GALLERY ONE EIIIEVEN in Leesville opens the 2026 exhibition season with SYCAMORE AND SATELLITE DISHES, a pairing of two incredible artists from West Louisiana.

Mike Laporte is a wood carver/wood turner living in the rolling hills surrounding the south end of Anacoco lake. Stepping into his shop is like taking a step into the turn of century, as many of his tools and devices are handmade, including a wood lath controlled by a chevy transmission and a tool table morphed from a barber’s chair. Mike’s work is spread across turned bowls, hand carved cypress knees, carved wood figures and religious imagery. Originally a tattoo artist by trade, when Mike hung up the ink he began focusing on wood carving full time. Mike is a true hidden gem of an artist living in Vernon Parish and the galley is pleased to exhibit a range of his work.

Joining Mike in this exhibit is Gallery Artist Joey Governale from DeRidder. Joey made his mark on festivals and events for years across Louisiana as “Goober,” spreading funky and funny signs and artwork on the festival circuit. A few years ago Joey turned his focus on more traditional presentation works using Louisiana birds and animals as a focal point. Joey’s formal training was at Louisiana Tech, but his years as a sign painter made him fluid with sign paint enamel, which he uses in his paintings and constructions. Joey has exhibited at GALLERY ONE EIIIEVEN, the Alexandria Museum of Art, the Historic City Hall Culture Center in Lake Charles and in Le Grau du Roi, France. His work in this exhibit will be current paintings on Satellite Dishes and Environmental Constructions. The City of DeRidder has recently purchased several of Joey’s Dish paintings to hang around the Main Street District of DeRidder.

This exhibit will run from Jan. 29 – Feb. 28 with an artist reception on Jan. 31 at 6 pm. GALLERY ONE EIIIEVEN is located at 111 Third Street in the Leesville Main Street District.