Roots & Reach Initiative Introduces a Louisiana-Based Internship with Marlene Yu Museum

We are thrilled to introduce Roots & Reach, a visionary initiative by the Marlene Yu Museum that bridges our deep roots in Shreveport, Louisiana, with our expanding presence in New York City. As part of this initiative, we are offering an exciting internship opportunity for college-age students to gain hands-on experience in nonprofit management, marketing, event organization, and museum operations. This internship allows students to contribute meaningfully to museum projects that honor Shreveport’s vibrant cultural heritage while supporting both local and international arts initiatives, all while preserving and sharing the artistic legacy of Marlene Yu.

Internship Highlights:

✅ Mentorship from experienced museum professionals

✅ Networking opportunities with leaders in the arts and nonprofit sectors

✅ Access to exclusive events and exhibitions

✅ Opportunities to demonstrate work through the Museum’s platforms

This program is an excellent opportunity to develop practical skills that can be applied to future careers in the arts, nonprofit organizations, and other creative industries. We are happy to partner with institutions for course credit or service hours, offer invaluable resume-building as well as the above incentives, and we are actively seeking sponsors to support this program. We are particularly looking for passionate and dedicated students from North Louisiana who are eager to gain professional experience while making a lasting impact.

Internship Details:

🕒 Time Commitment: 5 to 15 hours per week (flexible scheduling)

📅 Available Time Slots: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, between 9 AM – 2 PM (based on school schedule)

📌 Duration: Internship duration will be determined, based on weekly time commitment and Museum needs.

💡 Responsibilities: Assist with exhibitions, museum operations, social media, event coordination, and more!

📝 Deadline: Rolling admissions — apply anytime, and applications will be reviewed as positions become available.

To partner, sponsor, or apply for an internship, please email inquiries and resumés to: contact@marleneyumuseum.org

Fire Spinner to Perform with Fire Staff and Free Raffle Deadline Extended

Marcos Rangel spins fire poi.

Marcos Rangel spins fire poi.

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana – Fire poi spinner Marcos Rangel with Spinner Entertainment will also perform fire staff at Marlene Yu's 80th Birthday Gala. The deadline to receive two free raffle tickets with early RSVP has been extended to Friday, September 22, 2017. The event will be on Saturday, September 30, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to benefit the Marlene Yu Museum at 710 Travis Street, Shreveport, Louisiana 71101.

According to TheMaori.com, fire poi spinning involves spinning a tethered, weighted wick in various geometric patterns. It is a variation on traditional poi performance which originated with the Maori people of New Zealand. It was used as a means of improving flexibility and balance for battle as well as in dances and storytelling. Fire staff performances use a staff made of wood or metal that has Kevlar wicks attached to one or both ends.

Gala tickets are available at http://www.marleneyumuseum.org/gala/ and (318) 717-9111, and include full open bar, 6-course dinner, and entertainment. Proceeds benefit the Marlene Yu Museum.

About Marcos Rangel:

Marcos Rangel has been performing flow arts for about six years. He started out with parkour and free running and expanded slowly into circus arts. Rangel started spinning poi in his back yard practicing with socks and glow sticks in 2009, then he learned fire poi as a freshmen in highschool a year later. He honed his art watching video tutorials, and when he wasn't in his back yard practicing, he was traveling across the U.S. and learning at festivals, workshops, and private lessons. During his travels, he met with flow and circus artists at fire festivals, International Juggling association, and small parties with some of the most skilled glowstringers. Rangel expanded into the fire aspect of the arts to create a more entertaining and thrilling show for his viewers and himself. His favorite part of performing is the audience's reaction to the show.

About Spinner Entertainment:

Spinner Entertainment, LLC is the newest talent agency in the Shreveport-Bossier City community. It connects clients with a wide variety of local, regional, and national entertainers and variety performers. The talented performers affiliated with Spinner Entertainment include: jugglers, stilt walkers, fire spinners, dancers, circus performers, magicians, costumed characters, and more.

As an insured limited liability company, Spinner Entertainment, LLC has booked entertainers for many festivals and events in the Ark-La-Tex including Mudbug Madness, Red River Revel, Townsquare Media events, SRAC, SPAR, and various other corporate style events.

About Marlene Yu:

Marlene Tseng Yu is a world-renowned abstract expressionist of nature in large-scale paintings and a pioneer in the environmental green movement in art. As of April 2016, she has had 80 solo exhibitions in the United States, Europe, and the Far East, and her art has been reviewed in 9 languages in more than 200 publications, by numerous art magazines, newspapers, TV, and radio shows, such as ARTFORUM, Art in America, Art News, World Journal, and Barbara Walters’ Today Show. To find other artists who share their love of nature through art, she founded the Rainforest Art Foundation, which is headquartered in Shreveport, and has branches in New York City, Zurich, and soon Frankfurt. While Marlene’s paintings are included in over 1000 public and private collections, the recent establishment of her own museum in Shreveport, Louisiana, the Marlene Yu Museum, showcases the historical relevance of her life's work and over 4000 paintings across 35-plus series. She is able to do commission work according to requirements of architectural projects as large as 54 feet.

