Photographer explores fabric of life with cloth collection at arts center

Bringing together people of various backgrounds is what artist John Broussard hopes to accomplish with "Mama's Fabric," his latest exhibit at the West Las Vegas Arts Center, 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd.

Broussard's collection includes photographs from people throughout the country that best depict their lives, mixed in with fabrics from Beatrice Dixon, his late mother-in-law, who used to sew together quilts.

Broussard said the idea of "Mama's Fabric" centers around Dixon, who was a community activist and a friend to people of all backgrounds.

"I always had a passion to put together an exhibit that shows how Americans live," Broussard said. "I had all of (Dixon's) fabrics in my garage and had the concept for the exhibit. She had a diverse set of friends and she really loved people, and I think the exhibit shows that."

Lisa Russell, West Las Vegas Arts Center cultural leader, said she chose to showcase Broussard's latest exhibit, which is set to be on display through May 5, because it aligns with upcoming cultural events, such as Black History Month in February and Women's History Month in March. The content of the photographs, Russell said, was also a deciding factor.

"The interest (lay) in the variety of people he had in the photos and the history behind them," Russell said. "He shows this diverse, cultural background of these individuals who have this history and (description) of how they feel about being an American."

Russell said museum visitors seem to enjoy reading the narratives with each photograph, which provides a history and description of the people and how it ties into the fabrics on display.

Broussard said the biographies displayed with each photograph provide the best description of the exhibit's theme.

"My No. 1 focus is love," Broussard said. "I hope people will stop and take a moment to read the biography under each image because it shows how all of the people from each photo love their country in their own way."

What Broussard learned most from the subjects in the photographs, he said, is how common threads connect them and others throughout the country.

"I learned from talking to people that our backgrounds are the same," Broussard said. "That's our problem as Americans. We don't take the time to talk to each other anymore. I hope ('Mama's Fabric') shows we're all humans, all Americans, and opens up conversations about diversity."

The West Las Vegas Arts Center plans to host a meet-the-artist reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday . The exhibit is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday to Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 229-4800 or visit artslasvegas.org.

Contact Paradise/Downtown View reporter Lisa Carter at lcarter@viewnews.com or 383-4686.