Online Special: Keith Waits & Martin Rollins on Mary Ann Currier

The Louisville School of Art Reunion Exhibition ran April 19 through May 31, 2026, at Bourne-Schweitzer Gallery in New Albany, Indiana. This interview with Martin Rollins was recorded in Studio B at WXOX 97.1 FM/Artxfm.com to be included in that exhibit.

This Louisville School of Art Reunion celebrates the artists connected through a small but influential art school that existed in the Louisville, Kentucky area from 1909 to 1985. Formally established as the Louisville School of Art (LSA) in 1968, the accredited four-year BFA program offered majors in Ceramics, Metalsmithing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Textiles.

Originally located in historic homes near the University of Louisville, where it at times functioned as the university’s art department, LSA moved in 1969 to the Life Insurance Building in Anchorage, Kentucky. After twelve years, the school returned to Louisville, relocating to the historic Cloister, a former Ursuline convent.

The LSA played a major role in shaping Louisville’s arts community. This exhibition features work by artists active during the school’s years in Louisville, Anchorage, and the Cloister.

Hosted by Julie Schweitzer (Gallery Director), Art Orr (BFA 1974), and Deane Patton (BFA 1976).

Remembering Mary Ann Currier & Louisville School of Art

Martin Rollins

Artists Talk with LVA: June 5, 2025

Elmer Lucille Allen and Sandra Charles join us to talk about their exhibit, “Echoes of the Ages,” which opens on June 7th at the Bourne-Schweitzer Gallery. Tune in to WXOXm 97.1 FM/Artxfm.com each Thursday at 10 am to hear Artists Talk with LVA.

Sandra Charles & Elmer Lucille Allen are here to talk about their exhibit Echoes of the Ages, which opens June 7th at Bourne-Schweitzer Gallery with a reception from 1 - 3 pm. There will also be an artist's talk on July 10th

Sandra Charles is an oil painter who believes you should never give up on your dreams.  Her work focuses on the culture, history, and social issues that affect African American women.  Sandra has painted all her life, but began her career as a batik fiber artist.  She returned to school in 2011 and obtained a Bachelor of Fine Art Degree in painting from the University of Louisville.  After graduation, she realized painting was her passion and retired to concentrate on her art. 

Elmer Lucille Allen is a ceramic and fiber artist and chemist who graduated from Nazareth College (now Spalding University) in 1953. Both her father and brother were named Elmer, and the family chose to name her Elmer Lucille. She became the first African-American chemist at Brown-Forman in 1966. After retiring, she began studying art at the University of Louisville, where she received her Master of Creative Arts degree with a focus on ceramics and fiber in 2002. Allen's textile work incorporates shibori dyeing techniques.

Echoes of the Past at Bourne-Schweitzer Gallery

Sandra Charles & Elmer Lucille Allen

Artists Talk with LVA: November 9, 2023

Julie Schweitzer will be exhibiting Fong Choo: An Artistic Journey in Clay at Bourne-Schweitzer Gallery in New Albany beginning Nov. 18, and both artist and gallery director come to talk about in the studio this week. Tune n to WXOX 97.1 FM/Artxfm.com each Thursday at 10 am to hear Artists Talk with LVA.

Fong Choo is a Singapore-born American studio potter and teacher who creates diminutive, sculptural porcelain teapots. He is best known for his use of low-fire commercial glazes, firing them to Cone 6 to achieve luscious, jewel-tone effects. He has taught workshops both nationally at art centers around like Penland School of Arts and Crafts, Arrowmont School of art and craft, and internationally in countries like Israel, Canada and most recently in Singapore.

Over the years, he has also received numerous awards for his work at The Smithsonian Craft Show where he was awarded The Excellence in Ceramics Award in Washington DC. Others include Best of Show at the American Craft Exposition in Evanston, ILand The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show in Philadelphia, PA.

"What is so exciting about looking at a sleeping tiger?"

"Nothing. But if you take a stick and poke at it, you will remember that tiger for the rest of your life!"

This is part of a conversation I once had at the Minnesota Zoo.

In many ways, this parallels my attitude towards clay: it requires poking to awaken it. One must push the limits, test waters, search, prod and explore its many boundaries.

For more than ten years my work has been focused on Miniature Teapots. The teapot form continues to challenge and fascinate me. The work shown in this gallery is the result of over a decade of evolution in color, design and form. I invite you into that place.

I feel blessed to be able to pursue the life of a potter -- especially when it requires poking the sleeping tiger…

Fong Choo: An Artistic Journey in Clay is at Bourne-Schweitzer Gallery in New Albany beginning Nov. 18, 2023

Fong Choo: An Artistic Journey in Clay is at Bourne-Schweitzer Gallery

Fong Choo