The Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge held its annual meeting and reception at Taylor Porter on May 26. Members pictured include, front from left, George Bell, Executive Director Renee Chatelain, Nancy Stich, Randy Roussel and Brian Haymon; and back, from left, President Scott Hensgens and Rose Hudson.

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The Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge held its annual meeting and reception at the Taylor Porter office on May 26, and the event was featured in "Pam's Party Line" in The Advocate in which Pam Bordelon highlights several of the community events that take place each week in Baton Rouge.

Bordelon wrote: "Outgoing Chairman Brian Haymon happily turned over the gavel to his successor, Scott Hensgens, who was joined by his fellow 2016-2017 officers, Vice Chairwoman Nancy Stich, Secretary Randy Roussel, Treasurer George Bell and Executive Committee members-at-large Rose Hudson, Scott Ritter and Bryan Fontenot. Haymon continues to serve as immediate past chairman.

Elected as new members to the board were Suzanne Marquette, Robyn Merrick, Derek Fitch, Melissa Cresson, Monique Scott Spalding, Cary Koch and Mikki Matthews. Thanked for their service were outgoing board members Yolanda Dixon, Emelie Alton and Dede Ferrara. They were given paintings by artist Hannah Lemoine.

As one of his first official acts, Hensgens asked for a moment of silence for four members of the Arts Council family who passed away since the last meeting. They included Rita Dufour, Cheney Joseph, Arthur Rush Newman and Mary Frey Eaton. In fact, Eaton’s visitation was going on at the exact same time as the meeting, and more than a few of us went from one to the other.

The Arts Council was very special to “Mother Mary,” as she was affectionately called by so many of whom she mentored. It was at a Community Fund for the Arts Gala that I first crossed paths with her more than 20 years ago. For that encounter, I will always be grateful. We will you miss you, Mother Mary. Thank you for all you did for our community."

In 2016, Taylor Porter moved into its new space on the 8th, 9th and 10th floors of the North Tower of the Chase Building from the original Chase Building South Tower space. The move enabled Taylor Porter to modernize its offices with Coleman Partners, Cangelosi and Ward, and Ann Connelly Fine Art. Taylor Porter also renovated, furnished and landscaped, through Joseph Furr Design Studio Landscape Architects, the 8th Floor Terrace with a breathtaking view of the Capitol, River and downtown Baton Rouge area.