Parkour Jumper to Show Off Martial Arts and Chef Felan Reveals one of Six Courses

Joel Matlock trains often to keep himself in top form.

Joel Matlock trains often to keep himself in top form.

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana – Local parkour jumper Joel Matlock is to debut his martial arts style All Angles Martial Arts and Chef Anthony Felan reveals one of his six courses for his themed, plated dinner at Marlene Yu's 80th Birthday Gala. The event will be on Saturday, September 30, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to benefit the Marlene Yu Museum at 710 Travis Street, Shreveport, Louisiana 71101.

According to dictonary.com, “parkour is the activity or sport of moving rapidly through an area, typically in an urban environment, negotiating obstacles by running, jumping, and climbing.” It requires an immense amount of strength and adaptability.

Joel Matlock stretches in his backyard after training.

Joel Matlock stretches in his backyard after training.

Chef Anthony Felan's oyster dish presented on marble and pink stones inspired by Marlene Yu's Pink Marble paintings.

Chef Anthony Felan's oyster dish presented on marble and pink stones inspired by Marlene Yu's Pink Marble paintings.

Succulent, raw oysters will be bedded under a blanket of seaweed and bathed in colorful wasabi tobiko. The dish is to be served with sour yuzu mignonette sauce, atop pink and marbleized rocks inspired by Yu's art.

Gala tickets are available at http://www.marleneyumuseum.org/gala/ and (318) 717-9111, and include full open bar, 6-course dinner, and entertainment. Proceeds benefit the Marlene Yu Museum. RSVP by September 16 for two free raffle tickets.

About Joel Matlock:

Joel Matlock began martial arts training at approximately five years old, beginning with karate. He was introduced to taekwondo and kung fu in his teenage years. Matlock's love of parkour developed at the age of 10 when he watched the World Parkour Championship for the first time. The next day he started his long journey into the world of parkour. His ambition with All Angles Martial Arts is to create a style that is diverse and perpetually changing, drawing from parkour's adaptive and reactive nature and combining it with his martial arts foundation. Matlock's goal is to one day make a living from his talents and be like Bruce Lee.

About Anthony Felan:

Chef Anthony Felan is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in San Francisco, and returned with his wife and son to their Northwest Louisianan roots for family and in 2010 as Sous Chef at Wine Country Bistro, where he quickly moved up to Executive Chef. He recently made a long-time dream a reality by creating the underground 2nd Act Supper Club as his side project. Members commit to dinner without knowing the location or menu beforehand, encouraging them to try new foods and be in the company of new people who share their passion for creative food in historically significant buildings.

About Marlene Yu:

Marlene Tseng Yu is a world-renowned abstract expressionist of nature in large-scale paintings and a pioneer in the environmental green movement in art. As of April 2016, she has had 80 solo exhibitions in the United States, Europe, and the Far East, and her art has been reviewed in 9 languages in more than 200 publications, by numerous art magazines, newspapers, TV, and radio shows, such as ARTFORUM, Art in America, Art News, World Journal, and Barbara Walters’ Today Show. To find other artists who share their love of nature through art, she founded the Rainforest Art Foundation, which is headquartered in Shreveport, and has branches in New York City, Zurich, and soon Frankfurt. While Marlene’s paintings are included in over 1000 public and private collections, the recent establishment of her own museum in Shreveport, Louisiana, the Marlene Yu Museum, showcases the historical relevance of her life's work and over 4000 paintings across 35-plus series. She is able to do commission work according to requirements of architectural projects as large as 54 feet.

Cyr wheel acrobat Frank Chapman to perform at Marlene Yu's 80th Birthday Gala

Click for a video of Chapman's Cyr wheel skills!

Click for a video of Chapman's Cyr wheel skills!

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana – Cyr wheel acrobat Frank Chapman with Spinner Entertainment is preparing a special choreography for Marlene Yu's 80th Birthday Gala at Marlene Yu Museum on Saturday, September 30, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to benefit the Marlene Yu Museum at 710 Travis Street, Shreveport, Louisiana 71101. Chapman's strength and confidence in the air have earned him the nickname “Spider-Man” among other acrobatic enthusiasts. With a background in the Marines and training alongside the best of Cirque du Soleil in Los Angeles, Chapman gives an illusion of weightlessness that reflects his aerial talents.

Ticket info can be found at http://www.marleneyumuseum.org/gala/.

About Frank Chapman:

Frank Chapman is a Texas transplant, Marine circa 2008, and visual and performing artist who has spent years training with the best of Cirque du Soleil in Los Angeles, California. After moving to Texas, Frank began to train in other aerial arts, including but not limited to Cyr wheel acrobatics, hand balancing, aerial hoop, and traveling gymnastics rings. In 2017, Chapman competed in the San Antonio City Qualifiers of the obstacle course competition series American Ninja Warrior.

