New Orleans, LA – It’s hot. It’s humid. It’s summer; which means the time has yet again come for droves of art patrons and revelers alike to garb themselves in linens woven of white and gather in the streets to party like an artist. Julia Street to be precise. The annual art-meets-wine extravaganza known as Whitney White Linen Night is once again upon us.

On August 5, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., the art galleries located along the 300-700 block stretch of Julia Street will open their doors to let the art, food, music, whimsey and wine flow freely into the street.

The massive block party will showcase more than 20 art galleries and museums from throughout the Arts District, cocktails and cuisine from 25 local restaurants and live music. (View the Street Guide for more details about food and beverage vendors.)

Whitney White Linen Night was originally devised and organized by Arts District of New Orleans as a means of attracting art enthusiasts and others to the downtown galleries during the slow early summer months (the event is now planned and organized by the Contemporary Arts Center).

During the free four-hour event, thousands stroll up and down Julia Street hopping from gallery to gallery taking in the art. While the crowd can range in diversity, representation amongst the artists may not always be easy to find. Thus, as art lovers and party-goers plan out the night, here are some suggested galleries to visit that are showcasing works by artists of color:

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5. OGDEN MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN ART (925 Camp Street) – HBCU Arts Showcase
The New Orleans Chapter of The Links, Incorporated will present its Historically Black College and Universities (HBCU) Arts Showcase. The exhibition will feature works from Xavier University of Louisiana and Dillard University students. Chartered in 1957, supporting the arts is one of the National Program Facets supported by the chapter along with Services to Youth; International Trends and Services; National Trends and Services; and Health and Human Services.

The exhibit opens on August 5 and will be on view until October 8.

OGDEN MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN ART – Louisiana Contemporary
In addition to the HBCU Showcase, also on display at the Ogden is Louisiana Contemporary, the annual exhibition that opens each year during White Linen Night. The exhibit will feature an assortment of living Louisiana artists. The statewide exhibition, established in 2012, is a juried exhibition that promotes contemporary art practices in the state of Louisiana. The 2017 juror for Louisiana Contemporary is curator and researcher Shantrelle P. Lewis, creator of The Dandy Lion Project. The exhibit will feature 84 artists, including Luis Cruz Azaceta, Kristen Downing, L. Kasimu Harris, Ana Hernandez and Jose Torres-Tama. For a full list of the 2017 Louisiana Contemporary featured artists, visit www.ogdenmuseum.org/exhibition/louisiana-contemporary-presented-helis-foundation.

Louisiana Contemporary is presented by The Helis Foundation, and will be on view from August 5 until October 15.

 

Read the entire article on The Louisiana Weekly.