​Three artists featured in exhibit
    Works by Union Parish artists Bob Ward, Barbara Sisk and Nicole Ramsey were on display in the "Art in the Time of Coronavirus" exhibit that ran January 19 through February 27 in Discovery Place-Union Museum of History and Art in Farmerville.  During the confining days of the Coronavirus pandemic, these three were busy in their art studios.  Their resulting works were exhibited for visitors to behold.
     Ward is retired professor of art at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, where he also was director of the Bry Art Gallery.  In his long career, he earned numerous accolades for his art, and continues his work, primarily acrylic on canvas.  Sisk learned her artistic skills from her grandmother, and works in a variety of media including oil, china painting, quilting, and crochet.  Her oil painting of three grandchildren won Best of Show in the Union Arts Council competition in 2017.  Ramsey is new to art, but already has earned several prizes for her paintings, including People’s Choice and first place in the Union Arts Council competition of 2019.

 "Truly enlightening!" ""Wonderful trip through time."  "Fascinating snapshot of the true women's rights leaders."  These are just a few of the comments written by visitors to the woman's suffrage exhibit recently hosted by the Union Museum of History and Art. Sarah Terry wrote, "It was awesome to be able to show my two girls what it took for them to have the rights they do today.  Well done!"
​     The traveling exhibit from Southeastern Louisiana University celebrated the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granting women the right to vote.  "Determined to Rise:  The Woman's Suffrage Movement in Louisiana" ran from August 3 to 14 and featured colorful banners describing the events leading up to the passage of the voting rights amendment and subsequent women's issues, a video about woman's suffrage including African-American women, and a suffragist costume.  Additional 1920s-era costumes were loaned by the South Arkansas Arts Center in El Dorado.
   The exhibit was developed with grant support from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH) Rebirth grant program. ​

     Twenty-six youngsters ages 3 to 17 turned out fabulous creations for the recent “Wowie Art” show and competition in the Discovery Place –Union Museum of History and Art in Farmerville.  The display of 37 truly oh-wow artworks was on display for five days.
     Thanks to all the kids who participated, the parents and grandparents who mentored them, and to our sponsor, Partyville of Farmerville!!   
     Judging the entries was Downsville artist David Taylor, who says he was truly impressed with the quality and variety of artworks, which used "found" items rather than traditional paper or canvas.  
     Award ribbons were presented on July 16 to youth in four age divisions.  Award categories were the "Fabuloso Award" for creative use of materials, "Colormania Award" for most colorful, and "Artsy Award" for artistic quality.  The "Wowie Award" was for best overall artwork of the show.  
     Winners were

Wowie award:  Kailey Jones, Bernice

Peepers (ages up to 6)
Fabuloso award: Junie Holloway, Downsville
Colormania award: Henley Rhodes, Farmerville
Artsy award: (co-winners) Jayde and Caden Holloway, Farmerville

Littles (ages 7-9)
Fabuloso award:  Kaylen Brown, Farmerville
Colormania award: Henslee Albritton, Marion
Artsy award: Lena Booth, Farmerville

Pre-Teens (ages 10-12)
Fabuloso award:  Aubrey Powell, Farmerville
Colormania award: Karma Davis, Bernice
Artsy award: Evie Caraway, Spearsville

Teens (ages 13-18)
Fabuloso award: Hailey Mann, West Monroe
Colormania award: Alivia Jacques, Marion

       Union Museum of History and Art in Farmerville hosted a very special exhibit,  “Honoring Those Who Serve and Protect: Union Parish First Responders, ” from October 1 to November 14. The exhibit featured photos, equipment, badges, awards, uniforms, news articles, tools, "jaws of life," etc. from current and past firefighters, lawmen, and other emergency responders.  A special feature was the memorial tower honoring first responders who died in the line of duty.
      A total of 323 visits were logged in!  Everyone who viewed this fascinating exhibit came away with a greater appreciation of the hard work and sacrifices of our law officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel.  We are so grateful for their efforts to make Union Parish a safe place to live and work. 
      We send special thanks to these individuals and organizations that sponsored the First Responder exhibit:  Keith Blackmon, The Dean of Flowers, Lance Futch, Sheriff Dusty Gates, Dottie Ames McConkey, Pafford Emergency Services, Union Parish Crime Stoppers, and Union Reserve Deputies Association.

 It was an afternoon of remembrance, gratitude, and praise as 19 local World War II veterans were honored for their service with a special ceremony that also officially opened the "Pelican State Goes to War" exhibit in the Union Museum.  Stars of the occasion on June 17 were military veterans Russell Adams, Norwood Albritton, Willis Andrews, C.C. Bayles, Jr., John Grady Culpepper, James Hubert Franklin, Richard Jones, L.B. Knighton, L.J. Laster, Harry Maroney, James M. Newsom, Billy Ross O'Bannon, Raymond Odom, Jim Pardue, Jack Edsel Peppers, M.O. Porter, Jack Taylor, James Wilbur Upshaw; and munitions factory veteran Dorothy Golden Smith.  Each honoree received a Defender of Freedom medal and certificate of appreciation. The setting for the ceremony was the lobby of Origin Bank, which was filled with some 100 family, friends and community leaders eager to honor the veterans who gave so much for their country during the perilous times of World War II. 
     Speaking about each honoree's service were Jerry W. Taylor, Union Parish Police Jury president; M. Stein Baughman, Jr., Town of Farmerville mayor; Jay Snell, Marion State Bank; and Tim Tettleton, Origin Bank.  Emcee was Brittany Unkel, Union Museum of History and Art board chair.
    A vast array of beautifully presented refreshments was ably provided by Women for Veterans, auxiliary of the local VFW post.  ​

​ The “Ag-mazing Union Parish!” exhibit in the Union Museum of History and Art ended Wednesday, May 8.  The display of photos, artifacts, art, and even a life-size model Jersey cow was available to tell the public about the vast influence of agriculture on our parish.  
     This one-of-a-kind exhibit was curated by Van Bennett and Brittany Bennett Canterberry, who gathered items from dozens of other farming families and organizations in the region.  The exhibit was in memory of Velvet Bennett Roberts who envisioned and proposed this project in 2018.
    Thanks to these generous sponsors of "Ag-mazing Union Parish!":
     Ag Trader USA
     Brittany's Originals
     Denton Farms
     Farm Bureau
     First National Bank
     Jason Holmes
     Marion State Bank
     Origin Bank
     Read Lumber & Supply
     Southern Ag Credit
     T & C Rentals
     Thomas Nursery & Feed