Art For All

In recent years, there’s been a lot of discussion in the art world about accessibility. Not physical accessibility — though smaller or historic facilities often fall short on ADA compliance – but cultural accessibility, creating welcoming spaces for everyone in a community.

Both of my Out to Lunch guests have spent much of their careers ensuring that art in Baton Rouge is free, inclusive, and vibrant.

Jason Andreasen is the President and CEO of the Baton Rouge Gallery.

Jason Andreasen, President and CEO of the Baton Rouge Gallery, says the gallery’s classification as an artist’s cooperative “is a fancy way to say the artists run the show”

Jason didn’t grow up immersed in the art world. His family didn’t frequent galleries, and his interest in contemporary art developed largely through his now-wife, local painter Lily Betancourt.

In 2007, Jason started at the Baton Rouge Gallery as a part-time employee and moved into his leadership role a year later.

Now in its 60th year, the Baton Rouge Gallery is the nation’s longest-standing artist cooperative, and prioritizes accessibility by making most events free and open to the public.

Jason is no stranger to Out to Lunch. You can check out his earlier appearances and compare how things have changed in Baton Rouge.

Nathan Logsdon loves metal. He builds fences, pieces of sculpture, and though you may not know his name you probably know his public art pieces at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center or Beauvoir Park in Mid-City

If you have ever been a guest at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center or heard a musical performance at Beauvoir Park in Mid-City, then you have probably noticed Nathan Logsdon’s work.

A native of Illinois, Nathan Logsdon landed in Baton Rouge in 1999, finding work with a local ironworker specializing in traditional hand-forged pieces. In 2002, Nathan went into business for himself building gates, railings and other architectural pieces.

Two decades later, Nathan’s work spans practical welding, architectural metalwork, original artwork and commissioned pieces that depend as much on his particular artistic and technical skills than straightforward cutting and welding.