Toledo Bend Lake Association

BASS UNLIMITED

POSTERS

2012 Bass Unlimited Poster

Elaine McCoy Echels, an imaginative artist, driven by an incredible passion for self-expression through art, has been commissioned to create the 2012 Bass Unlimited Poster for the Toledo Bend Lake Association. Artist Echels’ works are often noted for their unique style, elegance, and technique. Her use of vibrant colors and strong lines make her work an excellent choice for a wide range of projects and purposes, particularly the 10th annual BU Poster.

Elaine is accomplished in using traditional methods as well as modern technique. Her paintings have received awards in Juried competition in regional art shows and have been displayed at the famous Natchitoches Art Guild and Gallery of which she is a member. Her most recent awards include winning first place in oil/acrylics and People’s Choice Award at the Natchitoches Art Guild and Gallery Art Show. She recently painted two of the giant fiberglass fish replicas now displayed around Sabine Parish and the Toledo Bend Lake area.

The 2012 Bass Unlimited Poster can now be ordered for $20.00 each. They will be available for pick up at the 2012 Poster Unveiling to be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 7 at Cypress Bend Resort, Many, Louisiana. If you wish to have your poster mailed, it will be available for shipping after the Unveiling for an additional $8.00. Please allow 30 days from April 7 for shipping. See section on “How to order posters” at the bottom of this script.

History of Bass Unlimited Posters

Associated with the Bass Unlimited Banquet, each year since 2003, the Toledo Bend Lake Association has a theme painting commissioned by a local artist. Copies of this art work are printed in poster form and sold to raise money for TBLA projects. These posters are available for purchase at the Annual Poster Unveiling Gala, at the Bass Unlimited Banquet, at our regular meetings, and by mail order.

In 2006, Ben & Myra Smith, perennial poster coordinators, asked the TBLA board to provide a special unveiling gala and auction for these special works of art. They also proposed that we invite special guests from throughout the state as well as TBLA members and the public. The board agreed and the poster unveiling and auction gala has become a part of the Bass Unlimited Banquet funding raising activity.

The initial Gala took place on Thursday, May 4, 2006 at the Zwolle-Toledo Lions Club facility. It replaced our regularly scheduled membership meeting. The painting, "Fishing with Grandpa" was done by Linda Henson. Also on hand were other works of art donated as auction items by the 3 previous year's poster artists. John Curtis of Big Star was the high bidder for the #1 autographed poster print at $1,125. The original oil painting was won by Buddy Gillis of Rose-Neath Funeral Home with a winning bid of $1,150. This was a very successful event as it raised a substantial amount of money.

In 2007 the Poster Unveiling Gala was held Thursday, May 3rd at the Zwolle-Toledo Lions Club. Over 75 people showed up. The artist was our own TBLA member JoAnn Cason and the name of her painting was "Get the Net". The #1 autographed poster was auctioned off for $1,300 to Hayden and Kris White and the oil painting was auctioned off to Mike and Barbara Davis.

Local artist Judy Wong painted the original for the 2008 Bass Unlimited poster which was unveiled on April 3. The painting was sponsored by Judy Cathey, owner of Toledo Town Realty. An added bonus for Bass Unlimited was when TBLA member Wong won the Women's Bassmaster Tour Championship only weeks before our events. A March 25th visit with President Bush in the Oval Office allowed Judy to present him with a framed copy of the TBLA Bass Unlimited Poster. What an honor for Judy Wong, Judy Cathey and for TBLA!

Danny Fontenot outbid the competition for Judy's original painting, entitled "Bass Wishes." He went home with the painting after parting with $5,000, the most anyone has yet bid for a Bass Unlimited painting. The #1 poster was purchased by Barbara Monlezun for $2,000. Previous year's poster artists JoAnn Cason and Linda Hensen also donated paintings which were auctioned at the poster unveiling. We're blessed with a talented group of artists and a generous group of patrons.

For 2009 a very talented local artist, Jackie Louviere, painted the original for the Bass Unlimited poster which was unveiled at the Grand Ballroom at Cypress Bend Resort on April 2nd. The poster was sponsored by Cypress Bend Resort and Ron Gwin, Manager of the resort. Special thanks to the Poster Unveiling Sponsors: The Town of Many, Cypress Bend Resort and Nichols, Inc.

Ronnie Murphy of Murphy Holding in Houston outbid the competition for Jackie Louviere's original painting, entitled “The Great Fisherman.” The number one poster was purchased by Mayor Ken Freeman for the Town of Many. Previous year's poster artists Ron Rice, Judy Wong and JoAnn Cason also donated paintings which were auctioned at the unveiling. Toledo Bend was again blessed with a talented colony of artists and a generous group of patrons.