About Spinner Entertainment:

Spinner Entertainment, LLC is the newest talent agency in the Shreveport-Bossier City community. It connects clients with a wide variety of local, regional, and national entertainers and variety performers. The talented performers affiliated with Spinner Entertainment include: jugglers, stilt walkers, fire spinners, dancers, circus performers, magicians, costumed characters, and more.
As an insured limited liability company, Spinner Entertainment, LLC has booked entertainers for many festivals and events in the Ark-La-Tex including Mudbug Madness, Red River Revel, Townsquare Media events, SRAC, SPAR, and various other corporate style events.

Port Belly Project to perform at Marlene Yu's 80th Birthday Gala at Marlene Yu Museum

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana – Port Belly Project will do a veil dance for unveiling of Marlene Yu's Pink Marble Paintings as well as sword-balancing at Marlene Yu's 80th Birthday Gala at Marlene Yu Museum on Saturday, September 30, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to benefit the Marlene Yu Museum at 710 Travis Street, Shreveport, Louisiana 71101. Port Belly Project draws from dance forms that are tribal in nature and from different regions of the world. These forms are fused with modern dance traditions to create a dance form that honors both the old and the new. Port Belly Project's improvisational dance style creates a truly unique dance as each member of the troupe takes a turn as a leader of the group, giving cues to the other dancers who follow suit. Once the music stops, the audience has witnessed a completely one-of-a-kind dance, never to be repeated.

Ticket info can be found at http://www.marleneyumuseum.org/gala/.

About Port Belly Project:

Port Belly Project was founded in Shreveport in 2005 and remains the original tribal fusion, improvisational style, Bhangra and Bollywood dance troupe in Northwest Louisiana. Port Belly Project was formed to provide dance instruction and performance opportunities as well as to educate the public about these beautiful and traditional dance forms.

 

Chef Anthony Felan prepares for Marlene Yu's 80th Birthday Gala

2ndActAnthonyFelan-31.jpg

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana – Chef Anthony Felan of Wine Country Bistro and 2nd Act Supper Club is preparing dinner for Marlene Yu's 80th Birthday Gala on Saturday, September 30, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The event benefits the Marlene Yu Museum at 710 Travis Street, Shreveport, Louisiana 71101. Sponsorship and tickets will be available on August 1, 2017.

Felan's passion for farm-to-table and from-scratch cooking is evident in his close work with several local farms, including Mahaffey Farms, Smith Family Farms, Shady Grove Ranch, Doodley Dee’s Farm, Flowing Hills Creamery, and Haute Goat Creamery. His cuisine for the milestone dinner will channel this passion and draw inspiration from Marlene Yu's work.

Being featured as the culinary artist for Marlene Yu's 80th Birthday Gala marks the most recent in an upward trajectory of Felan's successes. In 2015, he was nominated for the “Best Chefs of Louisiana” by the American Culinary Federation New Orleans, and was voted by Shreveport as “Best Chef of NWLA” in 2016. In June 2017, he was first runner up in the statewide “Louisiana Seafood Cookoff” in Lafayette. Felan has also been involved in Slow Food Louisiana's urban youth gardens and special dinners celebrating regional heirloom and historically relevant foods.

About Anthony Felan:

Chef Anthony Felan is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in San Francisco, and returned with his wife and son to their Northwest Louisianan roots for family and in 2010 as Sous Chef at Wine Country Bistro, where he quickly moved up to Executive Chef. He recently made a long-time dream a reality by creating the underground 2nd Act Supper Club as his side project. Members commit to dinner without knowing the location or menu beforehand, encouraging them to try new foods and be in the company of new people who share their passion for creative food in historically significant buildings.

 

Individual Tickets now available, Menu Theme and Entertainment announced for Marlene Yu's 80th Birthday Gala

Tickets are now available at $125 for Marlene Yu's 80th Birthday Gala on Saturday, September 30, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sales will benefit the Marlene Yu Museum at 710 Travis Street, Shreveport, Louisiana 71101. Individuals planning on attending should RSVP to (318) 717-9111 or www.MarleneYuMuseum.org by September 27. Those who RSVP by September 16 will receive 2 free raffle tickets.

The evening gala features a themed dinner by Chef Anthony Felan, cyr wheel acrobatics and fire poi spinning by Spinner Entertainment, sword-balancing tribal bellydancers of Port Belly Project, the debut of a local parkour jumper from All Angles Martial Arts, full open bar, raffle and door prizes.

Director Stephanie Lusk says, “Experience the culinary artistry of Chef Anthony Felan’s multi-course feast for the eyes and palate with Marlene Yu’s new 20-by-40-foot masterpiece and large works.”

Chef Anthony Felan adds, "To celebrate Marlene Yu, we will merge Southern food with Taiwanese food, highlight all of her exhibits from Forces of Nature to Elements of Life, step outside of our regular restaurant settings, and bring it all to life on a plate to showcase the art, the food, and the whole background of Marlene Yu for one night: her 80th birthday."

