Remember the photograph of Aunt Betty's surprised face when she opened that spectacular gift you gave her in 1978? Or the one of four generations of women gathered around the Christmas tree? Or little Bobby riding his brand new tricycle from Santa for the first time?

Those are the kinds of photographs The Walker Museum's Community Art Gallery is looking for in our first exhibit, 'Families At Christmas.' Selected photographs shared by Walker families will be displayed beginning December 5 when we kick off our wonderful Christmas celebration with a parade, tree lighting ceremony, community decorating contest awards and more.

Anyone can submit a photo for the exhibit. Here's how:

1. Collect your very best photo or photos [limit five per entry] from Christmas celebrations past.

2. Photographs must be no smaller than 4x6. Preferred sizes are 5x7s or 8x10s. No cutouts will be accepted.

3. Include your name and address on the back of each photograph to ensure they can be returned.

4. On a separate piece of paper, write the following information for each photograph: The name of the photographer, the approximate month and year the photograph was taken, the identification of each person in the photograph, and a very brief description of what is taking place in the photograph - including why it was such a memorable occasion.

5. Mail all materials to: The Walker Museum Community Art Gallery, Town of Walker Municipal Building, 10136 Florida Boulevard, Walker, LA 70785; drop them off at the Walker Municipal Building during business hours; or leave them in the night drop box. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you want your photographs returned via mail, please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope. Otherwise, you can retrieve them from the museum at your convenience during exhibit hours.

We will also accept digital photographs on a CD, but the written documentation [#4 above] must be included as well. These can be submitted as described in #5 above. Digital photographs must be high-resolution images of 300 dpi or greater so they will render well when printed.

We will also accept digital photographs via email, but again, the written documentation [#4 above] must be included as well. Digital photographs must be high-resolution images of 300 dpi or greater so they will render well when printed. Send them to: cityofwalker@live.com.

Deadline is noon on Nov. 20. Join us for our exhibit opening on December 5!

The Walker Museum in the Classroom

Teachers can use The Walker Museum as a learning tool in the classroom. We can arrange exclusive classroom tours by appointment. Speakers are also available to share Walker's history with your students. And we've created a "scavenger hunt" activity that can be used as homework or an extra-credit assignment as part of any lessons on Louisiana history. To read more, click here.

A community meeting place

The Walker Museum & Community Art Gallery has space available for small groups, clubs and organizations, classes or meetings to gather free of charge during the day or evenings when the facility is not in use. To book the museum, call 225-665-4356 during regular business hours Monday through Thursday.

On exhibit now

Through the end of April, our Community Art Gallery will feature award-winning Walker artist Patricia Delk's 'Scenes From A Country Life.' The collection features images of horses, mules, pioneers, cowboys and spring blooms in pencil, watercolor and acrylic. Delk's work has won several best-of-show and first-place awards from the Denham Springs Fine Arts Association, the Baton Rouge Fine Arts Academy and other competitions. Delk's exhibit opens Saturday, Feb. 26. The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.