The Gallery by the Lake is opening the colorful and emotionally explorative exhibition “Pieces of You I Stole for my Soul” on Friday, March 1.

The exhibit features work by Gallery member Kat Bertrand. The Gallery has made a habit of highlighting new Gallery members by giving them a chance to “showcase an important body of work.” Bertrand joined the Gallery in April 2022 and it was her turn for the spotlight, Plummer said

Bertrand graduated from McNeese State University in December with a concentration in design and graphic design. Her work has a focus on portraiture and the human form, and she creates with “the intention to process emotions, situations and document her appreciation for the little things in life.”

In her artist statement, she said the confusion of the early 20s and the solace found in the influence of loved ones inspired the body of work.

“There’s a constant flux depending on where you are and who you’re around. I’ve noticed, though, that I have a favorite version of myself, influenced by characteristics of people I tend to surround myself with the most. I’ve watched them navigate the world in a way I really admire, in a way that was once foreign to me.”

The exhibition will feature five portraits by Bertrand. The portraits were made with 22 inch-by-30 inch heavyweight paper. Her primary media is vibrant, colorful India inks and charcoal. Each work also has “small photographic elements that are carefully lifted from Polaroid pictures” and placed on the paper.

Plummer said this feature helps viewers connect to the pieces.

“These help bring the viewer closer to each piece, literally and figuratively, and give some clues about personalities and relationships.”

The portraits explore themes centered around youth and the experience of coming of age, and emphasize “virtuous personality traits and love for those who are closest to us.” Each piece is titled after raw human traits: “Vulnerability,” “Authenticity,” “Introspection,” “Resilience,” “Childlike Wonder.”

The exhibition will have a total of 40 works, featuring the works of another dozen Gallery members. The featured works are expansive and include a variety of mediums like photography, printmaking, pen and ink, watercolor, oil, acrylic and mixed media — wire sculpture, wood, paper, Mardi Gras beads.

Plummer said some of the pieces align with the “Pieces of You I Stole for my Soul” theme, while others exhibit other themes personal to each individual artist.

The Gallery by the Lake is located on the second floor of Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center, 1001 Ryan St. Admission to the gallery is free. Historic City Hall is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.