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Marlene Yu's 80th Birthday Gala and Pink Marble Unveiling at Marlene Yu Museum

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana – Marlene Yu's 80th Birthday Gala will be on Saturday, September 30, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to benefit the Marlene Yu Museum at 710 Travis Street, Shreveport, Louisiana 71101. Food and entertainment will be provided. Sponsorship and tickets will be available on August 1, 2017.

Marlene Yu with “Pink Marble in Hot Spring I, II, III, IV” 2016, Canyon and Red Rock Series, acrylic on canvas, quadriptych 20 x 40 feet, 610 x 1220 cm.

Marlene Yu with “Pink Marble in Hot Spring I, II, III, IV” 2016, Canyon and Red Rock Series, acrylic on canvas, quadriptych 20 x 40 feet, 610 x 1220 cm.

About Marlene Yu Museum:

Marlene Yu Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit with the mission to preserve, present, document, and interpret the life and art works of Marlene Tseng Yu. For more information, visit www.MarleneYuMuseum.org.

Art of sustainable urban agriculture at Marlene Yu Museum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

SHREVEPORT, La., August 3, 2016 – The Marlene Yu Museum’s Three Sisters Sustainable Urban Farm Discovery Program, directed by Rebekah White, provides a tangible experience for 2nd grade students from Forest Hill Elementary to learn fundamentals of creating and sustaining our food supply in a harmonious way with nature this fall at the Museum. 

“As a parent and educator, I really like the fact that our kids can come to the Museum and be able to express their love of nature and science through art,” said Cheri Knoebel of Forest Hill Elementary School. 

This project is supported by a grant from The United Way of Northwest Louisiana Grant Fund of The Community Foundation.  This project is also supported by a grant from the International Paper Foundation. 

About the Marlene Yu Museum:

The Marlene Yu Museum is a 501c3 non profit with the mission to preserve, present, document, and interpret the life and art works of Marlene Tseng Yu. The Museum is located at 710 Travis Street, Shreveport, LA 71101. For more information, please visit www.marleneyumuseum.org or call (318) 717-9111.

Contact:

Stephanie Lusk, Director

Marlene Yu Museum

(318) 717-9111

marleneyumuseum@gmail.com

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Free lunch and free admission to the public on Give for Good day in downtown Shreveport at local Museum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SHREVEPORT, La., April 27, 2016 – The Marlene Yu Museum is offering a free lunch to the public as a part of Give for Good 2016. The event will be on May 3, 2016 from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm at 710 Travis Street, Shreveport, LA 71101. Door prizes will be given out each half hour and donation stations will be available throughout the event. Featured food includes New Zealand mussels, cocktail shrimp, purple rice with edamame, pork dumplings, Chinese sausage, curry chicken, and veggies.

All proceeds raised during the Give for Good event will benefit the Museum’s 1UP Fundraiser taking place through the end of May. Funds raised through 1UP will go towards the renovation of the stairs and second floor of the Museum where more of Yu’s work will be permanently displayed, as well as make the Museum more accessible on local, regional, and international levels.

Give for Good is a 24-hour online giving challenge led by The Community Foundation of North Louisiana to raise unrestricted dollars for the nonprofits in our community. It is a day of giving to celebrate the nonprofits in the community and a chance to raise thousands of dollars to make the community even better.

About the Marlene Yu Museum:

The Marlene Yu Museum is a 501c3 non profit with the mission to preserve, present, document, and interpret the life and art works of Marlene Tseng Yu. “Water – Element of Life” is currently showing in the Museum. The Museum is located at 710 Travis Street, Shreveport, LA 71101. For more information and hours please visit www.marleneyumuseum.org or call (318) 717-9111. 

Contact:

Iris MacLean

Public Relations Manager

Marlene Yu Museum

(318) 840-5213

irisrainforestart@gmail.com

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MYfashion by Marlene Yu - A new fashion line available at the Museum


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Marlene Yu Fashion debuts at Shreveport Museum

SHREVEPORT, La., December 15, 2015 – The Marlene Yu Museum will present the Marlene Yu Fashion line featuring selected Marlene Tseng Yu paintings at their Thursday, January 21, 2016, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Preview Gala to celebrate the Museum’s one-year anniversary alongside the "Water - Element of Life" exhibit. The line will include dresses, scarves, neckties, and bow ties with various nature themes. Depending on availability, customers may place their orders in advance to receive them in time to wear to the Preview Gala.  Early bird tickets are $125 ($150 at the door).  

A first look of part of the fashion line will be presented at the “Cosmic Cowgirls” Fashion Show to be held at the Museum on December 18, 2015 at 5:00 p.m., with 5:30 p.m. show time and reception to follow. The show features cosmic inspired designs from By Ann Collections. The event is free with suggested $10 donation to the Museum.

Introductory prices for the designs are as follows:
Martini Dress (XS, S, M, L, XL) $149.95
Flare Dress (XS, S, M, L, XL) $99.95
Necktie $49.95 (Set of 3 for $134.95)
Scarf $49.95
Bow Tie $59.95

For more information about the Marlene Yu fashion line or to place an order please call (318) 717-9111 or email MarleneYuMuseum@gmail.com.

