(Baton Rouge) –The LSU School of Art’s Alfred C. Glassell Jr. Exhibition Gallery is proud to present an innovative exhibition inspired by the writings of critically acclaimed author Ernest Gaines, best known for his novels Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman and A Lesson Before Dying.

The Sky Is Gray: Visual Works Inspired by the Writings of Ernest Gaines features original artworks in diverse media by artists from throughout the U.S. and Europe. The artists created new works that were inspired by their personal reading of Gaines’ fiction, which has been nominated for Pulitzer and Nobel prizes.

The exhibition, which was curated by Leslie Charleville, will be installed in the Alfred C. Glassell Jr. Exhibition Gallery in the Shaw Center for the Arts from November 11- December 10. Participating artists include: Leslie Charleville, Michael Crespo, Addie Dawson-Euba, Demond, Malaika Favorite, Jacques P. Gasquet, Melody Guichet, June Gumbel, Robert Hausey, Randell Henry, Patricia Hough, Christopher Johns, Libby Johnson, Charlotte Ka, Kelli Scott Kelley, Salonga Lee, Marcus McAllister, AJ Meek, Darlene Moore, Thomas Neff, Joseph Pearson, Morris Taft Thomas, and Lewis Watts.

A reading of excerpts from Gaines’ works by students from Teach for America will be followed by an artist’s reception on Sunday, November 16th. The reading will begin at 4 PM and the reception will follow.

A symposium on Race and Society is scheduled for Sunday, November 23 from 2-4 PM. Panelists will include Gaines’ scholars Reggie Young and Marcia Gaudet, as well as community activist Maxine Crump and documentary filmmaker Ruth Laney. WAFBTV anchor Donna Britt will moderate the event, which is free and open to the public.

This exhibition – the first of its kind in the Baton Rouge area — is made possible through the generous support of New Jersey philanthropist and attorney Robert Galantucci, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation (BRAF) and Teach for America.

For more information, contact Malia Krolak at the Glassell Exhibition Gallery in the Shaw Center for the Arts at 225-389-7180.