Visitors gathered Saturday, Jan. 12, at the Chauvin Sculpture Garden and Nicholls Art Studio for a reception of work by Ernest Milsted on exhibit until Feb. 21. The Friends of the Sculpture Garden’s annual invitational is one of many ongoing art events supported by the Friends of the Sculpture Garden, who are volunteer board members.

Kenny Hill, a man considered a uniquely talented ‘outsider’ artist, created the sculptures at the garden before leaving the area in 1998.

With former Nicholls’ art department head Dennis Sipiorski’s help, the sculptures were rescued and Wisconsin-based Kohler Foundation purchased the site and donated it to Nicholls in 2002. Docents, Rocky McKeon, Derrick Lirette and Patti Stamper, provide tours on weekends, through a grant from Houma Regional Arts Council, which Nicholls Biology professor Gary Lafleur oversees.

Continuing the foundation’s legacy of generosity, Ruth DeYoung Kohler recently contributed funds through the Office of Institutional Advancement. The funds are intended to help maintain the art environment and develop educational programs at the Kenny Hill Sculpture Garden.

The Chauvin Sculpture Garden & Nicholls Art Studio is located at 5337 Bayouside Dr. in Chauvin. The Nicholls Art Studio is open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday or by appointment, and the Kenny Hill Sculpture Garden is open from dawn until dusk.

(Ashley Falterman)

(Danielle Stringer)