The Marlene Yu Museum is a 501(c)3 non profit organization with the mission to preserve, present, document, and interpret the life and works of Marlene Tseng Yu. For more information visit www.MarleneYuMuseum.org.  

Contact:
Iris MacLean
Public Relations Manager
Marlene Yu Museum
(318) 840-5213
irisrainforestart@gmail.com

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Fashion show to feature locally designed pieces at downtown museum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fashion show to feature locally designed pieces at downtown museum

The Marlene Yu Museum will serve as the runway for a cosmic themed fundraiser

SHREVEPORT, La., October 19, 2015—Fashion show titled “Cosmic Cowgirls” will take the runway at the Marlene Yu Museum Friday, December 18, 2015 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. The Museum is located at 710 Travis Street, Shreveport, LA 71101. Tickets are $10 and available for purchase before the event or at the door. The featured pieces are designs from “by Ann Collections” designed by Ann Chandler. Pieces inspired by Marlene Yu paintings will also show.

Seating will begin at 5:00 pm with the show starting promptly at 5:30 pm. Refreshments will be available for purchase before the show and during intermission. Admission tickets for 12 years old and over are available at www.MarleneYuMuseum.org and (318) 717- 9111. Tickets are also available in person at Ciao Bella through December 14.

About by Ann Collections:

“by Ann collections” are designed for shows. Designer Ann Chandler states, “My ‘Time Traveling Tribe’ moves through space and history to experience different cultures and traditions. They acclimate to their new environment, bringing back home a new approach to fashion. Enjoy the ride!”

About the Marlene Yu Museum:

The Marlene Yu Museum is a 501(c)3 non profit with the mission to preserve, present, document, and interpret the life and works of Marlene Tseng Yu. For more information please call (318) 717-9111 or visit www.marleneyumuseum.org.

Contact:
Iris MacLean
Public Relations
Marlene Yu Museum
(318) 840-5213 irisrainforestart@gmail.com ###

Coral reef inspired paintings by Marlene Tseng Yu to show in Bossier as the last exhibition in the Lucky Sevens exhibition series

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The celebrated New York artist presented six series prior in the hometown of her brand new museum, the Marlene Yu Museum, to show her art in the South for the first time

BOSSIER CITY, La., June 11, 2015—Marlene Tseng Yu presents Crystal Reef Series as the final exhibition of the Lucky Sevens at Bossier Arts Council from June 11 through July 31, 2015. There will be a reception at the Bossier Arts Council Saturday, June 13, 2015, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

The Lucky Sevens is seven different shows at seven local venues in honor of Yu’s 77th year. The prior six shows were at Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, Robinson Film Center, Artspace, Meadows Museum of Art at Centenary College, Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center, and Marlene Yu Museum.

New York art critic, Donald Kuspit, Ph.D., wrote about the Crystal Reef Series in his essay, “Marlene Yu: Cosmic Inscape”.  Kuspit states, “The fractal process of chaos that informs nature becomes self-evident.  One element explodes into another, the entire process studied, with relentless curiosity, in picture after picture, the whole series forming a kind of scientific record of an experiment with raw natural matter as well as a seismographic tracing of a profound emotional experience.”

The Marlene Yu Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit with a mission to preserve, present, document, and interpret the life and art works of Marlene Tseng Yu. For more information visit www.MarleneYuMuseum.org. The Rainforest Art Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit with a mission to increase appreciation of nature through art. For more information visit www.RainforestArtFoundation.org.

The Bossier Arts Council is dedicated to promoting, supporting, and providing cultural events and programming in order to enhance the quality of life and to develop a cultural identity for Bossier Parish. BAC is located at 630 Barksdale Blvd, Bossier City, LA and is open Tuesday-Friday 11 am-5 pm with free admission.

Contact:

Iris MacLean

Public Relations

Rainforest Art Foundation and Marlene Yu Museum

(318) 840-5213

irisrainforestart@gmail.com


Environmental Arts Pioneer Marlene Tseng Yu Unveils Melting Glacier Inspired Series At Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center

Special public programming will be provided as well in honor of National Environmental Education Week and Earth Day.

SHREVEPORT, La., March 17, 2015 – The sixth exhibition of Marlene Tseng Yu’s Lucky Sevens opened March 17 at Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center in Shreveport. Melting Glacier Series will show through April 26, accompanied by several educational and thematic programs in honor of National Environmental Education Week on April 25 and 26 at Sci-Port, and an Earth Day celebration on April 22 at nearby Rainforest Art Foundation.

The Lucky Sevens is a series of seven different exhibitions at seven local venues in honor of Yu’s 77th year.  Yu, a native of Taiwan and participant in the New York City art scene for much of her life, founded the Rainforest Art Foundation to raise environmental awareness through art.  She is now honored by the Marlene Yu Museum in downtown Shreveport, one of the few museums in the nation dedicated to preserving and presenting the work of a single artist.

