Working with the adage, “If you can’t take the heat, break out the linen,” Covington’s 11th annual White Linen for Public Art night will celebrate work by both up-and-coming artists and some fan favorites on Aug. 16.
“There will be something for everyone to see. This year we will have ballet, live music and great visual art on display,” said Lisa Ward, founder of the Covington Public Art Fund and one of the organizers of the event to which visitors are expected to help beat back the heat by wearing linen or other white, light summer clothing.
“Traditionally, August is a slow time for local businesses, and we like to help stimulate foot traffic through our downtown shops and restaurants with wonderful displays,” said Ward.
Most of the participating businesses will be found within the borders of Rutland, Columbia, Lockwood, and Hampshire streets in downtown Covington.
Ward said the White Linen sponsors, participating businesses and artists will give a percentage of their sales to support public art projects in the city.
“Last year, we were able to install a sculpture at the Tammany Trace Trailhead by artist Steve Martin,” she said. “Our first installation was a sculpture of Walker Percy in Bogue Falaya Park. For our next project, we are in the process of getting approval for an installation with the Seward Johnson Foundation.”
The foundation is famous for their life-size sculptures of everyday people doing everyday things, according to Ward.
If approved, statues would be installed throughout downtown Covington in 2026. Funds raised during the Night for Public Art event will go toward the $40,000 price tag for the installation.
Saladino Gallery will host the work of 30 artists at White Linen Night. Danny Saladino said his gallery has been involved in the Public Art Fund since its inception, and he’s excited about what will be featured for this year’s event – including a new painting from Tessa Chauvin and a new concept piece from Craig McMillin, both Covington area artists.
Chauvin is one of the younger artists taking part in the gallery’s program, according to Saladino. A 2012 college graduate, Chauvin has been working as a studio artist for about ten years.
“She is super talented, and we’re excited to see her new work,” Saladino said.
According to Chauvin, her paintings range in size from very tiny miniatures to the 24 by 48 inch canvas she will have on display at the gallery. Her acrylic paintings focus on natural themes and says she’s getting the reputation of being ‘the bird lady,’ due to her affinity for painting egrets, herons and especially cormorants.
“I’ve worked with Danny for several years. He has encouraged me to paint larger canvases and build up a body of work towards having a solo show,” said Chauvin.
McMillin has worked as an artist in St. Tammany Parish for about 34 years and has enjoyed working with Danny Saladino on a new project for this year’s public art night.
“Danny and I go back a long time, but we haven’t worked together for about 10 years. Working on this new piece has let us get reacquainted. Our joint project involved me creating a ceramic sculpture that nobody has seen before. Then I passed it off to Danny so that he could incorporate unusual elements of rope, knots, and custom-made hardware. I think the finished product will be a bit of a surprise to both of us,” said McMillin.
The new McMillin/Saladino collaborative piece and Tessa Chauvin’s latest work will displayed in the Saladino Gallery at 409 E. Boston St.
Covington White Linen for Public Art is free and open to the public and will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, go to www.covingtonpublicart.org.
