The LSU Museum of Art Neighborhood Arts Project is now in full swing this summer! Due to the pandemic, LSU MOA has adapted Neighborhood Arts Project (NAP) this summer by creating engaging art lessons for activity kits that can be safely distributed to long-term NAP collaborators and community organizations meeting current nutrition needs and filling educational gaps. LSU MOA is distributing these art kits to multiple East Baton Rouge Parish sites to reach children in under-invested neighborhoods with limited arts education access throughout this summer. NAP art kits include lessons and activities developed by LSU MOA educator Grant Benoit connected to LSU MOA’s collections as well as supplies including crayons, watercolors, chalk, scissors, glue, pencils, that allow children to pursue their own creative projects in addition to activities provided.

The LSU MOA staff is grateful to have student volunteers assist us in assembling our NAP art kits this summer to distribute out into the Baton Rouge community. Recently, we spoke with Morgan Gallegos, a rising senior at St. Joseph's Academy and member of Mayor-President Broome's Youth Advisory Council, about her experience so far with LSU MOA and our Neighborhood Arts Project education program.

Q&A with Morgan Gallegos

LSU MOA: Hi Morgan! We are so happy you are assisting our NAP program this summer. Just to start off, how are you staying creative during these socially distant times?

MG: The pandemic allowed me to rekindle my passion for creating things because I’ve had more time to read all the novels and poetry I love, which always piques my creativity. During these socially distant times, I’ve been writing short stories, creating art from old jewelry, and attempting to cross-stitch.

LSU MOA: Wow that’s awesome! So why community service? What interests you about it?

MG: Community service is one of my core values because it allows me to explore my interests through a worldly lens and become part of causes larger than myself. Volunteering is a reminder that people are suffering in my community and need additional support, and it is one of the best lessons in compassion.

IMAGES: Morgan Gallegos, a rising senior at St. Joseph's Academy and member of Mayor-President Broome's Youth Advisory Council, assisting with assembling NAP art kits this summer.

LSU MOA: Can you tell us about the MYAC (East Baton Rouge Mayor's Youth Advisory Council) program and why you got involved?

MG: Mayor President Sharon Weston Broome’s Youth Advisory Council represents the interests of the youth in Baton Rouge by selecting two representatives from each high school in East Baton Rouge Parish to seek solutions to issues defined by the youth in the community. We meet twice a month to develop parish-wide community service projects within our committees. The MYAC program allows students to share their vision for Baton Rouge and empowers them to utilize their gifts for the common good. I wanted to participate in the MYAC program because I value their emphasis on collaboration and their dedication to holistically solving problems. (Learn more: www.myacbr.com)

LSU MOA: After volunteering at the museum for awhile now, can you tell us your favorite artwork currently on view at LSU Museum of Art?

MG: One of my favorite pieces from the LSU Museum of Art is Demond Matsuo’s Figure with Ox in the current Living with Art: Selections from Baton Rouge Collections exhibition. It’s amazing how Demond Matsuo creates a new and cohesive message from seemingly disparate materials and, to me, this piece specifically feels like a faint memory from a dream or a mythological story.

Thanks so much for talking with us Morgan!

Stay tuned for more NAP Summer Highlights on social media @lsumoa and here at lsumoa.org

LSU MOA’s Neighborhood Arts Project is made possible with the support of the following community partners: Office of Mayor President Sharon Weston Broome, Art Bridges, Louisiana CAT, and BREC. Thank you also to partners at the Interfaith Federation, Gardere Initiative, Village Resource Center, and HYPE. Thank you to the volunteers who have helped LSU MOA staff put these NAP art kits together including Morgan Gallegos, a rising senior at St. Joseph's Academy and member of Mayor-President Broome's Youth Advisory Council, and Key Club students from Baton Rouge High School. If you would like more information about this LSU Museum of Art program and how to become involved contact museum educator Grant Benoit, gbenoit1@lsu.edu or click here to learn more out the LSU MOA NAP program.