A Dream Come True
- Jennifer Morgan
- Aug 31, 2025
- 10 min read
Updated: Sep 2, 2025
Check out this beautiful video created by the gallery of the exhibition: EXHIBITION VIDEO
What a whirlwind of a few days! We are home now from Shreveport and I am finally sitting down with my thoughts and laptop so I can recount all the emotions and experiences. So get comfy and prepare for a long read if you are interested in reading.
As most of you know, I really didn’t dive into the felting art form until recently, though I have a degree in art and have been a graphic designer for 35+ years. Although I took several fiber and textile classes in college, I didn’t return to fiber arts until 2021, when I joined a wet felting workshop taught by my friend Katie Gruntz at her sister’s shop, The Wild Osprey in Mandeville. I immediately fell in love with the process, but it wasn’t until the fall of 2025—when I began creating wet-felted Christmas gifts for my family—that I truly immersed myself in it. Since then, I’ve been hooked, continually expanding my skills and techniques through online learning and hands-on experimentation.
So when Emily Feazel, the Exhibit Curator at R.W. Norton Gallery in Shreveport, reached out to me via Facebook messenger, as I’m 100% positive she did to many artists, inviting me to submit my “Majestic Pelican’s Perch” piece to the juried call for art for their “New Orleans in Art: A Love Letter from the Crescent City” exhibition, I was genuinely touched and honored. She had seen my pelican piece in the “New Orleans Artists” Facebook group. Since I had only really shown my work on social media and at the Mandeville Artists Guild Art Markets thus far, I did not think of my work as being “gallery worthy” yet – though a huge goal for me.
Emily said we could submit up to two pieces of our work. I knew I would submit “Majestic Pelican’s Perch” but I wanted to submit a second piece. I had long envisioned making a piece honoring a Black Masking Indian, and this invitation gave me the perfect moment to bring that vision to life. The vibrant fibers, layered textures, and hand-embellished details of my felting process felt like a natural way to echo the brilliance, depth, and spirit of the suits themselves. I have always been fascinated by the mysteriousness of the Black Masking Indians. When you come across a tribe on the streets, it doesn’t feel like a performance—it feels like a ritual. The air changes. You pause, unsure whether you’re witnessing something offered or intruding on something sacred. You never quite know if the Big Chief and his tribe want you there or if you're simply lucky enough to have caught a glimpse. But one thing is certain: in that moment, you're witnessing something rare, powerful, and deeply meaningful—an experience that could only happen in New Orleans. I felt like my Indian would fit the theme for this show perfectly.
While creating BIG CHIEF, I knew he was something special. There was something in his eyes – a sense of strength and quiet authority. His face was relaxed but serious—suggesting a deep sense of pride, resilience, and presence. All of this evolved as I punched wool fiber into my felted background with my needle to bring him to life.
At 10am on July 23rd, I received an email from Emily Freazel saying “Congratulations! Your piece, BIG CHIEF, has been selected for inclusion in our New Orleans in Art: A Love Letter from the Crescent City exhibition.” My first “pinch me” moment of many happened in that instant. They had received 204 submissions and accepted artwork from 51 artists for the show. The first time my fiber art would hang in an art gallery. The show’s opening reception set for August 28th and the exhibition runs through November 23rd.
As the days went by, the gallery shared graphics promoting the show with many of the artworks that had been accepted. I mean I was already incredibly honored to have been accepted, but once I started seeing the images of the other pieces by very well established artists, I had serious imposter syndrome setting in. I was even more honored that BIG CHIEF was being used in a lot of the promotional graphics. I knew that didn’t insure I had award status – I mean I didn’t stand a chance with all of the amazing talent I was witnessing. But I knew at least whomever was creating the graphics liked BIG CHIEF.
