BECA Gallery Upcoming Exhibition

Second Annual Gulf-South Regional

Opening Reception: Saturday, April 4, 2009 from 6pm-8:30pm.

The BECA gallery is thrilled to present the '2nd Annual Gulf-South Regional' contemporary art group exhibition at the gallery's home location at 527 St. Joseph Street, New Orleans, LA from April 4, 2009 - May 23, 2009. The purpose of the 'Gulf South Regional' exhibition is to discover and highlight some of the most innovative emerging Gulf South contemporary artists who are on the leading edge of new art + ideas, their current work and the ideas that are motivating their creative processes. This newest exhibition installment features today's most engaging and thought-provoking works of sculpture, painting, drawing and mixed-media expressing the progressive, contemporary culture of the gulf-south region of the United States: TX, LA, MS, AL and FL.

The following ten artists have been selected for this '2nd Annual Gulf-South Regional' exhibition:
James Alexander - Deon Blackwell - Scott Finch - Mark Grote - Adam Hall - Marina del Rosario Huang - Christopher McNulty - Luke Sides - Brian Spolans - Anne Stagg

When: Saturday, April 4, 2009 from 6:30pm - 8:30pm at BECA gallery for the opening artists' reception to help celebrate this talented group of emerging artists.

If you are currently outside of New Orleans and cannot visit the gallery space, you can view the entire exhibit online beginning March 30, 2009.

BECA Gallery: NEXT Exhibition

NEXT: A Leading Edge Contemporary Art + Design Group Exhibition Featuring what’s NEW + what’s NEXT in one-of-a-kind and limited edition innovative furniture and related accessories, lighting and body adornments.

'NEXT' concludes March 27, 2009!

Update: State of the Nation

Mentioned earlier, here, ArtSpot Productions presents the 5th Annual Art and Performance Festival - "State of the Nation". The theme this year is Tipping Point.

"State of the Nation is an annual multidisciplinary arts festival and ocassional series that brings together student, emerging, and professional performing and visual artists who are committed to addressing social, political, and economic issues facing the country. Co-produced annually in New Orleans, Louisiana and Jackson, Mississippi since 2004, the festivals have presented the work of over three hundred and fifty dancers, musicians, theater artists, poets, painters, sculptors, filmmakers, activists and educators. Attended by thousands, the festivasl provide an opportunity to showcase projects and participate in workshops. At its best, State of the Nation stands as a forum for democracy – a space for the free discussion of current affairs.
This year’s festival explores the intersection of art and activism through the presentation of original performance, dance, music, film, workshops, visual art installations, community dilagues and site-specific events by more than 100 artists from the Gulf Coast, Baltimore, D.C., Maryland, California, Hawaii, Philadephia and New York."

Local and National performers include:
ArtSpot Productions, Junebug Productions, The Free Southern Theater Institute, M.U.G.A.B.E.E. (Men Under Guidance Acting Before Early Extinction), Creative Forces, Students at the Center, Turning of the Bones presented by Home, New Orleans?-LakeviewS, We Three Kings, The Porch, Nicole Garneu’s UPRISING (Chicago), Goat in the Road Productions, Saddi Khali, Raymond “Moose” Jackson, Scott Heron and HIJACK, Maritza Mercado-Narcisse, NORD/NOBA Dance, Antonio Garza, NEW NOISE, Joanna Russo, Zentropy, The New Deal Boys, Ryan Watkins Hughes, Dance Now Productions (Washington D.C.), Adam Tourek (New England), 2B Tribe Dance (Nachitoches, LA), olive Dance Theater (Philidelphia), Brett Keyser (Philadelphia), Rebecca Stronger (New York).

Turning of the Bones

ArtSpot Productions presents "Turning of the Bones" - March 12-28, 2009

"ArtSpot Productions is an ensemble of artists dedicated to creating meticulously LIVE theater in New Orleans. [They] strive to incite positive change in our community with visually stunning performances and empowering educational programs. [The] productions are a sincere blend of disciplines developed through ensemble authorship, physically rigorous training, original music, interactive sculptural environments, and extended research and rehearsal."

Art and Wednesdays at the Square

YLC Wednesday at the Square concert series will host an Artist Village. The 12-week series will again be held in Lafayette Square across from Gallier Hall. Event runs April 1 to June 18, 2009.For a flat-rate price of ninety dollars ($90) per week, or discounted one-thousand dollars ($1,000) for twelve weeks, you can display your work, conduct live demonstrations, and/or sell pieces to our audience of up to 6,000 people every week. You will receive space with electricity (as available), 1-6’ table, and 2 chairs. We will provide a banner for the village, but not individual booths. You may bring a white 10’x10’ pop-up tent, decorate your booth, provide display hardware for your artwork, bring tabletop signage and promotional materials, and staff your booth. Space is assigned in order of applications received.

