River Oaks Square Arts Center is kicking off 2026 with a dynamic new set of exhibitions that reflect what makes this creative corner of downtown Alexandria so special - nationally recognized artists, compelling resident work, and a growing community of makers learning and creating right here at River Oaks. Opening February 5, visitors will find three distinct shows across the galleries, each offering its own voice and energy while collectively celebrating process, place, and artistic growth.
In the Bolton-Davis Gallery, painter and educator Jimmy Leslie headlines the season with Between Simplicity and Structure: Landscapes. Leslie is a painter, former college art professor, and currently a Resident Artist for fine art brands Liquitex and Winsor & Newton. His paintings have been exhibited across the United States and are held in collections in the U.S., England, Wales, Australia, and Costa Rica. His work is grounded in a pursuit that is deceptively difficult: clarity. As Leslie puts it, “I am constantly trying to achieve simplicity in my paintings which continues to be a lifelong challenge.” That pursuit shapes both his paintings and his teaching, where he enjoys helping students overcome stumbling blocks through clear, practical instruction.
In the Galerie des Amis, River Oaks will feature resident artist Leslie Carmouche with her exhibition Marks of Becoming. Carmouche is a Louisiana-based artist and founder of LOCart, and her work explores emergence through layered abstraction - allowing subjects to develop organically rather than forcing them into a predetermined outcome. Marks of Becoming begins with abstract marks that create movement, atmosphere, and tone. From those evolving surfaces, subject matter slowly reveals itself: coastal and marshland forms, contemporary portraits, animals, and occasional florals surfaced through intuition rather than plan. Rooted in a Louisiana sense of place, the work reflects a quiet relationship with water, weather, and time. In Carmouche’s paintings, the background is not simply a setting - it’s an active force guiding what the piece becomes.
Meanwhile in the Stokes-Harris Gallery, River Oaks is proud to present the RoCK Lab Studios Intermediate Ceramic Artists Inaugural Art Exhibition, a juried showcase featuring work from the next wave of ceramic artists coming up through the River Oaks Clay + Kiln Lab. Over the past several months, these students have demonstrated consistency, integrity, and real growth in their craftsmanship - earning invitations into the Intermediate Ceramics program, which will include increased studio access, first-access invitations to skills classes, and opportunities for artist critiques. This inaugural exhibition is a meaningful moment for the program and for River Oaks as a whole, spotlighting emerging artists who are building their practice through discipline, curiosity, and the joy of making. The invited student artists, listed alphabetically, are:
Marsha Barbera
Brette Brian
Gary Dewitt
Margaret Deshotel
Jennifer Atwood
Shannon McClung
Rowdy McClung
Christine Perkins
Savannah Ross
Treasure Texada
Angela Winke
The RoCK Lab program is led by Amber Tate, Lead Educational Instructor for Ceramics, whose guidance and instruction have helped these students build confidence and momentum as artists.
“This is exactly what River Oaks is about,” says Executive Director Rachael Dauzat. “We’re proud to bring in artists like Jimmy Leslie who work and teach at the highest levels, while also showcasing the incredible talent we have right here at River Oaks - including our resident artists and our RoCK Lab ceramics students. It’s inspiring to see what happens when people are given space, instruction, and encouragement to grow. These exhibitions represent the full spectrum of our mission, and we can’t wait for the community to experience them.”
In addition to his featured exhibition, Jimmy Leslie will also lead a hands-on workshop through the EXPLORE ALEXANDRIA/PINEVILLE CVB Education Series titled Simplifying the Process: Paint Loosely with Gouache, taking place February 11 and 12. This class will focus on loosening up technique, simplifying decision-making, and learning how to stay engaged in the process without getting stuck on outcomes - a philosophy Leslie emphasizes in his own studio practice and teaching.
These exhibitions will be on display February 5 through April 4, 2026, with an Opening Reception on Thursday, February 5 from 5-7 pm. The opening reception is sponsored by Explore Alexandria/Pineville CVB, Hotel Bentley, Red River Bank, the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development, CLECO, RoyOMartin, The Bentley Room, The Mirror Room, Legacy Floral Designs, Diamond Grill and the City of Alexandria.
For more information about the exhibitions, the workshop, or upcoming events at River Oaks, call (318) 473-2670, visit RiverOaksArtsCenter.com, or follow River Oaks Arts Center on Facebook.
