With four kids, a perpetually moving brush, and a contagious energy, Barbara Weigel was passionate about art. She was a portraiture painter and a middle school art teacher, but her greatest talent was inspiring young artists. Barbara was the founder of Whimsies, a popular Uptown art exhibition that continues to this day showcasing the work of emerging artists. When the Contemporary Arts Center’s board discussed the best way to commemorate her, they established the CAC/Barbara L. Weigel Emerging Artists Fund. The CAC aims to launch the grant program by 2012 in timing with the culmination of its 35th Birthday celebration.
Administered by the Greater New Orleans Foundation, this endowed fund is designed to identify an emerging visual artist and give them a grant for art supplies. “Oftentimes supplies are their greatest expense,” says Merit Shalett with the CAC. “But what would really make Barbara proud is knowing that the artist receiving this grant is invited to show their work at the CAC.” All the more special since Barbara’s son Jay is the visionary leader of the CAC since 1996.
Oil on Canvas by Barbara Weigel.
To view a sampling of Barbara’s work, please click here.
