Founded in 1727, Ursuline Academy is the oldest Catholic
school and the oldest continuously-operating school for females in the United
States. After some seventy schools
in eighteen months on the Life & Legacy Tour, I’m pretty well-seasoned and
rarely intimidated. However, the
fact remains that I’m an embodiment of religious ambiguity and attended a
series of, albeit excellent, public schools in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The very idea of Ursuline Academy,
located in Uptown New Orleans, caused my brow to raise, just a bit. Could I possibly relate to this house
of history, pedigree, and piety?
And could they possibly relate to me?
I invited my cousin to join me for the adventure. Kelly McClanahan Yeager graduated from
Ursuline Academy in 1986. Together we toured the school, church, and museum, swept away by this treasure-trove of culture, history, and faith.
Thanks to the boundless support of my team, Eldridge Tervalon, Douglas Magnus, and Douglas Shiell, I brought seven museum-quality, original George Rodrigue paintings, ranging in date from 1968 -2013, and shared them with the students over four hour-long sessions.
The girls wore ‘casual blue’ in George’s honor, triply appropriate as not only their school color, but also the signature color of autism awareness month. This important cause was beautifully interwoven into our day with a presentation by Amy Collins of the Beignet Fest and Tres Doux Foundation, "supporting New Orleans-area programs that serve children with developmental delays." Learn more here- https://www.beignetfest.com/the-cause-mission/
In between, we admired paintings by students inspired by
George Rodrigue. They explored the
classic oaks and contemporary dogs in their own creative ways, with exceptional
artworks that both touched and awed. We also enjoyed lunch with Ursuline Academy President Karen
McNay in her grand office, where we dined on crab cakes (a Lenten Friday
delicacy), discussed our confidence in and admiration for today’s young people,
and experienced McNay’s own enchanting paintings!
It was the last group, however, the 7th graders, that stunned me the most on this phenomenal day. You see, up to now, I have funded this tour entirely on my own. It’s brought me to schools not only throughout Louisiana, but also Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Florida. This year we expand into California and Texas. Funding it alone, I can’t sustain it. And yet I must. I have witnessed the transformative potential of art, inspired by George’s story and paintings, and there’s no going back.
The students presented me with a check from
funds they raised to help this programming. Unbeknownst to them, it is the seed money for the all-new
George Rodrigue Life & Legacy Foundation. The money will help bring George’s original art and life
story to rural schools, title 1 schools, and many others, both within Louisiana
and nationwide. These young Ursuline
women empower me, as a woman who still feels like a girl, to fly. I
won’t let you down.
Thank you, Ursuline Academy, for welcoming me to your
school and allowing me to share with you about the extraordinary man and artist, George Rodrigue. You are humble, gracious,
eager, generous, joyful, and super-cool! Thank
you for helping me to make a difference.
And thank you for inviting me back to visit with your high school
students. You have inspired me, and I can’t wait!
Dream!
Create! Embrace your
ideas! Make a difference! Change the world!
See you in the fall, Ursuline girls-
Wendy
-See more photos and learn more about the
George Rodrigue Life & Legacy Tour and Foundation here- https://georgerodrigue.com/life-legacy/today/
-Photographs throughout by my husband, hero, and George's dear friend, artist Douglas Magnus, pictured here as we strolled the levy along the Mississippi River following our special day at Ursuline Academy.

Wendy - I had such an amazing time sharing the day with you. I had so many memories flourished in my head. You are truly an inspiration to the art community and were to Ursuline girls that day. I know that George is looking down on you so proud and touched that people are learning what an incredible man and artist he was. Again, thank for the lovely comments about me and looking forward to your next visit.
ReplyDeleteYour presence made the whole experience that much more special and unique, dear cousin. I hope you'll join me again in the fall!
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