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Honored Guests, Speakers and Entertainers of the Blue Easel Club
Auseklis Ozols, Founder of the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts and currently with his daughter, Artist Saskia Ozols, have founded and direct ozolscollection.org, and practicepreservation.org. He was a Guest of Honor and speaker at our "Golden Section" workshop! He is also Carol Peebles' mentor.
Ballerina Destiny Ariel Billot was born in Ekaterinburg, Russia and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana where she began dancing at the age of 3. Her love for classical ballet began when she trained at Myra Mier’s School of Classical Ballet, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, and New Orleans Ballet Association where she performed with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, and the Martha Graham Dance company. Billot has also studied at the Gelsey Kirkland Academy and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet.
New Orleans Icon, Chef, Author, Entrepreneur , Civil Rights Activist and Patron of the Arts, Mrs. Leah Chase
Michael J. Deas works primarily in oils and graphite and created the Columbia pictures logo and several US stamps. He is an American realist painter and illustrator whose work is known for both its technical skill and is cited in Roger and Walt Reed's definitive history of illustration, The Illustrator in America.
Tom Fitzpatrick, voted New Orleans Best Saxophone Jazz Musician by Gambit
Director of the Saint Augustine Marching Band
The Director of St. Augustine High School's Marching 100 receiving the "Johnny Donnels Memorial Award" for inspiring others with his commitment to his art and life
Singer, teacher and entertainer Anais St. John performed for several of our parties. Amazing tour de force, diva, and great friend of the Club.
Conductor of the New Orleans Opera, Robert Lyall models as a Guest of Honor
Band Leader Javier Gutierrez of "Vivaz" performed for the Club
Pastel Master, Artist Sandra Burshell, discusses her process as a guest speaker.
Guest of Honor Bongo Najja Foluke discussed his book and experiences being a Rasta in Jamaica. He now lives in New Orleans.
Artist and Author Bill Creevy and Barbara A Genco
Jazz Historian and host of "Jazz New Orleans" Mr. Fred Kaston modeled for our "Musicians in Motion" Workshop
Internationally renowned Clarinetist Evan Christopher both performed for our Club at several parties and modeled for our portrait class.
Artist and author Jean Cassels who has illustrated over 60 books, and Professor Dr. Craig Hood of Loyola University who gave a lecture on the "Golden Section" in Nature and Science.
Triathelete, fitness competitor and trainor, Ivan Blazquez modeled for our Muscle Study Workshop.
NY Times Best Selling Author of Mystery & Fiction Nevada Barr modeled as Guest of Honor
Ben Schenck, Musician and leader of the Panorama Jazz Band of New Orleans, both performed for several workshops and modeled for our portrait class.
Musician and Painter Tony Green whose music is featured on many Blue Easel Club videos.
Tony Green discusses the club members' sketches on his break from performing at our "Musicians in Motion" workshop in City Park Botanical Gardens.
Sculptor, Professor Kinzey Branham, Head of Sculpture at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, and later sculpture and drawing instructor at University of Georgia, a great friend to the Blue Easel Club!
Professor Kinzey Branham, brilliant sculptor and dear friend to the Club, discussed his process in making sculpture.
Pastor Ray Cannata of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, Rolling Elvi, and subject of the movie, "The Man Who Ate New Orleans" modeled for our portrait class and hosted our 4th Blue Easel Club art exhibition for "Art For Art's Sake" on Magazine Street.
Sculptor Thomas Bruno received the "Johnny Donnels Memorial Award" for his commitment to the Arts, and he was a guest of honor at a luncheon.
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