Love in the Garden at NOMA

Friday, September 25, 7-11 p.m.
Love in the Garden
Now in its fifth year, Love in the Garden has become one of the Museum's most popular annual events, with delectable dining from more than 30 of the city's finest restaurants, an open bar, live music, and dancing under the stars and the oaks in the city's most romantic setting, the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Ten New Orleans-based artists will be honored for their artistic accomplishments as well as for active support of the New Orleans arts community. This year's entertainment will be provided by Joe Simon Jazz (Patron Party, 7-8 p.m.) and Deacon John (Garden Party, 8-11 p.m.). For more information, including the complete lists of honorees and participating restaurants, or to order tickets, visit noma.org/love. To order tickets by phone contact NOMA's Kristen Jochem at (504) 658-4121.

NOMA: Tour of the Asian Art Collection with Lisa Rotondo-McCord

Wednesday, September 2
6 p.m.
Tour of the Asian Art Collection with
Lisa Rotondo-McCord

Lisa Rotondo-McCord, Assistant Director for Art and Curator of Asian Art, leads an informal tour of the new installation of Asian Art. The New Orleans Museum of Art's Asian Art collection is one of the most distinguished in the Gulf South. The richness, variety and breadth of the arts of China, Japan and India are showcased in the Museum's renowned holdings. The collection includes objects which range in date from the Neolithic to the contemporary, and include screens and scroll paintings, miniatures, calligraphy, woodblock prints, ceramics, bronzes, jades, and the decorative arts of East Asia and the Indian sub-continent. The tour is part of the Mid-Week in Mid-City series of public programs on Wednesday evenings, when the Museum stays open until 8 p.m.

Culture Collision this Wednesday at NOMA!

Wednesday, September 2
6-8 p.m.

Find out everything you need to know about the fall cultural season and score specially discounted tickets at this meet-up of local arts organizations sponsored by WWNO, with complimentary bites by Café Degas and mojitos by Old New Orleans Rum. Organized by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, New Orleans Ballet Association, New Orleans Museum of Art, New Orleans Opera Association and Southern Rep, additional partners include Arts Council of New Orleans, Contemporary Arts Center, FourFront Theatre, Friends of the Cabildo, Friends of Music, The Historic New Orleans Collection, Jefferson Performing Arts Society, Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré, Louisiana ArtWorks, Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, Louisiana State Museum, The National World War II Museum, New Orleans Film Society, New Orleans Photo Alliance, NOMA Volunteer Committee, Ogden Museum of Southern Art and Southern Food and Beverage Museum. Operatic trio Bon Operatit will perform in between sets by DJ Matty (of Saturn Bar Mod Dance Party fame) and prizes donated by participating arts organizations-including memberships, free tickets, books, gift bags and more-will be raffled off throughout the evening. Regular Museum admission rates apply, which means this event is FREE to Louisiana residents through the generosity of The Helis Foundation.

Visit the New Orleans Museum of Art table in the Great Hall to meet New Orleans-based artist Skylar Fein, who will be on hand to tell visitors about his first solo museum exhibition, Youth Manifesto, opening September 12, and to learn about the upcoming major exhibition, Dreams Come True: Classic Fairy Tales from the Walt Disney Studio, opening November 15. Visit the NOMA Volunteer Committee table, also in the Great Hall, to find out about Love in the Garden and other NVC events.

Skylar Fein: Youth Manifesto opening reception and concert

Saturday, September 12, 5:30-10 p.m.
Skylar Fein: Youth Manifesto opening reception and concert

Join us to celebrate the opening of Skylar Fein: Youth Manifesto with an opening and reception, plus live music with a lineup of New Orleans-based bands hand-picked by Fein. Focusing on youth culture, rock and roll, Americana and advertising, Youth Manifesto tackles the pervasive power and symbiotic relationship between rock music and consumerism. The high-energy exhibition is comprised entirely of new work, including painting, sculpture, video and screen prints.

