A brand new canvas

Transitions of any kind are never easy. Last year, after the passing of Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge President Derek Gordon, the board knew it had a big task ahead. At the time, I happened to serve on the search committee to find the next person who would lead the charge for the city’s arts organizations.

The committee conducted a statewide and nationwide search to find the right person for this next season in the evolution of the Arts Council. Gordon literally revived the Arts Council and brought energy, passion and an innovating spirit we had not seen before in this city. The committee, through the leadership of Ralph Stephens and chairwoman Cheri Ausberry, spent months sorting through resumes, conducting Skype interviews, and then narrowing the field to three finalists.

I volunteered to pick up one of the finalists at the airport. He was flying in from Australia to spend a few days to interview and familiarize himself with the Red Stick. His name was Eric Holowacz. From the moment I picked him up, it was evident he was very passionate about creativity and arts.

They say first impressions are key, and he certainly made an impression on me. The guy who was currently residing in Australia, originally from South Carolina, ended up being selected as the new president of the Arts Council.

Contributing editor Amy Alexander spent a lot of time speaking with Holowacz and others at the Arts Council about how he plans to evolve the creative culture of the city into the future. He is an ambitious and personable guy, and he’s already off to a great start. Meet Holowacz and read more about his plans for the arts in Baton Rouge, starting on page 51.

Seeing television crews and film stars around Baton Rouge is a more commonplace sight today, but 25 years ago, Hollywood was still a welcome stranger in Baton Rouge. That’s when Everybody’s All-American was shooting in the Capital City, and to celebrate the anniversary of the Dennis Quaid and Jessica Lange football drama, editor Jeff Roedel spoke with the film’s Oscar-winning director Taylor Hackford for an exclusive interview.

Hear from Hackford on the making of the film and working in Baton Rouge, starting on page 28. For more on Everybody’s All-American, including recollections from locals who participated in the film, turn to page 74 in this month’s Tiger Pride section.

If you have a favorite memory from the making of Everybody’s All-American in Baton Rouge, share it with us by emailing [email protected].

Much of what 225 covers on a daily basis online and monthly in our print edition focuses on the dynamic people and most exciting events, art, music and food this city of ours has to offer. But you don’t have to look too far outside the urban confines of Baton Rouge proper to find a “sportsman’s paradise”—gorgeous and rewarding spots for all manner of outdoor activities.

225 has spoken to a number of area outdoor experts and compiled their best insights, tips and information into our two-part outdoors guide. Read part one in this issue and check out part two in November. This month, starting on page 46, contributing writer Jonathan Olivier shares his valuable findings on the best hunting, fishing and kayaking in the Baton Rouge area.

The Louisiana Book Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary on Nov. 2, and along with dozens of authors, speakers and workshops at this always fun event on the State Capitol grounds, 225 team members will be on hand to meet our readers, answer your questions about our magazine and digital products and to hear your ideas for what you’d like to see featured in the pages of 225. So bring the whole family to the festival and stop by 225‘s tent to say “Hello.” For more information on the event, visit louisianabookfestival.org. Check out our preview of the festival.

The Louisiana Business Symposium will take place Wednesday, Oct. 16, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. If you are in business, you won’t want to miss this great event. The day kicks off with the Innovation & Technology Breakfast and keynote speaker Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, a site that receives more than 4 billion page views a month. Forbes magazine named Ohanian the “Mayor of the Internet.”

Later that day, we will host the annual Top 100 Luncheon, featuring Dr. Loren Scott and his economic forecast for Louisiana. Also, Louisiana Business Inc. is excited to be unveiling a fresh new look for 225‘s sister publication, Business Report, at the event.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 928-1700 or go to businessreport.com.