On August 9th, my husband Michael and I drove up to Shreveport to deliver BIG CHIEF by hand as he was framed with glass and I didn’t want to risk shipping him. When we were admitted to the holding room for all of the exhibit’s art, we were able to see so many of the other pieces that had been accepted for the show. I was floored by the talent. Again, just completely honored to have the chance to hang amongst them. While at the gallery, Michael and I took the chance to tour its sprawling gallery show rooms – really more like a museum, but classified as a gallery because it’s where the Norton family houses and displays their massive and truly impressive private art collection.
I called my mom Peggy in NC and told her about our visit to Shreveport and how special the gallery was. I knew this exhibit and my experience with it was going to be a big deal for me and wanted her to experience it with me. My mother in-law Sally was already planning to attend the opening event. So we booked my mom’s flight and Michael and I booked 2 hotel rooms in Shreveport so we could all attend the opening reception on August 28th and stay a day extra to check out the town of Shreveport. As I talked about the exhibit and opening reception with friends, my fitness clients (and dear friends) Matt and Gerard Wimberly decided they’d attend as well!
My nerves started to set in a couple of days before the show. Not at all about whether I would win a prize or not because I am way out of my league - but because it was my first opportunity to rub elbows with so many artists and gallery owners that I had been admiring for so long. I saw it as my debut to the art world. Would I make a good impression? Would I insert my foot into my mouth and say something totally uncouth? Would my art hold its own amongst all the others that I revere so much?
My mom’s flight arrived the evening before the opening reception. Thursday morning, my mother in-law arrived to our house. We packed the car up – including my PRETTY IN PINK - SELF PORTRAIT which we were dropping off to the Natchitoches Art Guild and Gallery on the way for another exhibition where my art was invited to participate in. And we hit the road! We were on our way! My hands actually starting to tremble just a bit.
Once in Natchitoches, we dropped off my self portrait to the gallery and had the pleasure of talking to Mary Striegel, the curator of next juried exhibit I’d be participating in for a bit. Then we had lunch next door at Mayeaux’s Deli and Pub. My hands were trembling a bit more and I was starting to get giddy with excitement. This is getting real!
We arrived to our hotel about an hour and a half before the start of the opening reception…and the announcement on social media of the winners. After a room change, I proceeded to start getting ready for the event. I had chosen a pair of black wide legged pants, sleeveless button-up vest, and black heels. My friend Sarah Northey had made me a pair of gorgeous leather and feather earrings, using leftover feathers from BIG CHIEF, to go with my opening reception outfit. Now I call them my “good luck” earrings. As I started applying my make-up, my hands were actually in full tremble mode. Again – not whether I’d win an award or not – but because it was my art scene debut. I was experiencing the kind of nerves you get when you are about to preform at a recital or make a huge presentation in front of a large crowd. I felt like I could puke.
Our moms, Michael and I drove over to the gallery just in time for the start of the reception. I actually was not glued to my phone – I didn’t want to miss a moment of the evening - and certainly was not stressed over winning an award. Again – I’m way out of my league here. As we pulled into the gallery’s huge circular drive, lined with many cars, Michael announced he’d drop us all off by the front and he’d go park the car. As we neared the front of the gallery, I felt my phone vibrate and glanced down at a notification from my sister Lisa. It read “Jennifer, we are so proud of you!!!!!!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️” I thought – she’s just being supportive.
But then in that instant, I thought – we’ll maybe it’s more than that. I opened up the Facebook app and the first post in my newsfeed was by R.W. Norton Art Gallery announcing the winners. BIG CHIEF’s photo was shown first in the post and then I skimmed the caption briefly enough to read “1st Place: “Big Chief" by Jennifer "Jen" Morgan, 42" x 32", Fiber and Mixed Media”.
In that moment, my body, voice, and breath responded in a way that I had never felt before.
As Michael slowed down to let us out of the car, other cars behind us – my voice quivered – I don’t even remember the exact words I said – but the gist was “OMG – I won!” I don’t even think in those brief seconds that anyone even heard me and I remember I was so in shock that my words came out almost in a whisper. Michael said “Okay – y’all get out, I’ll go park.” But I wasn’t moving – I was actually sliding down in my seat and mumbling. They all asked me what I was saying. Again – this was all in a matter of seconds. I said it louder – “BIG CHIEF won first place! I WON!” I was in absolute disbelief! Michael repeated “That’s great – but get out of the car!” We all laugh about that now!
