You can always go downtown

• By ROXANNE C. HARE
• Special sections editor
• Published: Jun 14, 2009

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On any given day in downtown Donaldsonville, there is much to satisfy the senses: food to eat, areas to stroll, history to learn, music to hear and artwork to see. The good thing about this quaint city – on La. 1 south of the interstate, between Baton Rouge and New Orleans – is that no special occasion is necessary to indulge in the city’s charms.

Recently, the city has put its efforts into beautifying the downtown area. Buildings are being restored, and surfaces are being repaved along the main drag, historic Railroad Avenue, which is home to more than 600 buildings. John Rodgers, who heads the city’s Downtown Development District, said state funds – some of which come in the form of matching façade grants – are making that possible.

“Our biggest push in the past year has been clearing up the appearance of downtown to attract new businesses,” Rodgers said. “We’ve had quite a few beautification projects.”

One of those new businesses combines all of the above-mentioned characteristics. The Art Bank will soon be a gallery and educational center in a building that once housed an old bank. Terry Farrell, a former California resident with family ties to Louisiana, runs the establishment and has big plans for its future.

The gallery was the center of an “Art on the Avenue” event earlier this spring. It featured live music and involved many downtown eateries, giving local artists a chance to publicly showcase their work.

Farrell said she wants to repeat the experience, hopefully in October, and then add more events and openings.

“The gallery will have regular receptions and shows. The concept is a wealth of art and education for our community,” Farrell said. Part of that will include giving local and even national artists exposure.

Farrell, an artist who mainly uses acrylic paint, also will teach art classes to all ages, from children to senior citizens.

The first group enrolled will be sponsored by Grapevine Café & Gallery.

Such support is something Farrell says she appreciates.

“I see this little community that I’ve fallen in love with … its historical street, the fact that it has so much potential – there are so many creative people in the area,” she said. “I want to see the place grow as a small art Mecca. I’d like to see a few more artists in the area.”

This is a sentiment Cynthia Schneider, owner of the Grapevine (along with her husband, Steve), shares.

“We’re so thrilled to have her energy here,” Schneider said of Farrell. “She’s a great teacher. The best thing was to give her the opportunity to get those classes under way.”