Art Show & SALE: The Chris Broussard Collection

Come see and have the opportunity to purchase the many wonderful works of art by Chris Broussard. Join us Friday, December 4th at 5:30pm at Easley Fine Art & Photography on Main St. Works featured will be art from the past and works that have been more recently produced.

100% of the proceeds will go to the arts to directly benefit our children and our community through the efforts of Cultural Crossroads. Support Your Future!

Drinks and fine food will be featured. So come and know that your purchases will come back to you seven-fold through the hard work of Cultural Crossroads.

Chris Broussard is a co-founder of Cultural Crossroads and founder of Webster Parish's first after school enrichment center. She taught children's art for more than 22 years and is currently the art enrichment teacher for Glenbrook School. Chris received the Governor's Award for "Promotion of the Arts in Louisiana" for 2006 and received the "Blue Cross Blue Shield Angel Award" for Louisiana in 2008.

Thornton Sisters Receive Handmade Quilts

During the celebration on Sunday, November 8th, the Thornton Sisters were given handmade quilts by the Quilting Queens (http://artsinminden.com/quiltqueens.html). The quilts were made by Rita Gray, Virginia Watson, and Levada Mitchell.

Thornton Sisters Celebration

Over 400 family members, friends, neighbors, dignitaries and elected officials gathered Sunday afternoon to celebrate the lives of three
incredible women, The Thornton Sisters. Their combined 324 years of history have earned them the distinction of being the oldest African American siblings in the nation and Maggie Thornton Renfro is the oldest African American in the nation. Guiness World Book authorities were present to congratulate the sisters on their historic accomplishment.

Cultural Crossroads coordinated the historic event that was marked by a community photograph of everyone present. The historic photograph will be presented to the Dorcheat Museum in Minden.

Pictured here are the three Thornton sisters, their daughters and close family friends.
Rosie Thornton, age 104; Carrie Thornton, age 107 and Maggie Thornton. age 114.
Maggie Thornton Renfro will be 115 on Saturday, November 14, 2009.

Secretary of State Jay Dardenne has proclaimed Saturday, November 14th, 2009
Maggie Thornton Renfro Day in Louisiana.

Moon Over Minden Pictures Are Here!

Click on over to the Cultural Crossroads site to the Photo Gallery and enjoy the pictures from last weekend. Go to http://artsinminden.com/gallery/index.php?album=moon-over-minden-2009

Moon Over Minden: SATURDAY ONLY

We regret to have to cancel Moon Over Minden festivities for FRIDAY NIGHT ONLY! We will open the gates at 8pm Saturday night for the Haunted Garden & Haunted House Tour. Admission $8 per person.

Unfortunately the Haunted Hayride feature had to be cancelled altogether. The grounds are simply too wet. Parking available at Save Alot for Saturday night.

We send our best to those families that are having to deal with flooding issues and clean up after the tornadic conditions we've been experiencing.

For more info, call Chris Broussard at 393-5991.

SO COME ON OUT AND HAVE A VERY ENJOYABLE NIGHT AT THE FARM AND SUPPORT THE ARTS!!

Arts In Education Residency

Beginning September 14, students will begin reading abridged versions of The Grapes of Wrath and working on lessons that bring the book to life through imaginary "Letters From Home" about the people who were put to work through the WPA, the CCC, and other New Deal initiatives in North Louisiana.

Hear from some teachers already engaged in the program:
Webster Jr. High-Malinda Beardon:
"Today we listened to the interview with the three Thornton sisters (ranging in age from 105 to 115 and interviewed over the summer by Chris Broussard) from Webster parish. The Thornton sisters held their attention. My kids were disappointed when the bell rang for lunch! They loved it!"

Glenbrook School-Lyn Stubbs:
"Tomorow we will begin reviewing the Great Depression with our 8th graders. Another teacher (Leigh Ann Pruitt) found great Jeopardy games on Power Point, which they'll play after I review the Great Depression with them. Tuesday we'll talk about the Hobo symbols and have the students pick out their favorite one and write why they chose it. Thursday and Friday we'll probably watch the American Girl movie, which takes place during the Great Depression."

Social Innovators Institute

Seen above is a picture of Cultural Crossroads of Minden, Inc. (members from Left: Charles Odom-Webster Parish Police Juror; Jean Doerge-State Representative, District 10; Jennifer Reynolds-Webster Parish Sheriff's Department; Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu; Chris Broussard-Cultural Crossroads Chairman of the Board; Benjamin Martin-Pastor, St. Rest Baptist Church of Minden, Inc.) in attendance at the first Social Innovators Institute as one of the top finalists in a grant competition of the Louisiana Office of Social Entrepreneurship, a division of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.