At NOMA: Tour: Mnemonic Devices with Rachel Jones and David Webber; Summer Art Studios;

New Orleans Museum of Art
6 p.m.
Tour: Mnemonic Devices with Rachel Jones and David Webber

Join artists Rachel Jones and David Webber for a tour of their current two-person exhibition Mnemonic Devices: Rachel Jones and David Webber. The two Louisiana-based artists working in painting (Jones) and video (Webber) explore the process of selecting and assembling information from memories and pre-existing documents into new visual amalgams. The New Orleans-based Jones has exhibited her work locally at The Front, as well as in New York and Austria. Webber is Assistant Professor of Media Art at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and has exhibited his work in numerous international film festivals.

The film is part of the Mid-Week in Mid-City series of public programs on Wednesday evenings, when the Museum stays open until 8 p.m. As always, a cash bar will be available from 5-8 p.m.

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August 8, Ages 13-17
Drawing Studio
Designed for the beginning to intermediate artist, this course is an introduction to many drawing approaches with a variety of media and subject matter. Basic figure drawing techniques will be introduced as well as drawing from life with a clothed model.
http://noma.org/learn.html

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Coming Up at NOMA:

Wednesday, August 5, 6 p.m.
"Instant" Tour with George Roland
George Roland, Doris Zemurray Stone Curator of Prints and Drawings, leads an informal tour of An Instant Arrested in Eternity: Sketches by Steinlen, Forain & Tchelitchew.

Wednesday, August 5, 6 p.m.
Poets & Writers Workshop
An open poetry workshop led by New Orleans-based poet Jean E. Grau, held in conjunction with Poets & Writers, the nation's largest nonprofit serving creative writers.

Friday, August 7, Noon-1 p.m.
"Instant" Tour with George Roland
George Roland, Doris Zemurray Stone Curator of Prints and Drawings, leads an informal tour of An Instant Arrested in Eternity: Sketches by Steinlen, Forain & Tchelitchew.

Saturday, August 8, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
"An Afternoon Focus on Alzheimer's"
An afternoon of community awareness events presented in conjunction with "Caring Partners" from the Greater New Orleans Alzheimer's Association. In the Stern Auditorium, the HBO Films documentary Alzheimer's Project screens at
11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Wednesday, August 12, 6 p.m.
"Highlights of the Chinese Collection" Tour
with Lisa Rotondo-McCord
Lisa Rotondo-McCord, Assistant Director for Art and Curator of Asian Art, leads an informal tour of highlights from the permanent collection of Chinese art.

Wednesday, August 19, 6 p.m.
The Art of Caring Tour with Alice Dickinson
Join Alice Webb Dickinson, associate collections manager and the institutional curator for The Art of Caring, on a tour of the current major exhibition, The Art of Caring: A Look at Life through Photography.

New Orleans Museum of Art Upcoming Dates

Saturday, July 11, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
"An Afternoon Focus on Aging"
An afternoon of community awareness events presented in conjunction with "Caring Partners" from AARP, Catholic Charities' PACE Program for Seniors, The Council on Aging and Jewish Family Service's Life Line Program.

Wednesday, July 15, 6 p.m.
Decorative Arts Tour with John W. Keefe
Exhibition organizer John W. Keefe, The RosaMary Foundation Curator of the Decorative Arts, leads visitors on an informal tour of With a Little Help from Our Friends: Recent Accessions in the Decorative Arts. This new exhibition gratefully acknowledges the generosity of the Museum's patrons and friends who have helped enhance the already renowned Decorative Arts collection with gifts in ceramics, glass, metalwork, small sculpture and Fabergé objects.

Saturday, July 25, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
"An Afternoon Focus on Caregiving & Healing"
An afternoon of community awareness events presented in conjunction with "Caring Partners" from Covenant House, Louisiana State University School of Nursing and Ochsner Blood Bank. Activities include a blood drive.

Upcoming NOMA Projects and Exhibitions!

Wednesday, July 1, 6 p.m.
Summer Exhibition Openings
Be among the first to see two new summer exhibitions, An Instant Arrested in Eternity: Sketches by Steinlen, Forain & Tchelitchew and With a Little Help from Our Friends: Recent Acquisitions in the Decorative Arts.

Wednesday, July 8, 6 p.m.
Community Art Studio for Adults
Explore your creative side in a relaxing and inspiring environment with other adults. NOMA's resident art therapist Holly Wherry will guide you in expressing yourself with a large selection of art materials provided in this open studio. No artistic experience is necessary.

