SAAC presents “For the JOY of Living,” an imaginative and interactive exhibition by longtime SAAC member and Creative, Cherie Bright, alongside “Naturally Abstract,” a vibrant new body of work by her sister, Cindy Magee, a visual artist based in Shreveport and Bossier City, Louisiana. Both exhibitions will be on view November 3 through December 16, with an artists’ reception open to the public on Thursday, November 13, from 5:30–7:00pm.
Cheri Bright, who has been part of the SAAC family for over 14 years, describes her work as an exploration of joy, happiness, reflection, and fun. “I don’t consider myself an artist in the traditional sense. I am a Creative. I create from imagination, dreams, and life experiences. My work is about telling stories, evoking feelings, and inviting viewers to participate. This exhibition is not just about my creations—it is completed by the people who experience it,” she shared.
Visitors will enter “For the JOY of Living” in the Merkle Gallery through a large flower tent, flanked by interactive flower puffs designed to be touched and explored. Inside, they’ll discover a colorful array of hand-beaded wire and acrylic works, immersive installations, and playful interactive pieces that invite joy and reflection. A Christmas geometric selfie wall and angel section bring a touch of the holidays, while a floral corner and cozy reading area beneath a giant flower invite visitors to pause and connect. The exhibition also includes a vintage section that traces Bright’s creative journey through earlier and contemporary works.
Adding to the celebration, “For the JOY of Living” coincides with Cindy Magee’s solo exhibition, “Naturally Abstract,” on view in SAAC’s Price Gallery. “It’s such a joy to be showing with my sister,” Bright said. “Her exploration of the colors and patterns of nature complements my own work beautifully, and together our exhibits create a vibrant dialogue.”
Visit Cherie’s Instagram Page – @cbright123art
Cindy Magee is a dynamic visual artist whose practice spans oil and acrylic painting, intricate mixed-media collage, immersive installations, and large-scale murals. Her signature style fuses everyday materials—magazine clippings, printed photographs, paint, glue, and even bullet casings—into richly layered compositions that explore resilience, identity, and defiance.
Her newest collection, “Naturally Abstract,” turns its gaze toward the microscopic wonders of nature. Using magnified imagery of butterfly wings, beetles, flowers, and other organic forms, Magee translates the unseen intricacies of creation into vivid, textural abstractions. “What God has given us through the building blocks of life is amazing,” she reflects. The exhibition continues her commitment to blending art, faith, and curiosity in ways that challenge and inspire.
A longtime force in the Shreveport arts community, Magee’s past work has tackled subjects ranging from veterans’ resilience to the digital age, and the intersection of music and emotion. Through both her art and curatorial projects, she fosters creative dialogue that resonates deeply within the contemporary Southern art scene.
Together, the sisters’ exhibitions reflect two sides of creative expression—Cherie’s celebration of joy and connection, and Cindy’s exploration of the hidden structures that shape the world around us.
Both exhibitions will be on view during regular gallery hours, Monday through Friday, 9am–5pm. Admission is free.
