Gallery San Souci is home to the Louisiana Crafts Guild. There you'll find great works of metal, glass, pottery and more.

• December 10: Second Saturday ArtWalk at Gallery San Souci in Lafayette — If you've never visited San Souci (one of the destinations on the Art Trail) you're missing out on one of Acadiana's largest collection of local masterpieces. You'll find jewelry, stained glass, pottery, metal art and more. It's a great place to buy someone a truly one-of-a-kind gift ... and Author Kelli Foret will be there Saturday on one of their busiest nights. Join her during ArtWalk, Downtown Lafayette's monthly art festival, starting at 6:30 p.m. (http://www.louisianacrafts.org/partner-gallery/view/2)
• December 11: Market Monday at Le Village in Eunice — Look for the giant metal rooster! That's how you'll spot the road to Le Village, just off Highway 13, south of Eunice. Hidden in the woods is the old Chappel store, a treasure chest of local art and antiques. This is a special Market Monday, extended two days to include Sunday in response to a busy Christmas season. Signing starts at 2:00. (http://levillagehouse.com/)
• December 12: The Depot in Abbeville — The Depot (at Magdalen Place) is one of Abbeville's must-see museums and gift shops. Kelli will be signing her book from 4:00 to 7:00 on Monday, December 12. (http://www.magdalenplace.com/)

Jim Horan's business planning books are consistent favorites with the world's most successful executives.

Brent presented for about 30 minutes and then we had an active Q&A session.  Many people wrote in after the call to say how helpful it was and that Brent's ideas on how to become smart about giving were truly unique, practical and something they were going act on immediately.

— Jim Horan, President

Jim's calls attract a large crowd who were receptive to Brent's concept of giving to grow your business. It was the perfect kickoff to the giving season. After all, what better gift to give your clients than more business?

• To hear the session yourself, click here: http://www.audioacrobat.com/play/WvZkGnFW 
• Jim Horan's One Page Business Plan model is the perfect tool to kick off your new year planning. Find more information at: http://www.onepagebusinessplan.com/about.html
• Order a copy of The neXus Initiative as a gift for clients from Amazon.com (also on iPad and Kindle)

• New! December 2: The FrameShop Gallery 912 — The FrameShop Gallery 912 was featured in The Acadiana Art Trail and provides a constantly rotating display of exceptional local art. (Currently they're featureing print makers.) Kelli will be there from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in conjunction with the Oil Center's Festival of Lights, a lively holiday street fair. (http://gallery912.com/)
• December 3: Fire & Water in Arnaudville — One of Acadiana's fastest growing local art festivals is Fire & Water, a mecca for all things local. Kelli will have a booth, books and a collection of her own art, some of which was featured in her book. (http://fireandwater.homestead.com/)
• December 11: Market Monday at Le Village in Eunice — Look for the giant metal rooster! That's how you'll spot the road to Le Village, just off Highway 13, south of Eunice. Hidden in the woods is the old Chappel store, a treasure chest of local art and antiques. This is a special Market Monday, extended two days to include Sunday in response to a busy Christmas season. Signing starts at 2:00. (http://levillagehouse.com/)

More events are in the works. You can find out future dates here and at ArtTrailLady.com. To find out where you can find a copy of the book, click on the Where to Find Our Books link to the right.

• Nov. 26: Fly's Coffee House in Downtown Breaux Bridge — Join Kelli for Breaux Bridge's annual kickoff of the Christmas season. You'll find many of the galleries in Kelli's book in walking distance from the author, who will be signing the Art Trail at Fly's from 11:00 a.m. to mid afternoon.
• Nov. 26: Casa Azul in Downtown Grand Coteau — At 3:00 in the afternoon Kelli joins Patrice Melnick at her ecclectic-cool cultural shop, Casa Azul, for Grand Coteau's annual Grand Noel celebration. 
• December 3: Fire & Water in Arnaudville — One of Acadiana's fastest growing local art festivals is Fire & Water, a mecca for all things local. Kelli will have a booth, books and a collection of her own art, some of which was featured in her book.
• December 11: Market Monday at Le Village in Eunice — Look for the giant metal rooster! That's how you'll spot the road to Le Village, just off Highway 13, south of Eunice. Hidden in the woods is the old Chappel store, a treasure chest of local art and antiques. This is a special Market Monday, extended two days to include Sunday in response to a busy Christmas season. Signing starts at 2:00.

More events are in the works. You can find out future dates here and at ArtTrailLady.com. 

