Pysanky, the traditional Ukrainian art of decorating eggs, is an enchanting form of expression that elevates the egg into a canvas for intricate designs and deep symbolism. The practice of pysanky dates back centuries, with roots embedded in Ukrainian culture.

The process of creating pysanky is meticulous, involving the use of beeswax and a specialized tool called a ‘kistka.’ The artist applies layers of wax to the eggshell, with each layer covering the parts that should retain the egg’s original color. Between each wax application, the egg is dipped in dyes, progressing from light to dark shades. After the final dye bath, the wax is melted to reveal the intricate design, and the egg becomes a masterpiece.

In the vibrant realm of pysanky artistry, our very own Bossier City resident, Shelley Masog, owner of The Pysanky Nest, shines as a pysanky artist known for her exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to preserving this age-old tradition. In 2022, her commitment earned her top honors at the Louisiana State Fair, where she claimed the first place and grand champion titles for her captivating Christmas ornaments. Shelley’s interest in the art of pysanky was sparked by her uncle in Minnesota, a seasoned pysanky artist of many years.

“The fact that it’s done on real eggshells is fascinating,” said Masog. “In 2011, he showed me how to create my first pysanka, and I have been writing Pysanky ever since.”

“I also fill tiny eggshells, such as finch and parakeet eggs, with resin to make jewelry.”

Shelley Masog’s unique combination of Pysanky and jewelry-making serves as a captivating bridge between tradition and innovation. When asked about the message or emotions she hopes to convey through her art, Shelley passionately expresses, “I love creating Pysanky and sharing this art with others. I enjoy learning about other cultures, so I hope others enjoy learning about this unique art form.”

By blending the ancient with the contemporary, Shelley’s creations offer a vibrant, living connection to a rich artistic tradition and contribute to the local artistic community. You can find Shelley’s Pysanky art by visiting her artist shop on Etsy, located at www.etsy.com/shop/PysankyNest.

“Bobby’s dedication to SLT for over five decades is unparalleled,” board president Marianne Archibald stated. “He has achieved an incredible amount during his 27-year tenure as our Managing and Artistic Director, and his commitment to the theater is immeasurable. While we will miss his day-to-day leadership, we are thrilled that he has graciously offered to continue as a consultant and advisor to ensure the legacy he has built continues to thrive.”

Darrow’s connection with Shreveport Little Theatre began in 1973 when he worked backstage during the production of “Toys in the Attic” under the direction of Robert Buseick. His journey as an actor began at SLT in 1975 when he portrayed Prince Charming in “Snow White,” in the historic premiere stage production of a Walt Disney script.

In 1998, the theater faced financial challenges, with debts surpassing available funds. Darrow was invited by the board of directors to direct “Dearly Departed,” marking his first contribution as a director. Shortly thereafter, he assumed the role of Managing and Artistic Director. Under his steadfast leadership, SLT consistently delivered high-quality productions, breaking box office records and steadily increasing its membership and ticket sales over the ensuing decades. Throughout his tenure, SLT’s participants, including volunteer actors, board members, and patrons, increasingly mirrored the diverse community of northwest Louisiana.

In 2000, under Darrow’s guidance, the restoration of the original theater began with the expansion of the lobby and the addition of a courtyard. Fundraising efforts initiated in 2002 to rebuild the stage and backstage areas, which had been destroyed in a 1986 fire, saw success thanks to Darrow’s collaboration with Louisiana Senator Lydia P. Jackson and Representative Roy Burrell. The resulting $1,750,000 in State Capital Outlay Funding laid the foundation for a state-of-the-art, 15,200 square foot theater that opened on March 3, 2011. The inaugural production, Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire,” directed by Dr. Darrow, was met with critical acclaim.

As a grant writer during his tenure, Darrow secured over $1,200,000 in awards for the Shreveport Little Theatre and Academy.

As a director, Darrow achieved notable success with productions such as “Steel Magnolias,” “To Kill A Mockingbird,” “Greater Tuna,” “A Tuna Christmas,” “Smoke on the Mountain,” “Sanders Family Christmas,” “The Sound of Music,” and both productions of “Always, Patsy Cline.