Yu states, “[Glacial melting] is my favorite subject. Without my realizing it, the series reflects what has become one of the most important issues today, as human lifestyles and habits increase global warming and cause glaciers to melt rapidly. I hope through my art to convey the urgent message—Earth is in danger, please let us protect it together.” Yu began the Melting Glacier Series in 1965 and continued through 2008.

The first five exhibitions in the Lucky Sevens took place at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, Robinson Film Center, Artspace, Meadows Museum of Art, and the Marlene Yu Museum. The Dream Series currently at the Meadows Museum shows through May 3, and Forces of Nature currently at the Marlene Yu Museum shows through May 31.

Art critic Robert Morgan, Ph.D., said of the series, “…a resilient flow of energy that is boundless and yet miraculously controlled… like good theater where the presence of the director remains unknown…”

During its time at Sci-Port, Lucky Sevens will be celebrated with special public programming provided at the Shreveport science museum, along with related items available in the Discoveries Unlimited Gift Shop. Programs will feature arctic mammal ecology (Blubber Mitts), the science of glaciers (Glacier Gloop), and the importance of keeping pollution out of our watersheds (What’s My Watershed?).

Sci-Port Programs and Education Grants Manager Dr. Heather Kleiner says of the partnership, “Sci-Port always tries to provide our visitors with a comprehensive learning experience. We’re excited to be able to match Marlene Yu’s Lucky Sevens art exhibit with hands-on programming and also the showings of the IMAX® movies To the Arctic and Journey to the South Pacific.”

The Earth Day celebration at RAF will take place April 22 from 4:30-7:30 pm with free admission with suggested $10 donation. At 5:30 pm, Bayou to Bay will give a presentation. Live music by Twang Darkly, and complimentary refreshments as well as food for purchase will be available by culinary artists such as Simply Cotton Candy.

Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center is a 92,000 square-foot science and entertainment center featuring 290 hands-on exhibits, 70 interactive programs and demonstrations, a Space Center and Space Dome Planetarium, IMAX Dome Theatre, gift shop and café. Bayou to Bay (B2B) is a program of Sci-Port with a mission to improve the health of children and waterways through education, action, and play.

The Marlene Yu Museum is a 501c3 non-profit with a mission to preserve, exhibit, document, and interpret the life and works of Marlene Tseng Yu. For more information visit www.MarleneYuMuseum.org. The Rainforest Art Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit with a mission to increase appreciation of nature through art. For more information visit www.RainforestArtFoundation.org.

 Contacts:

 Claire Floyd

Community Engagement Manager

Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center

(318) 424-8678

cfloyd@sciport.org

Iris MacLean

Public Relations

Rainforest Art Foundation and Marlene Yu Museum

(318) 840-5213

irisrainforestart@gmail.com

Announcement of two exciting opportunities to raise funds for the Marlene Yu Museum and Rainforest Art Foundation

SHREVEPORT, La., March 3, 2015 – The Marlene Yu Museum has received a Matching Grant Challenge from an anonymous donor of up to $25,000. All donations now until March 20 will be leveraged by a 100% dollar for dollar match and go directly towards much needed bricks and mortar construction building expenses at the Museum. Additionally, the Rainforest Art Foundation will work with Pandabit to do the Panda Challenge immediately following the end of the Matching Grant Challenge to honor Earth Day on April 22 with the promotion of recycling electronics.

RAF was selected to be a part of the BETA testing for the Panda Challenge as one of only a few other organizations and causes participating. The participation represents a meaningful partnership for RAF and Pandabit because of shared environmental concerns. The Panda Challenge is the newest evolution of crowdfunding, following the success of sites such as Kickstarter, GoFundMe, and IndieGoGo.

The Panda Challenge is a new fundraising website that allows organizations and causes to promote donations of cell phones, iPods, and tablets to raise money. Organizations and causes can challenge their followers via social media posts that include a link to their custom Panda Challenge page. Once they arrive to the Panda Challenge page the user will find their device and request a free shipping kit. Pandabit will then send out a shipping kit with a prepaid return package at no cost to the donor, making it easier than ever to make environmentally friendly decisions.

To donate to the Marlene Yu Museum Matching Grant Challenge by March 20, please visit www.MarleneYuMuseum.org, mail a check payable to Marlene Yu Museum to 710 Travis St., Shreveport, LA 71101 with ‘match’ as the memo, or call (318) 717-9111. On March 21, visit www.RainforestArtFoundation.org and like the Foundation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rainforestartfoundation to learn more about and donate to the Rainforest Art Foundation Panda Challenge before Earth Day, April 22.

The Marlene Yu Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the mission to preserve, present, document, and interpret the life and art works of Marlene Tseng Yu.  The Rainforest Art Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the mission to increase appreciation of nature through art.

Both MYM and RAF will also be participating in The Community Foundation of North Louisiana’s Give for Good 2015 on May 5.  It is one day of online giving for community members to support local organizations.  For more information visit www.giveforgoodnla.com.