I think I literally fell out of the car. My mom and Sally got out. I stepped between two parked cars and fell to the curb and grass – my knees literally buckled underneath me. My body was almost convulsing – not knowing whether I was going to vomit, pass out, or have a heart attack – maybe all three at the same time…along with crying. Was this real? Was I dreaming?
A few minutes later, Michael walked up after parking the car. He pulled me up and gave me a hug and kiss (I think I remember). I tried to compose myself so we could walk into the gallery. Thank goodness I found out before I went inside the gallery - otherwise I would've collapsed on the gallery floor!
Much of the night was a blur. My hands continued to shake nervously. I was on Cloud 9 (still am) but so it was so dreamlike. How could this be?
I met Emily – she has been the most accessible, professional, organized, detail-oriented, and kind person to work with throughout the submission process. I couldn’t wait to hug her neck. She spoke to me about how BIG CHIEF was something special and how she read my artist statement about my piece to the jurors during the judging process – telling them all the techniques that I used. So many layers.
As the night proceeded, I met several of the other artists – but not as many as I had hoped. I was overwhelmed. I met a couple of gallery owners – again, not as many as I had hoped. I talked to many of the reception attendees about BIG CHIEF and the techniques that I used. I was the only fiber artist represented. I witnessed people taking photos of my piece – so many even taking photos from the side to try and capture the texture. I did, however, meet a few amazing people – both artists and art collectors – that I know I will be forever friends with! The night seemed to be over in an instant – but at times it seems like the clock hands stood still.
Believe it or not – I’m pretty socially awkward. I’m an introvert that has to work really hard at being an extrovert. So events like this can be really hard for me. Despite my pink hair, I don’t like to be center of attention. I fumble. I say stupid things. I tremble. I drop shit. I wish I could be more graceful – but I just can’t. If you look at me and think I’ve got it all together – just know inside I’m a hot mess of emotions and nerves.
That magical night, we never thought to take our group’s photos in front of BIG CHIEF. We actually didn’t take many photos at all. I was living (awkwardly) in the moment – trying to take it all in. I never took photos with other artists that I admire so much. I never took photos with my friends Matt and Gerard. But I will forever have those memories in my head. Michael, my mom and Sally returned to the gallery Friday afternoon to try and take some photos.
I am thrilled, but a tiny bit sad, to announce that we sold BIG CHIEF that night on the spot to an amazing couple Rita Harris and Mark Ford – Shreveport locals who are huge art collectors. We actually visited their house on Friday and were blown away by their collection – very few bare spaces on the walls. Their designer will surely have to do some rearranging to find a special place to hang BIG CHIEF. But I know he will have a great home there and Rita and Mark will treasure him. I also know, that they will be dear friends of our’s for years to come – so I’ll be able to see BIG CHIEF on occasion. BIG CHIEF will hang at the gallery through the end of the exhibit (November 23rd) and then head to Rita and Mark’s home in Shreveport.
I am overwhelmed with gratitude—to my husband Michael, my mom and mother-in-law who traveled with us, my friends who came to support me, and all of you who encourage me with your kind words, shares, and purchases. I could not do this without you.
The New Orleans in Art exhibition runs at the R.W. Norton Art Gallery in Shreveport through November 23, 2025. If you’re anywhere near, I highly recommend making the trip—not just for this show, but for the entire gallery. It’s truly a gem.
Congratulations to all of the talented artists that have pieces beautifully hanging in this exhibit - but especially to the other winners Crystal Obeidzinski, Ayodele Owolabi, Emre Karaoglu, and Nurhan Gokturk. I am so honored to be in this show with you!
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for cheering me on through this incredible journey.
4747 Creswell Ave, Shreveport, LA 71106
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