Tammany Family

Friday, October 24, 2025

President's Arts Awards Announced

The 2025 President's Art Awards recipients have been announced. Here's the press release: Parish President Mike Cooper has announced the honorees for the 19th Annual President's Arts Awards, presented annually by the St. Tammany Commission on Cultural Affairs.

The Performing Artist of the Year is Jonathan Sturcken; the Visual Artist of the Year is Bernard Mattox; the Literary Artist of the Year is Maurice LeGardeur; the Musical Artist of the Year is John Autin and the Culinary Artist of the Year is Patton’s Fine Food and Catering.

Maurice LeGardeur

The Patron of the Arts recognition goes to Saladino Gallery; the Outstanding Service Award goes to the St. Tammany Parish Fair Board of Volunteers; the President’s Award goes to Manuel & Patterson, the Native Son Award goes to Theo Von, and the Slidell Art League will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.

A special program will be held Thursday, November 20, to present the awards. Entertainment for the event will feature the talents of the Mandeville High School Jazz Band.

"For nearly two decades, the President's Arts Awards has honored the talented artists and patrons who brighten our communities with artistic, musical and performative works," said President Cooper. "I congratulate the tremendous work of these honorees who have made a lasting contribution to the fabric of St. Tammany Parish. I thank the St. Tammany Commission on Cultural Affairs for their continued support in fostering and promoting arts programs throughout our parish."

“St. Tammany Parish is home to so many remarkable artists, and the President’s Arts Awards gives us the opportunity to celebrate their work and service to our community,” said Commission of Cultural Affairs Chair, Laura Prisco. “St. Tammany Parish is a community proud to support, recognize and celebrate our talented artists and we look forward to celebrating their achievements at this year’s ceremony.”

The St. Tammany President’s Arts Awards is held annually to recognize outstanding artists in St. Tammany Parish. The recipients are selected by the Parish President and the Commission on Cultural Affairs. It is supported in part by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Press release by Michael Vinsanau

Annual Arts Awards Recipients Named for 2023

2019-2020 Parish President's Arts Awards

Arts Awards for 2021

2019-2020 Parish President's Arts Awards

President's Arts Awards for 2017-2018

Thursday, October 23, 2025

Ribbon Cut On New Trace Segment

The ribbon was cut Thursday afternoon on the newly paved and landscaped section of Tammany Trace between the Covington Trailhead and the Justice Center parking area. Mayor Mark Johnson cut the ribbon while Parish President Mike Cooper looked on.

Click on the images to make them larger.

The ceremony took place on Lockwood Street, between the train depot and diCristina's Restaurant. A Thursday night concert followed immediately.

The group "second lined" up to the Trailhead, bringing its own marching brass band, the Brasshearts.

Click on Play Triangle to view video.

The dignitaries posed for a group picture.

The band played a varied selection of New Orleans jazz favorites.

Local residents are already using the new section for casual afternoon strolls.

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Pumpkin Patches Plentiful

It's one week to Halloween and if you haven't gotten your pumpkin yet, it's time to pick out and purchase the perfect pumpkin at your local pumpkin patch purveyor. They're everywhere...

Friday, October 17, 2025

Mandeville Pictorial Map of 1986

Here's the cartoon bird's eye view map of Mandeville I drew some 40 years ago back in 1986.

Click on the above image to make it larger.

To see a close up version, click on the link below and when map appears click on the magnifying glass cursor symbol.

Close Up View

Monday, October 13, 2025

Art In The Park 1989

Here are some scenes from the Art in the Park festivities in Covington's Bogue Falaya Park back some 36 years ago in 1989.

Click on the images to make them larger.

Sunday, October 12, 2025

Norman Criner, Etchings Artist, Widely-Praised

One of the most renowned etchings artists in the St. Tammany area was Norman Criner, who was nationally-recognized for his talent. As a member of the Art Association he taught classes, gave talks, and took part in a number of exhibits in the early 1970's.

Criner was a native of Houston, TX, worked in New York for several years and then became a resident of Madisonville for several years. He received his formal training at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts and also studied with Frank Reilly of the Art Students League.

While best known for his etchings, he also worked in oils and mosaics. Among his many accomplishments was serving as art editor for a New York publisher, in addition to free lance work for Collier's, Red Book, and various advertising agencies.

His work was showcased in the Grand Central Galleries, Museum of Modern Art and other galleries in Manhattan, and he did some mural work for a number of architectural commissions and a Florida banking chain.

His etchings of local St. Tammany scenes were a favorite, and Criner taught a class in etching at the art association. He was described in local news items as "a prominent New Orleans graphic artist." He died on October 20, 1971, at the VA Hospital in New Orleans after a short illness. He was 53 years old.

The Art Association honored him with a Memorial Exhibit "Retrospective," saying that through his art work and his teaching of classes, he had a great influence on artists in the area.