Richardson Scholarship award in conjunction with The REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCE. The Scholarship continues Dufour’s legacy by providing assistance for exceptional underclass students to attend private classes with recognized professional artists in the Greater Baton Rouge area, either from BRG’s Artist Member roster or from the Arts Council’s Member Artists. Each year, semi-finalists are selected from the students featured in The REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCE with one student artist ultimately selected for the award.

Thanks to the ongoing support of the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge this year, once the artist mentor and student are matched, they will have the option to hold classes at the studio of the mentor artist or at the Cary Saurage Community Arts Center as determined by the two participants (mentor/mentee).

ARTISTS IN THE CLASSROOM

In 2015, BRG added something new to The REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCE by bringing accomplished professional artists into the classroom to directly interact with students and provide insight into what life is truly like for visual artists. Classroom visits, which are offered at no cost (to students, instructors or schools), are available any time during the school year and offer high school students the opportunity to hear directly from artists about what inspired them to pursue their path, how they achieved their goals and what challenges they might encounter. This invaluable opportunity is something rarely offered to high school students and provides real, practical information for our area's youth who are interested the arts beyond the classroom.

Since 2018, more than a dozen artists have visited classrooms throughout East Baton Rouge Parish, having discussions with students, answering questions, and even leading in-class workshops. This opportunity is once again open to all high schools in East Baton Rouge Parish in 2024.

Virtual Gallery

Special Thanks to Jay Schwarzhoff