Contact:

Iris MacLean

Public Relations

Rainforest Art Foundation and Marlene Yu Museum

irisrainforestart@gmail.com

(318) 840-5213

Marlene Yu’s “Dream Series” exhibition at the Meadows Museum February 21-May 2, 2015; artist speaks on February 28

Marlene Tseng Yu Self Portrait in front of "Winner Takes All"

Marlene Tseng Yu Self Portrait in front of "Winner Takes All"

SHREVEPORT, La., February 4, 2015— The Rainforest Art Foundation partners with the Meadows Museum of Art at Centenary College in exhibiting Marlene Tseng Yu’s The Dream Series from February 21 through May 2, 2015.  The public is invited to a free opening reception for the artist on Saturday, February 28 from 5-7 pm.  Marlene Yu will speak about her artwork at 5:30 pm.

The Dream Series by Yu is the fifth exhibition of the “Lucky Sevens” series, namely seven different exhibitions at seven local venues in honor of Yu’s 77th year.  Yu, a native of Taiwan and participant in the New York City art scene for much of her life, founded the Rainforest Art Foundation to raise environmental awareness through art.  She is now honored by the Marlene Yu Museum in downtown Shreveport, one of the few museums in the nation dedicated to preserving and curating the work of a single artist.

Marlene Yu states, “The techniques may vary greatly from painting to painting, as to embody the scope of my expression.  The reference to nature is the focus of all my paintings.”  Many of her paintings, including those already exhibited throughout Shreveport, depict colorful abstractions based on natural forms.

The Dream Series, created in the 1980s, is unusual in Yu’s large body of work, however.  It is more representational than abstract, with a focus on nature and human relationships.  In the Meadows’ exhibition, the female body is surrounded by animals that symbolize the male aspect, creating a dreamlike meditation on love.

Art critic, editor, and poet Cynthia Nadelman commented on The Dream Series: “Marlene Tseng Yu’s dreams seem suspended in a watery medium…. And indeed they are.  Limpid and floating as this world of hers may seem, though, it is rendered in clear crystalline strokes before her water-based media – watercolor and water-thinned acrylic on large sheets of saturated paper – have a chance to dry.  Rather than coaxing and worrying paint, the artist uses the time she has to illustrate visions from her mind’s eye.  Occasionally, she accentuates the images with pencil or ink.”

About the Rainforest Art Foundation

The Rainforest Art Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit with the mission to increase appreciation of nature through art.  For information, contact: Iris MacLean, Public Relations at the Rainforest Art Foundation and Marlene Yu Museum, 318-840-5213, or irisrainforestart@gmail.com.  For additional events, see www.marleneyumuseum.org and www.rainforestartfoundation.org.

About the Meadows Museum of Art

The Meadows Museum of Art is located on the campus of Centenary College of Louisiana at 2911 Centenary Boulevard in Shreveport, LA. The Museum is free and open to the public Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 am-6 pm and Saturdays from 12-4 pm. For more information or to schedule fieldtrips, call the Museum at 318-869-5040 or visit www.centenary.edu/meadows.

"Reaching for Sleeping Beauty", 1984, Acrylic on paper, Dream Series

"Reaching for Sleeping Beauty", 1984, Acrylic on paper, Dream Series

New York Artist Marlene Tseng Yu Presents her “Fire: Element of Life” Exhibition with Works Depicting Fiery Phenomena

This exhibition is the third show of 7 from her exhibition series entitled "Lucky 7s" which celebrates her 77th birthday and debut to Louisiana.

“Fire: Element of Life” 2004, Acrylic on canvas, Molten Lava Series, 8’x32’

SHREVEPORT, La., Nov. 10, 2014 – Artspace Shreveport will display lava and fire inspired paintings from the Molten Lava, Space and Universe, and Forest Fire series by artist, Marlene Tseng Yu, in the “Fire: Element of Life” exhibition beginning Friday, Nov. 14 through Jan. 17, 2015. The paintings from these series to be displayed draw from the high temperature phenomena found at the core of the earth, on earth’s surface, and out in the universe.

The exhibition will be located on the ground floor in the mainspace of Artspace, located at 710 Texas Street, Shreveport, LA 71101. The hours are Tuesday- Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday from 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm. 

The opening reception will begin at 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Nov. 14 with a $10 admission. Hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, and live music will be provided. Yu will be there for pictures, signings, and questions or comments. Notecards, postcards, and signed posters, prints, and books will be available for purchase throughout the exhibition from Artspace.

Art critic, Jeffrey Cyphers Wright, provided a review of Yu’s work for Live Mag! Titled, “Communing with the Elements: Yu’s Irrepressible Vision.”

“Yu varies her marks considerably, adding to the perception of artistic control over phenomenological chaos,” said Wright of Yu’s “Molten Lava Park” painting, “Amorphous clouds and fiery washes contrast with concise shards and irregular recessions.”

