River Oaks Square Arts Center

River Oaks Square Arts Center A contemporary visual arts and fine crafts center featuring three galleries, a unique gift shop, educational spaces, and working studios for resident artists.
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In 1979, the Bolton Family donated their family home to the City of Alexandria in an agreement it would be used solely for the arts. The Bolton Home was the catalyst for River Oaks Square Arts Center. Circa 1899, the house is exemplary of Queen Anne Revival Architect in Louisiana and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. After years of renovation to the Bolton Home, River Oaks opened its' doors in 1984 to meet the needs of the community which it serves. In 1999, a new 15,000 square foot Studio Annex building opened it's doors to meet the changing, additional needs of the Center. Both buildings occupy a one block square lot in Downtown Alexandria's Cultural District and are connected by a unique columned walk-way. The Studio Annex Building houses 25 studios, 3 galleries, an on-site Arts Academy, a full scale ceramics studio (four kilns), and rental space. The 8,000 square foot Bolton Home houses administrative offices, 7 studios and a gallery gift shop, featuring works of art from over 200 artists. For over 30 years, it has been River Oaks Square Arts Center's (ROSAC) mission to promote contemporary visual art and fine crafts, to stimulate interest in, exhibition of, education of and appreciation for regional, resident, and local artists and their work. Currently, there are over 40 artists in residence (occupying studio space); an on-site arts academy provides continuous classes for adults and youth; presentation of twenty four exhibits are featured annually; outreach events are conducted for rural parishes/minority schools; collaborative efforts are ongoing with special needs organizations; and unique projects for youth stimulate knowledge and appreciation of fine arts and crafts.

✨ VAN GOGH GALA COLLABORATIONS — SNEAK PEEK! ✨The creative magic is already underway! 🎨Guest Artist: Amy RichmondMentor ...
09/11/2026

✨ VAN GOGH GALA COLLABORATIONS — SNEAK PEEK! ✨

The creative magic is already underway! 🎨

Guest Artist: Amy Richmond
Mentor Artist: Lindsay B. Moore

What will this dynamic duo create? You’ll have to join us at the Gala to find out! 👀🎭🎨

🌙 THE ANNUAL VAN GOGH GALA
Saturday, October 24, 2026
7:00 PM ~ Until
🎟️ Tickets: $70 per person
📞 318-473-2670

WHAT IS THE VAN GOGH GALA?

The Annual Van Gogh Gala is River Oaks Square Arts Center’s largest annual fundraiser, bringing together artists, patrons, and community members for an unforgettable evening of creativity, collaboration, and celebration.

For one night, community members have the opportunity to become “Artists for an Evening.” Guest Artists are paired with a Mentor Artist—a River Oaks Resident Artist or talented local artist—to collaborate on the creation of an original contemporary visual art masterpiece.

Some artists also contribute their own original works through a juried process.

✨ All masterpieces will be unveiled and showcased during the exciting live auction on Gala night, with proceeds benefiting the ongoing operations, exhibitions, education, and programs of River Oaks Square Arts Center.

🌙 2026 THEME:

MIDNIGHT AT THE MET — HAUNT COUTURE

When the museum closes and midnight strikes… the art comes alive. 🖤

Stay tuned for more Van Gogh Gala Collaboration Sneak Peeks as these masterpieces take shape!

Oaks Square Arts Center

We Will Never Forget.For those of us old enough, do you remember what you were doing that day when the first plane struc...
09/11/2026

We Will Never Forget.
For those of us old enough, do you remember what you were doing that day when the first plane struck the Twin Towers?
It was such a horrible experience to watch unfold, one that is etched in our lives. We must never forget the almost 3000 souls that were lost that tragic day, September 11th, 2001.

River Oaks Square Arts Center presents Annual Van Gogh Gala: Midnight at the Met - Haunt CoutureWhen the clock strikes...
09/10/2026

River Oaks Square Arts Center presents
Annual Van Gogh Gala: Midnight at the Met - Haunt Couture

When the clock strikes midnight... the galleries awaken.

This Halloween season, River Oaks Square Arts Center invites you to experience The Annual Van Gogh Gala: Midnight at the Met— an unforgettable evening of opulent decadence where haute couture collides with haunting intrigue, extraordinary costumery, and magnificent masterpieces.

As darkness settles over the historic Arts Center grounds, guests will step into a mysterious museum after hours, where shadows dance through candlelit galleries, forgotten artists whisper their stories, and legendary works of art come alive in breathtaking costume form. Inspired by the glamour of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art with a touch of macabre luxury, the evening blends black-tie sophistication with midnight opulence, gothic elegance, and the enchanting mystery of All Hallows' Eve.

