Art engages the brain. Studies have shown that not only creating it makes a person feel better but also seeing it. “Ephemeral Dreams and Opulent Melodies” promises an experience that eclipses most art exhibits.     

This captivating interdisciplinary collaboration between visual artist Ashley Gates and McNeeste State University Music Professor Jeremi Edwards is at the Imperial Calcasieu Museum, 204 Sallier St.

“ ‘Ephemeral Dreams and Opulent Melodies’ reimagines the delicate details and vivid ornamentation of historical art and music through a modern lens,” Edwards said.

Gates is multi-talented, proficient in graphic design, web design, fine arts, illustration, costuming, story boarding, prop design and make up.

When the museum accepted applications for artists in residence, she was turned down but her work caught the attention of curators and she was asked to base a show around her entry piece in the coming year.

She also received a proposal from Edwards to write music to go with the show. She had seen him at work before. He wrote one-minute compositions on cards that could be mixed and matched in groups of three to produce different pieces.

“Jeremi’s thesis involved the use of paintings to inspire musical composition,” Gates said. “I will be excited for others to hear what he thinks my art sounds like.”

In Gates’ hands, Fragonard’s “Lady on a Swing” comes to life in the form of a harpsichord. Caravaggio’s “Narcissus” stares into the face of a timpani drum.

Details such as the size and shape of Marie Antoinette’s wigs and King Louis XIV clothing were carefully researched before work began.

Imperial Calcasieu Museum Creative Director Ashley Royer describes some of the pieces as “puns on the masters.”

Pieces are multi-media and include gold leaf india ink, pencil, watercolor and metals. Some include pages from the actual composition and recognizable music sheets. Frames fit the time period.

“She thrifted the frames over the past two years,” Royer said.

Gates will be at the opening to explain the relationship of the art to the Rococo and Baroque periods, its roots in French history and help guests recollect forgotten details of Roman and Greek mythology.

But wait, that’s not all planned for an opening that will engage the brain more significantly than the average art exhibit and make the body feel better.

Edwards has crafted a 12-movement tone poem inspired by Gates’ romantic, gilded Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo pieces creating a dynamic soundscape where Baroque polyphony, Rococo elegance and avant-garde experimentation blend into a lush auditory experience.

“Each movement, marked by tempos like Moderato, Andante and Siciliano mirrors the gradual progression and ornamentation of the paintings,” he said. “The music evolves with each performance-creating a ‘living art’ experience that celebrates both freedom and structure.”

The performing ensemble is Edwards on flute, Noah Ferrell on clarinet, Dallas Rose Lauderdale on bassoon, Ted Romero on guitar, Trevor Moosa on trombone and Kaimen Swanton on tuba.