A Mule and A Museum

Here is the finished drawing of the mule, and the destination

for it in about a month. I visited the Schepis Museum in

Columbia, Louisiana today to see the space, and get an idea

of the show's arrangement and installation. It is a really

nice space. The building was built in 1916, and is Italian

architecture. There are two statues on top; George Washington

holding an American flag, and Christopher Columbus holding

an Italian flag. An American eagle flies above them, and an

Italian coat of arms is placed in the center. John Schepis was

an architect in Italy, and immigrated to America, and eventually

built this structure in the riverboat town of Columbia on the

Ouachita River. Over the years the building has been a

mercantile store, a feed and seed business, even a skating

rink. It was restored in 1993 after being placed on the National

Historic Register in 1985. Today it houses the museum with

rotating exhibits, the Caldwell Parish Downtown Development,

and the Chamber of Commerce.

It is fitting that part of my "Destinations" show will include

Italy. Also in the show will be Alaska, Key West, Big Bend,

New York City, and New Orleans. I am excited and will

post you on the progress.