Becky Roy, Art Teacher at the Natchitoches Magnet School, was the 2010 Bass Unlimited Poster Artist. Her original drawing, “Glory on the Bend,” from which the poster was created brought in big bucks for the Toledo Bend Lake Association's annual fund raiser. The unveiling and auction had multiple supporters: Gold Level - Sabine Medical Center; The Town of Many; and Cypress Bend Resort; Silver Level - Leah V. Byles, DDS; Myrtis Mueller Realty, Agent Jeff Pitre, Lake Charles; Warren Meadows Funeral Home; and Buddy Wood, Agent, State Farm Insurance; and Bronze Level - Margaret Zammit, In-Style Hair Designs and Bobby Rhyne, B & B Storage.

The Cypress Bend Resort ballroom was decorated for the Unveiling by Debbie Nichols, owner of Nichols, Inc., and her talented merchandise display associate, Lauren Moore. Beautiful floral arrangement adorned the tables with some Lake/fish décor as well as fleurs-de-lis. Nichols also had the Poster Unveiling programs printed in color for the second year.

The original Prisma Color Pencil Drawing went to the highest bidders, Ronnie Murphy of American Fire and Safety and his friend, Charlie Kilgore, of Kilgore Marine, for $2,000. Paula Pearson, neighbor and childhood friend of Artist Roy was bidding her heart out on the original art but threw in the towel when the bid went above $1,700. Mr. Murphy and Mr. Kilgore learned that the drawing has sentimental value to Mrs. Pearson. The main component of the drawing was an antique sink which serves as a fish cleaning station on the Pearson's boat dock. The sink originally was Paula's grandmother's kitchen sink in her South Louisiana home. Artist Roy was not aware of that connection. When Murphy and Kilgore learned that the drawing had so much emotional meaning to Paula, they graciously gave her the drawing. There were few dry eyes in the audience when this was announced.

Mr. John Curtis, owner of Big Star Supermarkets, made the last bid of $850 for the numbered one, signed and framed poster, “Glory on the Bend.” Past artists Jackie Louviere and Judy Wong, also donated a piece of their art for auction at the Event. Without a doubt the evening would not have been the success it was without the support of all our members and guests.

Keatchi, Lousiana artist Don Edwards was commissioned to create the 2011 Bass Unlimited Poster titled “Toledo Trophy.” Among artists Edwards honors are: Designing the 1981 Louisiana Wild Turkey Federation stamp and print program. He had the honor of presenting this print to President Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office at the White House. In 1987 he was the Artist of the Year for Ducks Unlimited of Louisiana. Mr. Edwards was the Artist of the Year for the Louisiana Wild Turkey Federation for their 10th anniversary stamp and print program in 1990. During 1994 -1995 he was named Artist of the Year for the Louisiana Duck Stamp Design. More recently, in 2006 Artist Edwards designed the 25th Anniversary Louisiana Turkey Stamp.

Phyllis Murdock placed the winning bid of $1,900 for the original painting. Ken Freeman, Mayor of Many, was the winning bidder ($500) on the poster numbered one. Mitzie Galligan was highest bidder at $375 for Artist Becky Roy’s original Prisma Color Pencil Drawing, “Early Birds and Blooms” and Artist Jackie Louviere donated an original oil painting, “Old Friends” won by John Curtis for $275.

The ballroom at Cypress Bend was decorated for the event by Debbie Nichols, owner of Nichols, Inc., and her talented staff. Beautiful floral arrangements adorned with dogwood branches and fish nets decorated the tables. Ms. Nichols was also responsible for providing beautiful color Poster Unveiling programs.

Lastly our hats off to Ben & Myra Smith as the Gala & Poster coordinators, great job!

How to order posters:

The 2012 poster ($20.00) can be prepaid for at this time by using the Poster Order Form referenced below.

There are still posters available from 2003, 2004, 2005, 2009 and 2010. The 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2011 posters are sold out. However, fourteen 2011 artist’s proofs are available for $40.00.

Previous year’s posters are $15.00 each plus an additional $8.00 for shipping and handling regardless of the number of posters ordered.

The cost of the 2012 poster is $20.00, plus $8.00 for shipping and handling. A single previous year’s poster cost $23.00 per poster including shipping and handling. If you order more than one poster add $15.00 for each additional poster and they will be included in the one-time $8.00 shipping and handling fee.

Send a check or money order made payable to:

Bass Unlimited of TBLA
Poster Coordinator
P.O. Box 1031
Many, LA 71449

Please be sure to enclose your return address .

CLICK HERE for Poster Order Form

TBLA President Jack Vermeire & 2006 Poster Sponsor Debbie Nichols