NATCHITOCHES – A collection of paintings and drawings by Natchitoches artist Brother Michael David Elvestrom will be on exhibit at Northwestern State University’s Orville Hanchey Gallery through mid-July.  The well-known Natchitoches artist will be honored with a reception at the gallery from 5-7 p.m. Friday, June 28.  The public is invited, and guests are encouraged to attend in costume.

The exhibit is taking place in advance of Brother Michael David’s departure from Natchitoches after having been a fixture of the town’s art and culture scene for decades.  Recognizable by his monastic attire, straw hat and theatrical personality, Brother Michael David has impacted the Natchitoches community, NSU and the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts as an artist, designer, teacher, musician and local character. Later this summer, he will move to a residence in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he plans to continue an active studio and social life.

The show includes work from the 1990s to contemporary pieces completed in the last year in oils, watercolor and acrylics.  Brother Michael David titled the show “Embarrassment de Riches.” An embarrassment of riches.

“The art of creation overwhelms me,” he said.

“It’s been a wonderful discovery for me, to go back,” he continued.  “These recent ones, I did 28 paintings in one week, because they are fun for me. This is the most fun I’ve ever had doing artwork, discovering color and being free from the strictness of the academic art world.

“Isn’t it amazing how it just goes on and on.  The big canvases, I painted right over the other ones…and summoned the colors coming from underneath and the whole thing opened up, so as art, they have perfect essence of the abstract.  It was a wonderful discovery.”

Brother Michael David, who identifies as a Franciscan Friar in the Catholic Church, was born in Portland, Oregon, and brought up on a farm with animals and gardens. He won honors with 4-H as a youngster and was the state representative to Chicago in 1963.  Later, he entered a cloistered New York monastery for nine months but left to attend graduate school at the University of Iowa, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts in printmaking.  He taught art, music and theatre for 40 years at NSU and LSMSA and was awarded several fellowships to teach outside the United States.  His work has been featured in numerous exhibitions and is included in the collections of many individuals in Natchitoches and elsewhere.

Brother Michael David has been active in the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Society and other local organizations, often seen at Trinity Episcopal Church, the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and strolling around the Historic District.  Over the years he lent his design talents to many large society and holiday events, balls and historic tours. He was king of the Krewe of Dionysos Mardi Gras festivities in 2004 and was the subject of a 2015 documentary film, “Sacred as Folk.”

In his musical life, Brother Michael David studied and performed solo and in ensembles on flute, organ, harp and as a vocalist, once giving a recital in five languages.

“I’ve done so many things. I have all my degrees.  I have sung opera.  I was in ‘Cosi Fan Tutte.’ I have sung with Dr. Jack Wann in the theatre.  I sung a solo in ‘The Messiah.’  I played in a string quartet for four years, I played harp with Shirley Jennings….”

“My works are constantly in flux and adventurous,” he said. “This whole show for me, ghosts have appeared constantly.  People think I’m doing little tight, classical drawings.  It’s going to be a nice eye-opener for people. I worked for a year [on this show].”

Now facing health issues, Brother Michael David has spent recent days boxing up his art and belongings in anticipation of vacating Our Lady of the Lake Hermitage, his long-time Washington Street home, and looking forward to a new chapter.  His humor and enthusiasm remain intact.

“I’m bringing to Texas some of my outrageous candelabra from Mardi Gras.  They have a krewe out there.”

Friday’s reception is free and open to the public.

Orville Hanchey Gallery is located in NSU’s Creative and Performing Arts Complex on Central Avenue.  Regular hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m.-noon on Fridays.