Between two-stepping to Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr., digging into the Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, and wandering the streets of historic Leesville—at this year’s MayFest, leave time for perusing the remarkable ceramic works on display at Gallery One Ellleven on South 3rd Street, too.
Celebrating Legend Country's Ceramic Artists
For a second year running, the gallery will mount its special annual pottery exhibition, timed to coincide with Legend Country’s biggest spring festival. Dubbed “ClayFest,” this exhibition showcases original work by ceramic artists from across the region. “It is not a competition,” explains Gallery One Ellleven owner and local artist Tony McDonald. “Nor is it merely an exhibit. Each potter has a table, and they spend the time showing, selling, and visiting with festival attendees.” Many artists share their process, performing wheel and hand building demonstrations for passers-by.
The gallery—which is at the heart of a thriving Vernon Parish art scene—has a long history of supporting MayFest by co-sponsoring an annual “Chalk a Block” interactive drawing area with the Leesville Rotary Club, as well as bringing in guest artists for special festival events and projects. According to McDonald, ClayFest represents another way to highlight the talents of artists across Louisiana—offering them a no-cost platform to share their work and interact directly with local arts lovers.
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Brenda Morrison, Leesville local potter
Fostering Community Through Art
McDonald also points out that ClayFest, as well as MayFest by extension, is an important opportunity to showcase “the full depth and quality of the arts in our area”—highlighting the work of longtime Louisianans as well as the vibrant transplant community around Vernon Parish’s military bases. “Many of our gallery volunteers are military spouses,” he said. “And the gallery works very closely with Fort Johnson Spouse’s club on many projects within the community.”
Leesville’s own potter, Brenda Morrison, came to the area as a teenager in a military family. After moving away for a decade, she has now returned to Vernon Parish permanently and become a figurehead in the local arts community. “This place fuels my creativity and infuses whimsy into my clay characters’ designs,” she said. At last year’s inaugural ClayFest, Morrison’s non-fired soft clay designs sold out entirely, affirming the artist’s “passion for spreading joy within our supportive community,” she said. This year, Morrison’s booth will feature a “Hands On” area, inviting visitors to create their own ceramic art. In this way, Morrison hopes to inspire others to indulge in the lost art of “play”.
Other featured artists visitors can expect to see at this year’s ClayFest include Sean Callander, the head of Northwestern State University’s ceramics department, who will share a booth with several of his students.
Photo courtesy of Rickie Smith
And presenting at her first show in Louisiana since relocating from Houston, nationally acclaimed potter Karen Skipper Cruce will offer nature-inspired bowls, plates, and more. “I’m excited to attend, and to see what I can do for the Louisiana pottery community,” said Cruce.
According to Brenda Morrison, MayFest is more than just a festival. “It embodies our community’s rich tapestry of art, history, and culture,” she said. “It’s a celebration of unity, where people from all walks of life come together to revel in art, music, and delicious food—keeping our traditions alive for future generations.”
ClayFest will take place inside Gallery One Ellleven at 111 S 3rd Street in Leesville’s Main Street District on May 3 and 4. For details, please contact Tony McDonald at galleryonellleven@gmail.com.
