Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 3/1/01
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple   

Editors: Photo accompanies release
CLARK HALL EXHIBITS SPOTLIGHT NEW ORLEANS' UNIQUE CEMETERIES
     HAMMOND -- "Elysium -- A Gathering of Souls" and "Cities of the Dead," exhibits of
artwork inspired by New Orleans' colorful and historic cemeteries, will be on display March 7 to
April 6 at Southeastern Louisiana University's Clark Hall Gallery.
     "Elysium -- A Gathering of Souls" features New Orleans photographer Sandra Russell
Clark's luminous black and white photographs. "Elysium" is the first exhibition to document the
visual, aesthetic and atmospheric dimensions of the unique above ground cemeteries, which are
artifacts representing 200 years of the city's colorful history.
     The exhibits will open with a reception from 4 to 6 p.m. March 7 in Clark Hall Gallery.
Sandra Russell Clark will conduct at gallery walk-through at 4:30 p.m.
     Author and National Public Radio commentator Andrei Codrescu, who will present a
special lecture at Southeastern on March 15, said Clark photographs cemetery statuary "as if it
holds an occult key.
     "She is persuaded by the drama inherent in stone and weather," Codrescu said. "A white
washed mausoleum washed in sunlight stands in stark contrast against a blackened sky. Rolling
gulf clouds stampede angel-topped 'houses,' heralding Judgement Day and the tombs eruption."
     Codrescu's lecture is scheduled for 2 p.m. on the third floor of Sims Memorial Library.
His campus visit is sponsored by the Southeastern Sociology and Criminal Justice Department
and Clark Hall Gallery.
     In addition to "Elysium," Clark Hall Gallery also will feature the works of Louisiana
artists who have found artistic inspiration in New Orleans cemeteries. Artist exhibiting their
works in "Cities of the Dead" are Michael Willmon, Evelyn Menge, Shirley Rab‚ Masinter and
Debra Howell.
     Clark Hall Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., weekdays. For additional information
contact Don Marshall, Clark Hall Gallery director, 985-549-5080/2193.
                             -SLU-
Press release available online at www.selu.edu/NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsp01.htm