(The Reef 2023)

 Ernestine Schram is a true native of Louisiana. In November of 1923 she was born at the Highland Hospital.

She has been painting for fifty years, moving from realism into contemporary. There are collectors of her work in California, Arkansas, Missouri, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, and New York.

Volunteering has been a major part of her life. She has served on the boards of Goodwill, CASA, Samaritan, and is currently on the Optimist board. in 2009 she was elected the most outstanding CASA for the state of Louisiana. 

In 2024 a Foundation was formed in her honor resulting in five scholarships being awarded to local students.

She likes to cook, read, travel, pull for L.S.U. and the Saints.

She appreciates each had as a gift. Two of her favorite sayings are:
"If you are not the lead dog the scenery never changes."

"I just want everyone to get what they deserve."

The Norton Art Gallery has pictures of her life as part of their Oral History Project HERE.  

Her art can be viewed at B'nai Zion beginning Monday, September 9. She will have a "Meet and Greet" with light brunch 11:30am to talk about what it is like to be a 100 year old Jewish artist in Shreveport. Her art will be available for purchase through Sunday, September 15 3:30pm. There will be a raffle for one of her paintings. B'nai Zion will receive a portion of the purchase of the sales.