CAA’s annual July Luncheon presents the ‘Mad Hatters’

The Gallery recently held their annual July Luncheon on July 8. CAA members decided to add a sparkle to this years event by asking everyone to decorate a hat, and the beginning of the Mad Hatter’s Luncheon was upon them.

The luncheon was started with a opening prayer, eloquently said by Glenda Atkinson, over the beautiful meal of salads and desserts. Chosen as judge was Nichole Hollier, from the Classy Closet, who almost needed to be resuscitated by 911 from laughter, pulled herself together and was able to resumé her duties as their “distinguished” judge.

The first place winner was Robert Baxter with his extraordinary hat of straw. His straw Derby hat was beautifully decorated with flowers that surrounded an animatomic image of him painting at an easel, in a karate suit, and sound activated of course. The character would say, as he proceeded to throw punches, “Why do you always call me Grasshopper?”

Coming in at second was Jenny Deville who had a straw brimmed hat decorated with red, white and blue cords, along with attire that was thoroughly patriotic. In very good taste, it caught the eye of the judge as being more refined, unlike most of the other Mad Hatters participating.

Their third place winner was Brenella Joubert. She had a sewing theme hat that included every sewing notion known to man. They were attached in a way that only a professional seamstress would know to do.

And in fourth place was Virginia Duson looking like a representative from the Caladium Society. You could have thought she would have been impersonating the entire section of your local garden center. Not having to travel at all to retrieve the decor for her fabulous hat, it was adorned with leaves and flowers from her own award-winning yard.

Awarded as Most Creative was the hat assembled by the one and only Mr. Mack Money. Having waited for his name to be called as one of the winners and not hearing it, the Ninja fairy, which was the theme adorned on his hat, then threw down his cup in disbelief and proceeded to walk out of The Gallery. With laughter from all, Mack made his way back in and was shown admiration for his wonderful work. His hat was a screened picnic food saver topped with an animatomic martial arts character with blue butterfly wings set in the midst of a beautiful array of flowers. And of course it was also sound activated by clapping your hands. While not quiet looking anything like “Dirty Hairy”, the character would say, “Come on, make my day”.

Among the many imaginative Mad Hatter’s attending was Becky Faulk whose hat theme was straight from a gamblers anonymous meeting. Wearing a poker dealer’s visor which held a royal flush and revealing four deuces and a wild card in her front pocket, Becky was ready to say, “Show me the money”.

Glenda Atkinson was sporting a just making my way back from the French Quarter and headed for a cruise to the Caribbean look. Donned with her hand-painted hat with yellow flowers and an explicit red boa, Glenda was opting for a more subdued look, but not really fooling anyone. Glenda’s attire most definitely corresponded.

Just waking up from her July 4th party and still in full patriotic costume from the hat to the earrings, to the scarf and down to the socks was Mad Hatter Jean Oubre. Jean streamed in wearing yet another wonderful creation. It was her composure, not the heavy red, white and blue flowers on her hat, that caused her head to tilt to one side.

Peggy LeBlanc was quite nostalgic to say the least, marched in with her 1962 pep squad top hat in her class colors of green and gold. Being how things back in the day were a lot heavier and made to last, Peggy only wore her hat for the first 15 minutes and then proclaimed, “I’m done”.

Rita Cormier looked daring in a Harrell Hoffpauir design left over from the Kentucky Derby. His well-known turkey feather was replaced with one from a pheasant making it a one of a kind original.

Politely scuffing off the dirt from her shoes, recently acquired from a rodeo, Doris Rose Ross entered The Gallery. Riding in straight from the arena, Doris was stylish in her cowboy hat. She left everyone wondering what handsome stud she coaxed that hat off of!

Shirley Griffin, their thrifty president, strolled in with a Christain Dior outfit. Accessorized with a matching red bowed hat from The Classy Closet, she looked smashing.

C.A.A. poster winning child Crystal Morgan, honored all of her fellow Crowley Art Association artists by wearing a kiosk styled hat which was covered with each of their business cards. Maucho gracias was given to her from The Gallery for her advertising efforts.

It was obvious to all that Carolyn Johnson was trying to bribe the judge with her hat covered with gift cards. Oh, how it would have saddened the judge to find a zero balance on each of them. No harm was done with this simple game of “Fools gold”.

Andy Wright’s hat, an antique 40’s confection, illuminated her energy, just as it did when she was still working with these collectables.

Not letting Carolyn be the only contestant with bribery on her mind, Ruth Wright approach the judge with authentically “fake” million dollar bills attached to her hat. Yet again, the judge was faced with a broken heart. Not deterred easily, Ruth later tried to swindle a piece of art from The Gallery with the same authentically “fake” million dollar bills, but her bluff was yet called again.

Chloe Von, as always, was being her helpful self. Well aware of our ages and wanting to contribute to our memory needs, she came in with her hat topped in post-it notes. She did manage to leave with a few, despite the fact that we were all in need of more reminders. Many thanks were given to Chloe from all who attended.

Unaware that there was no category for the “Invisible adorned”, Hurley Gautreaux and Kathleen Marmino were recognized for the most “Unsighted” creations ever present at a Mad Hatter’s event.

During the business meeting that followed, a presentation was made to Dorris Rose Ross for all of her hard work as a member and secretary of the Crowley Art Association. It was announced that Dorris will soon be relocating to Kansas and members of the C.A.A. wanted to let her know they will all miss her dearly.

The Crowley Art Association meets on every second Tuesday of the month and welcomes the public to attend, but BEWARE as you never know when the Mad Hatters will promenade again.