Gallery by the Lake presents the fourth annual “Hit Me with your Best Shot” bird photography exhibition and member exhibit, “Tools of the Trade” reception Friday, Sept. 29, 5:30 p.m.  at the Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center, 1001 Ryan Street. The reception includes the “Best Shot” award ceremony.

The bird photography exhibition competition and show were initiated by Gallery by the Lake with support of the Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA and the Lake Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau to celebrate the joys and benefits of birdwatching and showcase the work of wildlife photographers from across the US.

This year’s call for entries received over 220 images from 42 entrants in 11 states, including entries from a number of local nature photographers.  The top 50 images were judged and selected by the editorial staff of BWD Magazine, a popular publication for birdwatchers.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the Best in Show and top three images in each of two categories. In addition to the physical exhibition, an online version can be viewed at the Gallery by the Lake website, www.gallerybythelake.org, once the exhibition opens on Sept. 29.

“We are especially excited about this year’s show, and especially its opening, which will coincide with the Gallery Promenade sponsored by the Arts Council of Southwest Louisiana,” said Gallery by the Lake Vice President Pat Craft.  ”And happening at the same time on the Historic City Hall second floor will be the opening of a fresh group exhibition by Gallery by the Lake artists, featuring artist and retired teacher, Debbie Lavergne, under the theme, ‘Tools of the Trade.”

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‘Tools of the Trade’ featuring artist Debbie Lavergne

Debbie Lavergne, originally from Ponca City, Oklahoma, moved to Lake Charles after getting her first degree in the arts. She was painting, drawing and making ceramic artwork long before joining Gallery by the Lake in 2010. Her Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Education degrees are from McNeese State University, and she has been honored as 2004 Middle School Educator by the Louisiana State Senate and Louisiana Art Education Association.

“The exhibit features watercolor, oil and ceramic pieces that I have made over the years in my roles as artist, teacher and student,” Lavergne said. “Depicted are objects whose forms and functions were attractive in ‘real life’ and still life, objects familiar to us in our work as in everyday life; others not so much.”

Other Gallery members will contribute to the exhibition with their own interpretations of the theme.

These openings coincide with the Fall Gallery Promenade organized by the Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA, a great evening for art downtown, according to Gallery by the Lake’s Dan Plummer.

Shows will run through Nov. 25. Admission is free. Hours are Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. -6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. -2 p.m.