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!

Summer Art Mini-Camps

We've added a series of Mini-Camps in July to our Summer Art Camps for Kids lineup. Children can learn how to make a puppet or draw and paint a picture, or they can celebrate Christmas in July while they create original tree ornaments. These one- or two-day camps are for children ages 6-10 and are quite affordable, at $15 per lesson. For a schedule and information on registration, click here.

Summer Arts Camps for Kids

Your children can create something special this summer. The City of Walker and The Walker Museum Community Art Gallery are offering Summer Art Camps for Kids in June and July. The affordable courses include painting, recycled art, mixed media, scrapbooking, photography, watercolor and drawing. For a schedule and information on registration, click here.

On exhibit now

If you're a fan of Ansel Adams and Art Wolfe, or if you have an interest in unique landscapes of diverse places, come experience the work of John Gallagher. The attorney/lobbyist and former staffer for U.S. Sen. John Breaux shares his images from travels throughout the United States and Europe, including Death Valley National Park, and the lands of the Navajo Indian Reservation in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah. He recently returned from a trek through the Atchafalaya Swamp under the guidance of C.C. Lockwood.