RESERVE – Richard Nolan Boneno taught the first scheduled art class in the St. John the Baptist Parish School System inside a Leon Godchaux High School classroom in 1954. Boneno passed away on March 8, 2024 at 99 years old, leaving behind a legacy that impacted generations of young artists in St. John Parish.
During the month of December, St. John the Baptist Parish Library is presenting an art exhibition of 55 original pieces from Boneno’s career inside the 1885 House gallery space at the Leroy D. Williams Memorial Library, located at 1482 Highway 44 in Reserve.
Brooke Cantrelle, spokesperson for St. John the Baptist Parish Library, said patrons who visit the Reserve Branch can speak to a staff member at the circulation desk and request to access the exhibition any time the library is open from December 9-30.
Branch hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The artwork will not be available for viewing on Sundays or from December 24-25.
“We anticipate this will be the first of many opportunities to utilize the gallery space in the Library’s 1885 House as we seek to expand our arts and cultural programming,” Cantrelle said.
A native of Garyville, Boneno was a World War II veteran, beloved educator, and an extensive world traveler. He obtained a master’s in art education from LSU before working in the art department of Colorado University and spending three summer sessions with Louisiana Tech in Italy.
After arriving at Leon Godchaux in 1954, Boneno joined the Carnival Ball Committee and designed beautiful backdrops for the annual event. In the aftermath of the fire that destroyed Leon Godchaux, Boneno taught at East St. John High School until his retirement.
Boneno’s artwork utilized various mediums in accordance with what he was teaching his students at the time, including pencil, charcoal, India ink, crayon, tempera, acrylics, watercolor, and oils. He painted on burlap, plywood/Masonite hardboard, canvas, paper, wood panels, and other materials.
Boneno also created pieces in paper-mâché and sculpture. He had a passion for travel photography and enjoyed documenting his ventures into Europe, Africa, South America, Japan, and Egypt, among other destinations.
The Richard Boneno Art Exhibition is being coordinated by the Honorable Judge Sterling Snowdy with support from Bill Hodges, Boneno’s executor and longtime friend/caretaker.
Snowdy first met Boneno when he was 5 years old. His parents worked as English teachers at Leon Godchaux while Boneno taught art classes. The families stayed in contact for many years, with Snowdy continuing to visit Boneno after his retirement.
Snowdy believes Boneno never received the level of recognition he deserved as a local artist. In the years prior to Boneno’s passing, Snowdy often suggested holding a show to share his artwork with the community.
“Being a very humble man, he always declined,” Snowdy said. “I think his work was underappreciated. He was such a humble man that he didn’t go out and publicize himself much.”
With the collection set to be divided amongst heirs and buyers in early 2025, Snowdy knew it was now or never.
“I thought this was a wonderful way to honor his legacy,” he said.
For more information, contact the Leroy D. Williams Memorial Library at 985-536-4107.