A native of Shreveport, Darrow served as the student body president at C.E. Byrd High School. He earned his BA degree from Centenary College of Louisiana in 1981, his MA from LSUS in 2001, and his EdD in Leadership from LSUS in 2018. He boasts a diverse career, including a decade in corporate management, serving as CEO of several nonprofit organizations in Shreveport. Notably, with his physician, he established The Philadelphia Center in 1990, where he currently serves as the Executive Director Emeritus.

Darrow’s numerous accolades include the National Association of Christians and Jews’ “Unsung Hero Award” in 1996, the American Civil Liberties Union’s “Bill of Rights Award” for 1998-1999, the Community Foundation of North Louisiana’s 2008 “G. Scott Griffin Memorial Award,” The Philadelphia Center’s 2015 “Lifetime Achievement Award,” and The Times’ (Gannett’s) 2016 “Northwest Louisiana Prism Award.”

By Kim Condon

In a bold move that saw the BPCC Cavalier Players venturing beyond their Louisiana roots, the spotlight recently shone on their production of Jeffrey Hatcher’s “Scotland Road” in the heart of Chicagoland. Collaborating with the esteemed Canterbury Summer Theatre from Michigan City, Indiana, this theatrical escapade provided BPCC Theatre students with a hands-on experience in touring and staging a live play.

The play revolves around a mysterious incident – a young woman dressed in nineteenth-century garb discovered floating on an iceberg in the vast North Atlantic. With just a single word, “Titanic,” escaping her lips, the mystery deepens as she cryptically refers to a place called “Scotland Road.”

Guided by Dr. Ray Scott Crawford, Director of Scotland Road, and Artistic Director of Canterbury Summer Theatre for over 38 years, the play showcases the talents of BPCC Theatre actors and students Blaine Fultz, Sarah Noelle Foster, Riley Burns, and Lauren Holland. The logistical aspects were in capable hands too, with recent graduate Johnathan Houghes managing the stage, supported by talented freshman Brody Hines. Contributions from David White, the Technical Director, and Jim Boyter, the Properties Designer, ensured the seamless execution of this traveling production.

“Being able to reconstruct the set in new environments can be challenging, but also a wonderful learning opportunity for aspiring technical production professionals,” said Houghes.

Dr. Crawford emphasized the synergy of the collaboration, noting, “For eighteen summers, BPCC and Canterbury have come together to create outstanding productions. This year was no exception, offering our students a platform to shine professionally while enriching Canterbury’s esteemed season.”

Stepping into a leading role, Blaine Fultz shared his enthusiasm, saying, “I’m on track to graduate this December with my theatre degree,” said Blaine Fultz. “This experience has truly enhanced the performance opportunities I’ve been a part of at BPCC. It’s challenged me to apply the skills I’ve acquired over my time on campus and has been an incredible journey that has put my acquired skills to the test.”

The Women’s Department Club of Shreveport was founded in November 1919 by a group of women inspired by the city’s oldest literary club, the Hypatia Club. The club’s early years were focused on promoting education and cultural enrichment for women in the community. In 1925, the club commissioned local architect Clarence King to design a grand, elegant manor for its headquarters, which still stands today. The club, born of the suffrage movement following the turn of the century, was founded, and furthered by prominent Shreveport ladies who dedicated their time and effort to expose women to education, literacy, and equality opportunities in the local area.

The club boasted many “departments” such as education, arts, home learning and other skills for developing stronger cultural ties and advancement for women. Those early pioneers of culture had the foresight to create a 400+ theater atop the second floor of the clubhouse.  This theater was used for lectures and performances, as well as other club related events. The club has supported the arts and artists in the area and has provided a space for cultural events and gatherings.

After struggling with the result of COVID-19, the club partnered with the Louisiana Grandstand in 2020 to help grow awareness and use of the historic building, affectionately known as the “Lady on Line”. What started with monthly concerts billed as the Shreveport Opry has now blossomed into a growing schedule of touring artists, showcases of regional talent and a hub of music development. This partnership has worked tirelessly to restore the building in many ways, including an installation of a new roof and other cosmetic repair projects beginning in 2022.