NEW IBERIA — Author Kelli Foret will be signing her new book The Acadiana Art Trail: The essential guide to finding local art in Cajun Country. this Saturday, October 29 at A&E Gallery in New Iberia from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A&E is one of over 30 galleries featured in the new book which guides readers through five parishes to venues that feature local artists. 

“A&E is one of those amazing places where you can take in great local art and watch it being made at the same time,” said Foret, who grew up in New Iberia. “It’s nice to return to the place where I grew up and find a truly vibrant, growing local art community. I want more people to know about it.”

Her book, The Acadiana Art Trail, does just that. Readers can follow all six trails winding through five parishes. Many of the galleries might be considered “mainstream,” yet several may surprise you. “In smaller communities, some galleries find it difficult to exist purely from the sale of art,” Foret said. “So many of them double as coffee shops, communities for art lessons, frame shops, restaurants and more.”

Foret’s descriptions of each location are complimented by the vivid photography of Lauren Hensgens, also a New Iberia native. Hensgens’ work offers readers a glimpse of the art they’ll find at each gallery. They’ll find great close-ups of Paul Schexnayder’s latest collection plus a range of modern and classic work throughout the area. It’s a visual and virtual tour to some of Acadiana’s greatest talent.

The 70-page, large format, color guide is only available at select signing events like this one. In early November, the book will be available at the featured galleries and, by late November, readers will be able to find the book from several online retailers. For more information, follow the author as she continues her discovery of new artists and venues through her blog, ArtTrailLady.com. To learn more about the book and where you can purchase a copy, visit CorvusPress.com.

The new book will be available in galleries throughout the area and book signings will be announced next week.

The 70-page, large format, color guide is filled with over 30 must-see galleries in five parishes, a compendium of venues for art enthusiasts to view and purchase original, locally-made paintings, sculpture and more.

“When I travel, I search out local artists as a way of getting to know that community,” said Foret, a native of Lafayette. “I wanted to write a book that helps people do the same thing in Acadiana. As a local, it immerses you in the growing local art scene. As a traveler, it gives you access to mainstream locations plus smaller galleries you might otherwise miss.”

The Acadiana Art Trail is actually composed of six trails winding through five parishes. Many of the galleries might be considered “mainstream,” yet several may surprise you. The “Teche Trail,” for example, introduces readers to commonly-known locales like Café des Amis, where you’ll find work by local painter (and waitress) Logan Berard. It also points readers to Corner Bar Poor-Boys to see works by Boogie Hebert and his father, legendary painter Earl Hebert.

“In smaller communities, galleries find it difficult to exist purely from the sale of art,” Foret said. “So many of them double as coffee shops, frame shops, restaurants and more. Even a farm.”

Foret’s descriptions of each location are complimented by the vivid photography of Lauren Hensgens who offers readers a glimpse of what they’ll find at Kelly Guidry’s “private” gallery, Paul Schexnayder’s latest collection, a range of modern and classic work in Arnaudville and incredible still life in Gueydan. It’s a visual and virtual tour to some of Acadiana’s greatest talent.

Readers can follow the author as she continues her discovery of new artists and venues through her blog, ArtTrailLady.com. To learn more about the book and where you can purchase a copy, click here.

Please join us next week at Festival Acadien et Creole where Author Kelli Foret and Photographer Lauren Hensgens will be signing their new book. They'll also be joined by Authors Jane Blunschi, Lila Fox, Brent Henley and several special guests, including artists and those featured in their books.

Simply make your way to the festival (at Girard Park in Lafayette, LA), locate the art booths and you'll find the Corvus Press tent. We can't think of a better reason to get out next weekend.

Thank you for understanding this inconvenience and we hope to see you at the festival.

Foret makes notes on the porch of Rue du Pont, one of over 30 galleries she recommends in her new book.

"Lots of people want to see authentic, local art in this area, but many people simply don't know where to find it," said Foret. "This book makes it easy to take a day trip to places you may have never considered and find a wealth of local art."

Foret will be signing books at a special release event at the Acadiana Center for the Arts on October 8 in the Coca-Cola Loft. The event coincides with downtown Lafayette's Second Saturday Artwalk. Join Foret, photographer Lauren Hensgens, several artists and gallery owners for the much anticipated release of this new travel book.

• Book Signing: The Acadiana Art Trail
• Location: Acadiana Center for the Arts — Coca-Cola Loft
• Date: October 8, 2011
• Time: 6:30 p.m.