Art Under the Oak: Holiday Edition returns to ICM

Published 1:00 pm Thursday, December 7, 2023

The Imperial Calcasieu Museum will host the third annual Art Under the Oak: Holiday Edition this weekend from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 10.

The family-friendly community event will feature multiple holiday-themed activities and a slate of 18 local artists and artisans.

One local artist participating in Art Under the Oak: Holiday Edition is Page Gardner. She is a predominantly abstract artist who paints, illustrates and works with mixed media collage, in addition to creating pieces featuring flora, fauna and figures.

Email newsletter signup

For artists like Gardner, Art Under the Oak is a special way to connect with the community.

“Events like Art Under the Oak give local artists and makers the power of open conversation with our community. There’s an art option for every budget at Art Under the Oak markets, which gives everyone access to affordable art options when they shop with us.”

Some of the other participating vendors include Tammy’s Wreath Co., Paint and Fire, Scatteringstars83, K. Soileau Designs, Tea at Walden, Alyssa Cramer Illustration, All Put Together, Manipura Artisanal Soap, Swaco Socks, Wild Phlox Pottery, Willy Goose Gardens, Lolli and Pop’s Craft Shop, Gallery by the Lake, Creative Roots, Laser It Studios and Carolyn’s Creations and Avonlea Creative.

A variety of food and dessert vendors – such as Dough on Da Geaux, Hi-Licious Street Kitchen, Diana’s Cakes, Sweet Citrus Lemonade – will also be at Art Under the Oak.

Art Under the Oak is family-friendly and will have a range of activities for everyone, including face painting and the Cats of Chase petting booth. For visitors who want to get artistic, there will be craft tables with snowmen, snowman heads and star ornaments.

Two special guests will make an appearance: Princess Belle and Santa. At 1 p.m., Belle will be reading to children donned in her special Christmas Gown.

Ashley Royer, creative coordinator, ICM, said that Santa looked forward to coming back to Lake Charles all year.

“Santa Claus had a jolly time last year visiting the Museum and he wrote back saying he couldn’t wait to visit all the good boys and girls again this year! He said Lake Charles has some of his favorite food and all his favorite people!”

At 2:30 p.m., the Barbe Rock Band Choir will perform.

Art Under the Oak: Holiday Edition will take place “rain or shine” she said. In the case of inclement weather, the event will be converted into an indoor hybrid layout.

ICM will offer free admission to the Museum during Art Under the Oak. The current exhibits at ICM are “Lyd Walls,” a collection of pieces by abstract artist Lyd Walls, and “But Not Forgotten,” a historical exhibition that follows narratives of cemeteries in  Southern Louisiana.

To kick-off the weekend at ICM, December Yoga Under the Oak will be hosted from 9 to 10 a.m on Saturday, December 9. Maegan Gonzales hosts the free session and is suitable for all levels.