Saturday, July 11, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
"An Afternoon Focus on Aging"
An afternoon of community awareness events presented in conjunction with "Caring Partners" from AARP, Catholic Charities' PACE Program for Seniors, The Council on Aging and Jewish Family Services' Life Line Program.

Wednesday, July 15, 6 p.m.
Decorative Arts Tour with John W. Keefe
Exhibition organizer John W. Keefe, The RosaMary Foundation Curator of the Decorative Arts, leads visitors on an informal tour of With a Little Help from Our Friends: Recent Accessions in the Decorative Arts. This new exhibition gratefully acknowledges the generosity of the Museum's patrons and friends who have helped enhance the already renowned Decorative Arts collection with gifts in ceramics, glass, metalwork, small sculpture and Fabergé objects.

Saturday, July 25, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
"An Afternoon Focus on Caregiving & Healing"
An afternoon of community awareness events presented in conjunction with "Caring Partners" from Covenant House, Louisiana State University School of Nursing and Ochsner Blood Bank. Activities include a blood drive.

Summer Art Studio at NOMA

July 6-10, Ages 4-6
Mid-Summer Mardi Gras
Who doesn't love Mardi Gras? Participants will be inspired by local artists and themes within the Museum's galleries as we celebrate our favorite holiday and learn about art! New Orleans-themed projects involving float-making, food, costuming, music and more. The week will conclude with our own parade around NOMA. Associated art elements, techniques, and imagination will be highlighted with each project, and a snack will be provided for the artists.

NOMA's Library Book Club: Discussion about Natalie Scott: A Magnificent Life

Meet up with other passionate readers for a discussion about this month's Felix J. Dreyfous Library Book Club selection, Natalie Scott: A Magnificent Life by John W. Scott. Participants are invited to bring a packed lunch and the Museum will provide soft drinks and water. New members are always welcome! To reserve your spot at the discussion or for more information, contact Librarian Sheila Cork at (504) 658-4117 or scork@noma.org

NOMA Updates!

Friday, June 19th:
Noon
Library Book Club: Tour of Louisiana Women Artists with Judith Bonner

This month's Felix J. Dreyfous Library Book Club selection, Natalie Scott: A Magnificent Life by John W. Scott, serves as the point of departure for Friday's Book Club activity, a tour of Women Artists in Louisiana, 1825-1965: A Place of Their Own with exhibition organizer Judith Bonner, Senior Curator of The Historic New Orleans Collection. To reserve a spot on the tour or for more information, contact Librarian Sheila Cork at (504) 658-4117 or scork@noma.org.

Saturday, June 20th:
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
"An Afternoon Focus on Healing"

In conjunction with The Art of Caring: A Look at Life through Photography, the New Orleans Museum of Art presents an afternoon of family art-making led by NOMA's Art Therapy Initiative. The family art-making event is appropriate for all ages, according to the Museum's resident certified art therapist, Holly Wherry. Families are invited to drop in anytime during the four-hour program to work on a creative project together. No artistic experience is necessary.

Summer Art Studios
Space: The Final Frontier starts Monday

Summer Art Studios for children and teens are underway, but it's not too late to sign up for one of the several sessions still to come. The next week-long studio for children 10-12, Space: The Final Frontier, begins Monday, and the next week-long studio for children 4-6, the Mid-Summer Mardi Gras, begins July 6. For information on these and other upcoming Summer Art Studios, click here.

June 22-26, Ages 10-12
Space: The Final Frontier
According to 20th century artist Frank Stella, "the aim of art is to create space." By examining NOMA's collection of modern and contemporary art, participants will discover how artists use different materials to create and engage space and how the viewer is affected by these choices. Hands-on projects involving printmaking, drawing, found objects and three-dimensional construction will allow the young artists to explore new methods of art-making and will highlight the art principles behind much of 20th century art.

July 6-10, Ages 4-6
Mid-Summer Mardi Gras
Who doesn't love Mardi Gras? Participants will be inspired by local artists and themes within the Museum's galleries as we celebrate our favorite holiday and learn about art! New Orleans-themed projects involving float-making, food, costuming, music and more. The week will conclude with our own parade around NOMA. Associated art elements, techniques, and imagination will be highlighted with each project, and a snack will be provided for the artists.

