CHARLOTTE LOWRY-COLLINS  |  Contributing Writer - "Extraordinary Slidell Neighbors"

The starting push of each Slidell Magazine is our Extraordinary Slidell Neighbors. We believe that everyone has a fascinating story to tell and no one is better at telling that story than our amazing biographical literary artist, Charlotte Lowry Collins.

Charlotte has created art from the day her hand could grasp a tool - from a pen to scratch through the wood finish on tables, to more appropriate traditional writing and art tools. Her sojourn with expression and documentation has run the entire gamut of mediums, and luckily, there are still new possibilities for her to explore.

As a child, she created her own newspapers, full of articles, cartoons, brain puzzles, and illustrations. After being taught poetry in school, she began writing poetry, even winning awards. All along, she created art in any media to which she had access to the equipment. When it comes to creative expression, she does not prevision boundaries in medium or in methods of communication.

Throughout her professional career, one thread is visible, that of intertwining the arts to not only educate our community, but to enlighten and elevate them even if for a few hours. Her college studies began with Journalism, but the access to the arts labs and equipment eventually won out. She earned a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from Memphis College of Art. As a college professor, her articles were published internationally, and she traveled to give presentations on art history and arts education. Charlotte has also been fortunate enough to teach abroad. But there’s no place like home; which for her, is the bayou country of Slidell.

Her passion for our community, the arts and for education extends into her personal life. She has worked as the Director of Non-Credit Programs for Southeastern Louisiana University which gave her the chance to bring a range of educational opportunities to the community for all ages. In her off hours, she is also the Director for the Olde Towne Arts Center, bringing exposure to the community for new forms of art, as well as local favorites. She founded the Krewe of Mona Lisa and MoonPie in the 80’s, to bring appreciation for the arts and Olde Towne, and she and her husband Tom serve on the board to this day.

Her writing and photography for Slidell Magazine bring all of her interests back full circle, back to her early days when she had a heavy portable typewriter and huge Sony 35mm camera. Her art is always about the human condition, no matter the format.

Charlotte says, “I hope my articles give you an endearing look into the wonderful people that make up our amazing community, and I am forever grateful to Kendra for producing this magazine, and including me, considering the great writers she has on her team. I am dedicated to my loving family, and grateful they all love home so much that they are still part of this area.”