An exhibit featuring the work of the late Ann O'Brien, jewelry artist from Abita Springs, is currently being held at the Abita Springs Hotel. The exhibit opened with an inaugural event Sunday, March 17, and features Ann's design drawings for dozens of pieces of jewelry, actual pieces of her jewelry, and a number of figure sketches and paintings.
The exhibit will be open for viewing again on Sunday, March 24 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and then again on March 30 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Abita Springs Hotel has named its art gallery after Ann O'Brien (1951-2006). "Known primarily as a jewelry artist," the exhibit flyer states, "O'Brien was also a prolific painter, particularly during her years as an art student at LSU in the early 1970's. This exhibition brings together for the first time O'Brien's early watercolor paintings and her Art Nouveau-style silver jewelry."
The exhibit also showcases press releases, design notebooks, and art showings that she participated in over the years. Her work desk, complete with the tools she used to create her jewelry, is also on display.
O'Brien's designs are still being used to create jewelry today by her former collaborators Nancy Ashworth and Marianne Perez.
See also:
Ann O'Brien, Jewelry Artist
Abita Springs Hotel