Guests are encouraged to become part of the art by arriving in imaginative attire that celebrates the boundless world of creativity. Think living masterpieces—high fashion infused with ghosts, decay, glamour, and theatrical storytelling. Imagine if Alexander McQueen, Tim Burton, Edgar Allan Poe, and a Renaissance master collaborated to curate an unforgettable gallery of living art. Whether inspired by a famous masterpiece, a renowned artist, mythology, sculpture, fashion through the ages, or the mystery of the museum itself, artistic costumes are not only welcomed—they are celebrated.

Throughout the evening, discover immersive gallery experiences, hauntingly beautiful décor, flickering candlelight, contemporary visual art collaborations, live auctions and unexpected encounters around every corner. As the night unfolds, guests will enjoy exquisite cuisine, signature cocktails, silent and live auctions, and unforgettable moments celebrating creativity, imagination, and the enduring spirit of the arts.

More than a spectacular Halloween soirée, the Van Gogh Gala is the River Oaks Square Arts Center's premier annual fundraising event, supporting year-round exhibitions, educational programming, artist residencies, outreach initiatives, and the Summer Arts Studio. Every ticket purchased and every contribution helps ensure that the arts continue to inspire, educate, and enrich generations throughout Central Louisiana.

This October, dare to stay after closing.

www.riveroaksartscenter.com

What: Van Gogh Gala 2026 - Midnight at the Met - Haunt Couture
When: Saturday, October 24th — 7 pm - until
Where: River Oaks Square Arts Center
Tickets: $70 per person / Reserved Tables $750 (seats ten/limited)
Sponsored by:
Rapides Regional Medical Center
Red River Bank
Explore Alexandria Pineville CVB
Southern Heritage Bank

Tickets go on sale September 23 via board members and the River Oaks office!

River Oaks Square Arts Center

It’s Van Gogh Gala Inspo Saturday! 🖤🤍🕰️✨🌙👠🎩 River Oaks Square Arts Center
09/05/2026

It’s Van Gogh Gala Inspo Saturday! 🖤🤍🕰️✨🌙👠🎩 River Oaks Square Arts Center

🎨 SATURDAY SPOTLIGHT 🎨Sooooo - WHAT do we have here?!?!?!Let me venture a guess… one of our tenured resident artists...
09/05/2026

🎨 SATURDAY SPOTLIGHT 🎨

Sooooo - WHAT do we have here?!?!?!
Let me venture a guess… one of our tenured resident artists (Janet Ahrens) gearing up for one of the big upcoming events. This pic is likely a glimpse of what’s being produced for the annual Porch Sale in December (YES - they really do begin production this far out!) And before that - there’s this other “lil”😜 event in October - the annual Van Gogh Gala. So all around the art center you’ll find evidence that things have ramped up considerably. Let this be your reminder that there’s lots of good reasons to be paying attention to River Oaks this next quarter.

Saturday hours: 10a-2p
Tuesday- Friday: 10a-4p



☀️ SATURDAY SPOTLIGHT ☀️“Reflections of Home” by Broussard-based artist Kip Hayes is an amazing exhibit the captures...
08/29/2026

☀️ SATURDAY SPOTLIGHT ☀️

“Reflections of Home” by Broussard-based artist Kip Hayes is an amazing exhibit the captures and honors nostalgic images from Louisiana’s rich cultural heritage. Subject matter for this exhibit include iconic scenes of barns, bayous, sugar cane fields and country roads - each captured in an expressive manner - rich with texture. The Opening Reception for the exhibit was this past Thursday, but the show will be up for viewing through October 10, 2026. Make plans to stop in and check it out!

Saturday hours: 10a-2p
Tuesday- Friday: 10a-4p



08/29/2026

♥️

River Oaks Explores Home, Memory, and Place in New Fall ExhibitionsBeginning tonight, August 27, the galleries will feat...
08/27/2026

River Oaks Explores Home, Memory, and Place in New Fall Exhibitions

Beginning tonight, August 27, the galleries will feature Reflections of Home by Larry “Kip” Hayes in the Bolton-Davis Gallery, Through the Cypress Veil by Leah Morace in the Galerie des Amis, and The Shape of Place: Childhood Memories by Katy Keppinger Arbour in the Stokes-Harris Gallery. Though each artist works from a distinct perspective, all three exhibitions share a deep connection to Louisiana and the powerful sense of place found throughout the region.

The fall exhibitions will be on display from August 27 through October 10, 2026, with an opening reception scheduled for Thursday, August 27, from 5-7 p.m. The opening reception is free and open to the public. The exhibitions and reception are sponsored by Explore Alexandria Pineville CVB, the City of Alexandria, Hotel Bentley, the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development, Red River Bank, Cleco, The Bentley Room, The Mirror Room, RoyOMartin, Legacy Floral Designs, and Diamond Grill.
Leah Morace

Address

1330 Second Street
Alexandria, LA
71301

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 2pm

Telephone

+13184732670

Website

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