Wednesday, June 24, 6 p.m.
Film: Alfred Eisenstaedt: Photographer
In this Emmy-award-winning documentary, famed documentary photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt, featured in the current exhibition The Art of Caring: A Look at Life through Photography, returns to his German homeland for the first time since 1935. While on assignment, he re-establishes his roots and photographs it with fresh eyes for his tenth and possibly most important book, Eisenstaedt: Germany. Filmed with Eisenstaedt's cooperation, the photographer at the height of his Life magazine career, the artist tells all about photography, Hitler, Hollywood, the 1950s and more.

Wednesday, July 1, 6 p.m.
Summer Exhibition Openings
Be among the first to see two new summer exhibitions, An Instant Arrested in Eternity: Sketches by Steinlen, Forain & Tchelitchew and With a Little Help from Our Friends: Recent Acquisitions in the Decorative Arts.

New Exhibitions at NOMA!

REMINDER: Three exhibition openings, Wednesday, June 10

New Orleans Museum of Art: Arthur Silverman Panel

Wednesday, April 8 @ 6pm

Arthur Silverman Panel and Cocktail Tasting

A panel discussion reflecting on sculptor Arthur Silverman's 45-year career. Panelists include architect Ivan Mandich, curator Patricia Chandler (Walda and Sydney Besthoff Collection) and artists John Clemmer and James Lamantia. Silverman's best-known work is based on the tetrahedron, the use of one geometric element in repetition. Silverman has executed more than 400 metal sculptures of various proportions and his work is displayed in more than 30 New Orleans buildings. To read more about Silverman, check out this 1999 article from Science News, "The Art of the Tetrahedron." You can also view installation images of a 2002 Silverman exhibition at LeMieux Galleries by clicking here.

This Mid-Week in Mid-City also features a complimentary specialty cocktail tasting in the Great Hall, courtesy of Stolichnaya Russian Vodka.

Happenings at NOMA!

What is new at NOMA? More info here.

• First-ever Iris Viewing Festival this Saturday
• Author and Subject Tour Wednesday evening
• Morning Yoga in the Sculpture Garden
• Upcoming Event: African Art Educator Workshop

Wednesday April 1st, 6pm: Author and Subject Tour with Lisa Rotondo-McCord

Curator of Asian Art Lisa Rotondo-McCord leads a tour of Author and Subject: Murasaki Shikibu and The Tale of Genji, a new exhibition of Japanese Edo-period painting related to one of the world's first novels, this Wednesday at 6 p.m. The informal gallery tour, free to Louisiana residents, is part of the Mid-Week in Mid-City series of public programs on Wednesday evenings, when the Museum stays open late until 8 p.m. As usual, a cash bar will be available in the Great Hall from 5-8 p.m.

Saturday April 4th, 8-9am: Morning Yoga in the Sculpture Garden

Beginning this Saturday, April 4, the New Orleans Museum of Art partners with East Jefferson General Hospital to offer Yoga in the Sculpture Garden on the first Saturday of every month. The one-hour classes, led by a Certified Yoga Instructor from the EJGH Wellness Center, begin at 8 a.m. in the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Each session is $5 for NOMA members and requires pre-registration by calling EJGH Health Finder at (504) 456-5000.

Saturday April 4th, 11-3pm: Irish Viewing Festival

Celebrate the arrival of springtime with a stroll through the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden during the New Orleans Museum of Art's first-ever Iris Viewing Festival this Saturday. Hundreds of new blooms planted around the lagoon this winter will reveal themselves in time for the celebration, which also will feature live music, educational demonstrations and a one-day-only contemporary art installation, Birds in the Park, by Christy Hengst of Santa Fe, N.M.

Educator Workshops

All area educators are invited to attend our next FREE workshop, an exploration of the Museum's African Art collection. Educational materials will be provided to participants, as well as a certificate of attendance. Pre-registration is required. Please contact the Education Department at 504-658-4128 or education@noma.org. When e-mailing, please provide your name, school or organization, and phone number.

