Art Melt heats up

As the biggest juried art show in Baton Rouge, Art Melt—now in its eighth year—considers any medium artists throw their way, be it paint, photography, or digital creations. The festival-like art show July 16 is free and features musical acts, dancers and cuisine in the sprawling setting of the Louisiana State Museum.

Just about the only thing organizers aren’t willing to bend is the show’s sense of place. Art Melt is for Louisiana artists only.

“The goal of this event is to profile and push Louisiana artists, and that’s not going to change,” says first-time event chair Scott Higgins.

That doesn’t mean there’s a shortage of diversity. Last year’s event garnered submissions of every kind and theme from 35 of the 64 parishes. Art Melt founder John Jackson says only about 70 works were selected in 2010 and that selectiveness will continue this year.

“The caliber of art-work is wonderful,” Jackson says. “The diversity of artwork is out there. So there’s something for everyone.”

The art remains on display for about a month after the Saturday, July 16, opening that will stretch throughout the downtown museum. Scheduled live music acts will start at 6 p.m. to accompany the art-browsing experience. A pre-kickoff art show will allow visitors to shop for art outside the museum starting at 5 p.m.

Those interested can snag an early peek of the artwork with music and food by local chefs at the pre-party Thursday, July 14.

“Our objective has always been to allow artists a platform to showcase their work, and introduce art enthusiasts to good art work,” Jackson says. “It will always be free. We want it to be accessible to the general public.”

The stakes are higher for this show than most other multimedia art competitions in Baton Rouge, too. The overall winner takes home $2,000. artmelt.org