Believing art was meant for the gratification of the majority, the city  purchased a building downtown with funds provided by Senator John Smith. The Art Gallery, named RealArt DeRidder (RAD) after the historic RealArt Theatre downtown.

The gallery is operated by a group of cooperative artists, currently numbering more than 20. The group organizes several series of exhibitions each year, including group shows, individual exhibitions in various media, and works by major artists. These exhibitions will feature painting, drawing, graphic arts, photography and sculpture, as well as experimental forms and media.