African Art from the Permanent CollectionTuesday, April 28, 6-8pm:

Curator of African Art William Fagaly will use the Museum's collection to provide educators with a general overview of the arts of Africa. The objects in the galleries will help to shed light on the religious, social and artistic background of each culture represented. Overall themes within the collection will be highlighted, allowing educators to present the material to their students with ease. Education staff also will discuss classroom activities and suggestions for incorporating African art into a variety of curricula.

SPACE IS LIMITED!

MORE INFO FOR ALL EVENTS, here.

Faberge Egg Hunt in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden

Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden

The beloved Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden has reopened to the eager citizens of New Orleans. The public is once again able to relax and walk along the meandering footpaths in the Garden, which is home to fifty-seven sculptures by artists from around the world. Forty-four of the 57 sculptures have been donated to the New Orleans Museum of Art by the Besthoff Foundation. The other 11 are Museum purchases or gifts from other donors. The collection includes work by some of the great master sculptors of the 20th century (Antoine Bourdelle, Henry Moore, Jacques Lipchitz, Louise Bourgeois), as well as younger, contemporary sculptors (Kenneth Snelson, Allison Saar, Joel Shapiro, Jean-Michel Othoniel). Nine of the 57 sculptures pre-date 1960, while 29 of the 57 artists represented are living.

Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. FREE Admission

Also available: opportunities to volunteer in the garden or adopt a sculpture!

PATOIS: The 6th Annual New Orleans International Human Rights Film Festival

Patois’ mission is to create accessible spaces at the intersection of art and social justice. Artists and activists founded our festival, and we are dedicated to nurturing our city's human rights community, supporting the work of local organizers and organizations involved in these struggles, and linking local issues to international issues. Our goal is to raise awareness of these issues and provide a forum for artistic expression of these themes.

This year features more than 50 films, performances, workshops, and other events at venues across New Orleans.

Patois: The New Orleans International Human Rights Film Festival will take pace from Thursday, March 26 through Sunday, April 5, 2009.

This year’s Festival promises a breathtaking line-up of films, performances, workshops and more. In 2008, more than 3,000 New Orleanians and scores of guests from around the world attended five world premieres and exciting events featuring artists and activists from the Gulf South to the Middle East. Events ranged from a panel discussion with Academy Award winning director Jonathan Demme to a blow-out dance party and 10 sold-out screening that highlighted New Orleans musicians, artists, and students. This year boasts a new name and even more unique and exciting films, filmmakers and performances. Patois presents films, speakers, and performers who offer concrete solutions and celebrate successes in the global struggle for human rights. All of the nearly fifty films lined up this year are New Orleans premieres. A diverse array of cultural events, panel discussions and parties are scheduled to take place at venues throughout the city.

The Festival opens on March 26th at Canal Place, where Patois will commemorate its new name in conjunction with the New Orleans Premiere of American Violet, starring Alfre Woodard. Filmed in New Orleans, the film confronts racial profiling through the inspiring story of woman standing up to injustice in a small Texas town.

Other highlighted screenings and events include:

Friday, March 27
9:00pm
Hiphop Concert featuring national and local acts, including Mohammad Al-Farra, from Gaza, and Wise Intelligent from the legendary hiphop group Poor Righteous Teachers.

Saturday, March 28
7:00p.m.
Medicine for Melancholy
A love story in the context of racism and gentrification told through two African-American twenty-something’s dealing with issues of class, identity, and being a minority in rapidly gentrifying San Francisco—a city with the smallest proportional black population of any major American city. Directed by Barry Jenkins.

Wednesday, April 1
New Orleans Museum of Art
6:00p.m.
Independent America
Examines the reconstruction of New Orleans with a focus on the challenges small family businesses face in the growing landscape of corporate retailers. Directed by Hanson Hosein.

Thursday, April 2
New Orleans Museum of Art
6:00p.m. New Orleans Tea Party A locally-made documentary about the rebuilding of civil society in post-Katrina New Orleans. Directed by Marline Otte.

Sunday, April 5
Zeitgeist Justice for All
An exploration of young people in the criminal justice system in the US, from Jena, Louisiana to California to New York.

For more info: http://patoisfilmfest.org/