Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, Red River Revel and Shreveport Regional Arts Council have stood the test of time and are having a historic moment.

Each was founded 50 years ago and is celebrating together with “50 Year Reflection – A Historic Exhibit.”

The opening reception is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 22 at artspace, 708 Texas St., and the exhibit will be open through Oct. 9.

Artist Bruce Allen, a longtime SRAC board member, has designed and is curating the show.

He was in the midst of putting it together when we interviewed him and shot photos.

Among the historical items featured in the exhibit are Red River Revel T-shirts, beginning with well-worn No. 1, as well as Revel posters, including a couple signed by legendary New Orleans singer Irma Thomas, whose performance drew a standing-room audience and wowed the crowd.

The exhibit will also feature Independence Bowl helmets worn by and representing each team that played games in Independence Stadium. “Teams from the East Coast to the West Coast,” pointed out Allen. 

The helmets include three from Louisiana Tech and two from LSU, as well as helmets from Notre Dame, Air Force Academy and Oregon.

A dramatic photo shows SRAC’s headquarters on Princess Park burning to the ground in the early morning hours, taking all the agency’s records and other information with it.

Eventually, the city presented SRAC with the fire station, now named Central Art Station, for its headquarters. Allen said the Princess Park headquarters was used by USO during World War II. Soldiers would stop there on their way to catch the nearby train, which took them to World War II.

An Independence Bowl tent, representing tailgating, also will be on display.

Another featured item is “Gumball,” a floor-to-ceiling “building” used by artist Bill Joyce and others as Caddo Common was in the works.

Just as the country celebrates America 250, the three local organizations are toasting their own history and the ways they are historical.

“The exhibit will take visitors through the history of all three groups,” said SRAC Executive Director Rebecca Bonnevier.

As a press release said, visitors will celebrate the three groups’ pivotal moments and unforgettable memories of the past 50 years.

“Come to the show and walk through the last 50 years with us,” entreated Missy Setters. She is executive director of the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, which produces its 50th anniversary game Dec. 22.

Shreveport Regional Arts Council, known locally as SRAC

Executive Director Bonnevier described SRAC’s purpose over 50 years: “Helping Shreveport dream bigger, see itself differently and celebrate the power of creativity.”

Specifically, it was founded in 1976 as the city’s “official arts agency” and spent the last 50 years championing artists, supporting arts organizations and bringing art into the everyday lives of people in Northwest Louisiana.

The agency has carried out its mission through programs and initiatives including Christmas in the Sky, a not-to-be-missed black-tie fundraiser held every other year. 

Sky is the biggest, most glittery and most expensive social event in northwest Louisiana, bringing people from around the world to party the night away and raise money for SRAC.

It will be held Dec. 12 at Louisiana Downs, with the theme Va-Boom!

Other SRAC programs include ARTspace, ArtBreak for Kids, art exhibitions, public art and art education. The agency also oversaw the development of Central ARTstation after a devastating fire left SRAC without a headquarters and transformed Shreveport Common in the downtown area.

Bonnevier points out that along the five decades, the organization has created opportunities for generations to experience, create and connect through the arts.

She feels it has helped nurture artists, inspire young people, strengthen neighborhoods, enliven public spaces and build a community where creativity is part of the fabric of daily life.

“Reaching a 50-year milestone is a testament to what happens when a community truly embraces the arts,” said Bonnevier.

“Over the last five decades, we’ve watched creativity inspire students in classrooms, ignite the careers of countless Northwest Louisiana artists and bring light to countless neighborhoods in our community,” shared Bonnevier, in discussing the exhibit.

“This 50th anniversary is more than a look back. It is a celebration of the artists, educators, partners, volunteers, supporters and dreamers who have made the journey possible and a joyful reminder that the arts have the power to bring people together, spark imagination and transform a city,” said Bonnevier. (She took the reins two-and-a-half years ago when longtime and much-loved Executive Director Pam Atchison retired.)

Red River Revel

“We are proud to partner with these cultural institutions in celebration of a half century of service to the region,” said Red River Revel Executive Director Logan Lewis.

“The Revel is a community-wide annual gift given by local citizens to neighbors.”

Lewis emphasized it is not about any one person, but led and run by volunteers and vendors.

“Over 50 years, it has surpassed its mission as a celebration of the arts and become a celebration of ourselves and our culture,” explained Lewis.

The Red River Revel is considered a multi-arts festival that “serves the community with cultural programming in art, music and food,” Lewis shared. “It is designed to be primarily educational in nature, entirely non-commercial, political, partisan and sectarian.”

The Revel brings visual and performing arts, seminars, workshops and children’s education to the Ark-La-Tex through a variety of creative experiences.

It also sponsors cultural programming in art, music and food.

Historical fact: Although she was relatively unknown at the time, Martha Stewart arrived in the early days to make an appearance in the food section of the Revel.

Radiance Technoligies Independence Bowl

The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl has been part of Shreveport-Bossier’s story for 50 years, bringing college football, fans and national attention to the community since 1976.

“There are only 35 communities in the country with the privilege of hosting a college football bowl game each year, and for our community to do that for 50 years says something powerful,” said Keith Burton, 2026 Independence Bowl Foundation chairman.

Over five decades, the Independence Bowl has become a holiday tradition, connecting generations of fans, student-athletes, coaches, volunteers, sponsors and community partners.

The bowl’s events have included the Independence Bowl Parade, Independence Bowl Fan Fest and the Independence Bowl Classic, adding to the excitement surrounding the annual game.

“Fifty years is more than an anniversary. It is a testament to a community that believed it could host something special,” Burton said.

The Independence Bowl remains part of Shreveport-Bossier’s story and a tradition that brings people together through sports.

The press release from executive directors of the three groups points out that success is possible through generations of families, friends, artists and supporters who believe in the power of bringing people together.

“For five decades, you have helped shaped who we are,” the three said, in a common press release. The “you” being the residents of the area which support all three in different ways.

Each group is intertwined into Shreveport’s culture and helped shape the community through all its good times and trials and tribulations.

The community is part of the story of three organizations that have helped shape the culture of our community through sports, music and art.

And the reason the story continues.