The Rainforest Art Foundation and Marlene Yu Museum are partnering with the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, Shreveport Regional Arts Council, Meadows Museum of Art at Centenary College, Bossier Arts Council, Robinson Film Center, and Sci-Port: Louisiana's Science Center for the "Lucky 7s." The "Lucky 7s" are Marlene Yu's 7 exhibitions in honor of her 70th solo exhibition in her 77th year at 7 local institutions.  Marlene has designed 7 themed, non-overlapping exhibitions selected from her 4000+ paintings, more than 35 series of works, ranging from 16 inches to 37 feet long.

The first show of the Lucky 7s, “Purple Swamp & Nature Abstraction,” was held at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum from Sept. 25 - Nov. 10. The second, “Emerald Forest” opened Sept. 26 and will run through Nov. 29 at the Robinson Film Center in downtown Shreveport. Attendees are encouraged to bring their passport stamped at these first two locations to the opening reception to get their third stamp. Fully stamped passports will be redeemable for a collectible book.

For more information please visit http://www.marleneyumuseum.org/lucky-sevens-dates or call 318-717-9111.

Contact:

Iris MacLean

Public Relations Manager

Rainforest Art Foundation & Marlene Yu Museum

(318) 840-5213

irisrainforestart@gmail.com

www.rainforestartfoundation.org

"Molten Lava", 2003, Acrylic on canvas, Molten Lava Series, 10'x20'

Marlene Tseng Yu Unveils her “Emerald Forest” Exhibition with Vibrant Works Inspired by the 1985 Movie

This exhibition is the second show of 7 from her exhibition series entitled “Lucky 7s” which celebrates her 77th birthday and debut to Louisiana

Marlene Tseng Yu with “Emerald Forest” 2010 Acrylic on canvas 10x20 feet

SHREVEPORT, La., September 15, 2014—Vibrant paintings of a dreamy rainforest abstraction will make the journey to the Robinson Film Center for the second show of Marlene Yu’s “Lucky 7s” exhibition series entitled “Emerald Forest Series” from Sept. 26 through Nov. 29, 2014. Yu’s Emerald Forest series features works inspired by the rainforest, the movie titled “The Emerald Forest,” and humankind’s relation to nature.

The paintings will be on display on the walls of Robinson Film Center’s in-house restaurant, Abby Singers Bistro. The Film Center is located at 617 Texas Street, Shreveport, LA 71101 and the hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 11:00 am-9:00 pm.

Robert C. Morgan describes the series in his essay “Forest Raging: Paintings by Marlene Tseng Yu.” Speaking specifically about the painting, Emerald Forest, Morgan describes the colliding folds of the pyramid shapes as depicting the landscape of the Rainforest. 

“It goes to the center of the forest primeval,” wrote Morgan, “It puts us there.  We are suddenly in the place where we tremble and shiver as the light cuts through the clouds on the wake of the deluge.”  

The 1985 movie titled “Emerald Forest” tells the story of an American engineer, Bill, who loses his son, Tommy, in the Brazilian Rainforest.  Tommy is adopted into an aboriginal tribe after they kidnap him, by rite of passage where he takes on the persona of a spirit animal.  After searching for ten years, Bill finally finds grown-up Tommy, who refuses to go back into civilization.  However, when Tommy's mate is then taken with other tribe women to work as slaves in a forest brothel, he returns to America, scaling a building (as if it were a tree), to get help from his father.  The movie provides social commentary on mankind's invasiveness in nature and tribal communities.  Yu’s paintings draw inspiration from the film's commentary.

Exhibition attendees are encouraged to print a passport at www.marleneyumuseum.org/passport/ and bring it with them to each of the 7 shows to get stamped. Fully stamped passports may be redeemed at the Marlene Yu Museum at the end of the “Lucky 7s” in 2015 to earn a collectible book.

The Rainforest Art Foundation and Marlene Yu Museum are partnering with the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, Shreveport Regional Arts Council, Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, Meadows Museum of Art at Centenary College, Bossier Arts Council, Robinson Film Center, and Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center for the “Lucky 7s”. The “Lucky 7s” are Marlene Yu's 7 exhibitions in honor of her 70th solo exhibition in her 77th year at 7 local institutions.  Marlene has designed 7 themed, non-overlapping exhibitions selected from her 4000+ paintings, more than 35 series of works, ranging from 16 inches to 37 feet long.

In honor of the future Young Artist Gallery to be housed inside the Foundation and Museum building at 710 Travis Street, Shreveport, LA 71101, the Foundation is now accepting donations from sponsors with the proceeds going to children’s programs and the renovation of the YAG room. To become a sponsor with recognition and various benefits packages please visit http://www.rainforestartfoundation.org/donate/ and click on the sponsor tab.

For more information regarding the artist please visit www.marlenetsengyu.com. For more information regarding the Marlene Yu Museum and the “Lucky 7s” shows please visit www.marleneyumuseum.org.

Contact:

Iris MacLean

Public Relations Manager

Rainforest Art Foundation

Marlene Yu Museum

irisrainforestart@gmail.com

(318) 840-5213

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