The Hilliard Art Museum at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is showcasing its permanent collection for the first time in over a decade through the exhibition "Tides, Times and Terrain: Floyd Sonnier and the Evolving Cultural Landscape." The show features more than 41 artists from southwest Louisiana, including the prominently displayed 1844 painting "Woman In Tignon," which was once misidentified as Marie Laveau. Executive Director Molly Rowe and Curator-at-Large Aaron Levi Garvey are rotating pieces from the museum's 2,000-work collection throughout its 11,000 square feet of gallery space, emphasizing the importance of placing historical works in contemporary context.
This exhibition matters because it demonstrates how university museums can serve as anchors for both regional identity and global artistic dialogue. By juxtaposing permanent collection works by Louisiana artists like George Rodrigue and Elemore Morgan Jr. with traveling exhibitions such as "Rodin: Toward Modernity," the Hilliard creates meaningful connections between local heritage and international art history. The museum's renewed focus on its permanent collection—including works by Robert Rauschenberg, who had deep ties to Lafayette—reinforces its mission to be "locally rooted and globally engaged," making art more accessible and impactful for the community.