Dennis Dannel Jr. to Showcase Art at The McKenna Museum of African-American Art, 7/19

After 22 years in NYC, actor Dennis Dannel, Jr. will come home to New Orleans this summer, to perform in Jackie Alexander's play, "The High Priestess of Dark Alley," July 7th - 24th at the historic Le Petit Theatre playhouse (celebrating 100 years). With over 15 years of NYC training, having acted in over 40 shows on the NY Stage, as well as TV, Film and Soap Opera credits, pretty much everyone who knows Dennis, knows he's an actor. What most don't know, however, is that Dennis is also an accomplished fine artist.

From July 19th - August 1st, The McKenna Museum of African American will host Dennis' first exhibition of his fine art drawings and paintings (opening reception July 19th from 6 - 9pm). This is Dennis' opportunity to share his most personal creative expression. As an actor and singer, Dennis is used to displaying his work to the masses; but this is very different. "I don't do my drawings and paintings for recognition, I do them because I don't have any other choice," Dennis says. "You see, my creative Muse is very strict," he continues. "If I'm not doing something creative all the time, I'll fall into a depression. Since I don't really do depressed, I tend to stay busy creatively."

Dennis started creating artwork moved from Catholic school to Metairie Park Country Day School in the third grade. Country Day's outstanding Arts program made falling love with creativity very easy. From 3rd - 12th grade, Dennis took three weekly art classes, two weekly choral singing classes and acted in two plays a year through Country Day's outstanding theatre department. This training in the Arts set the stage for who Dennis is today. "Those formative years in the Arts meant everything to me," he said. "Week in and week out, I was encouraged to explore my creative side. I was taught to love creating art just for the sake of creating it-for the soul-tickle of it. How rare these days!"

By the time he graduated, Dennis was in advanced art classes; he was the president of the Glee Club; he scored the lead or supporting roles in two plays every year; and he won a spot on the Louisiana State Chorus. "I'm only sorry more children don't get the kind of exposure to the Arts that I did. I often wonder if I could have had the happy life that I do, if it wasn't for my connection to creativity. And I thing, probably not."

As a fine artist, Dennis is both a draughtsman and a painter. He discovered his technique after many years of struggle and exploration. "I was really bad at art when I first started as a kid," Dennis shares. "I mean I was horrible! It wasn't until 11th grade that I found my own technique for drawing. From there, things just kind of began to fall into place." For Dennis, Fine Art is his emotional outlet; he enjoys helping each piece to unfold into its own resonance and pathos. "I never know where a drawing or painting is going to take me. I get to a certain point in the process and the piece tells me what it wants to be. The unknown is the fun of it!"

Dennis works in multiple mediums, including graphite, colored pencil, oil pastels, acrylic paint. The pieces to be displayed at the McKenna Museum will span from 1983 - 2013.

For further info visit: www.dennisdannel.com & www.instagram.com/dennisdannel