Lavonte Lucas/Courtbouillon
Artist Gilbert D. Fletcher, DU Class of 1970, stands with Nezrene James, alumni relations assistant, before one of his works at the opening of his “In Light and Water” exhibit Oct. 17 at the Alumni House.

NEW ORLEANS (Nov. 2, 2018) – The works of artist Gilbert Fletcher, DU Class of 1970, will be on display through May 30 in Dillard’s Alumni House.

Fletcher, who was named DU’s first alumni artist-in-residence, appeared for the exhibit opening Oct. 17 that was attended by a crowd of faculty and students of about 25-30.

Fletcher, known for his famous Congo Square art poster for the 2009 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, is a visual arts teacher in the Bronx, N.Y. His 15-piece exhibit is being displayed here under the theme “In Light and Water,” a collection of his reflections on New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

 “ ‘In Light and Water’ ” tries to capture the power of Mother Nature playing her music against the foliage and facades of old New Orleans buildings that glow in its light even if abandoned,” said Fletcher in a pamphlet.

Fletcher’s art has been viewed in museums all over the world, including in France and Ghana as well as the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Museum of African American Art in Ohio and Boston.

And this isn’t the first time he has shown his art at Dillard; he created the murals in Kearny Dining Hall.

He also wrote a book published in 2003, “Painted Voices: An Artist’s Journey into the World of Black Writers.”

Fletcher said plans initially were for the exhibit to happen last year, but the work was put together rather quickly after he came up with the title.

Fletcher earned his master’s from The Pratt Institute.

(Shakearah Winston contributed to this report.)