For more information and an application, please visit http://www.wednesdayatthesquare.com/artistsvillage.html

The ELLA Project

The ELLA (Entertainment Law Legal Assistance) Project offers pro-bono legal assistance to low-income artists musicians, and grass roots non-profits in Louisiana. ELLA provides assistance with copyright and intellectual property, business incorporation, non profit incorporation, contract review, contract disputes, and other civil law matters. Unlike many Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts programs which only offer 30 minutes of assistance, the ELLA Project can take your legal matter from concept to completion, and work with you until the matter is resolved.
A partnership of the Arts Council, Tipitina's Foundation, and Tulane Law School Community Service Program, the ELLA Project holds intake sessions by appointment every Friday. Sessions are held from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Arts Council at 818 Howard Ave, and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Tipitina's. Tulane Law School interns assist supervising attorney Ashlye Keaton in delivering legal services.
To request an appointment call The Arts Council of New Orleans: 504-523-1465 or email to gmeneray@artscouncilofneworleans.org

Job Opportunities

Odgen Museum of Southern Art is seeking applicants for the position of Associate Director/COO to work with the Director to oversee daily business, financial and administrative operations including: developing and maintaining budgets, financial reporting, payroll, audits, insurance, tax reports and personnel issues. Duties include working with the Director to complete museum expansion and renovation programs as well as oversight of facilities operations and security programs. Bachelor’s degree in related field, Master’s preferred. Five years financial and administrative experience, with museum or non-profit management experience preferred. Salary is commensurate with experience. Application instructions below...Send resume and three letters of recommendation to Director’s Office, The Ogden Museum of Southern Art, University of New Orleans, 925 Camp Street, New Orleans, LA 70130. The University of New Orleans is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. Women, ethnic minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

KID smART is looking for a Director of Development. KID smART is a non-profit organization that works with the arts to engage children in learning about themselves and the world in which they live. Through artists in the classroom, after school, community-based programming and our new teacher training program, AXIS, KID smART makes learning come alive in New Orleans.
Please send resume, references, writing samples and salary requirements to:Sarah Cressy, KID smART, 1920 Clio Street, New Orleans, LA 70113, sarah@kidsmart.org

Job specifics at the Art Council of New Orleans' website.

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!

Update: JAMMIN' ON JULIA

Renaissance Arts Hotel's: JAMMIN' ON JULIA
presented by the New Orleans Arts District
April 4, 2009 // 6-9pm // Free admission

Enjoy the New Orleans Arts District's annual spring festival featuring gallery openings, live music and local cuisine and cocktails for sale. The free celebration happens along Julia St. (300-600 blocks, between Commerce St. and St. Charles Ave.), throughout the New Orleans Arts District and at the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC, 900 Camp St.). Entertainment by the Free Agents Brass Band, the Roots of Music Crusaders Marching Band and Tikki & the Rhythm Walkers. Participating restaurants include Le Citron Bistro, Sun Ray Grill, Whole Foods Market and more.
For more information, call (504) 528-3805 or visit http://www.neworleansartsdistrict.com/

Jammin' on Julia

April's response to White Linen Night (Summer) and Art for Arts' Sake (Fall) . . .

Jammin' on Julia!
April 4, 2009
New Orleans, Julia Street Arts District
Art walk and fundraiser for the New Orleans Arts District
Art, food, gallery openings, drinks, music!

More info to come!

23rd Annual Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival

Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival ~ "A Weekend Named Desire"
March 25-29, New Orleans, Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre, 616 St. Peter St., the Cabildo, Historic New Orleans Collection and other venues. Theater, literary events, music, film screenings, book fair, walking tours, and "Stanley and Stella" shouting contest.

2009 Lineup includes: Tony Award-winning actresses Zoe Caldwell, Marian Seldes and Frances Sternhagen; Tony Award-winning playwrightJohn Guare; Grammy-winning writer Tom Piazza; bestsellers Jill Conner Browne, Nevada Barr, Laura Lippman and John Berendt; acclaimed television writers and producers David Simon and Eric Overmyer; National Book Award-winning poet Mark Doty; Pulitzer Prize-winning authors Rick Bragg and Richard Ford; editors Dan Menaker and Amber Quereshi; journalist Katherine Bouton; Pulitzer-nominated playwright John Biguenet; novelists Amanda Boyden,Stephen Lovely, and Bill Loehfelm; actors Jeremy Lawrence and Doug Tompos; actor John “Spud” McConnell reprising his role as Ignatius J. Reilly; performance poet Nick Fox; improvisational comedy troupe the National Comedy Company; musicians Vernel Bagneris, Rich Look, and The Last Straws; chefs John Besh and Kit Wohl; food critic John Mariani and many more.

The Festival provides a list of the latest (and upcoming) releases by veteran authors, rising stars, and new faces in the literary world, who are all friends of the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival.

State of the Nation Art and Performance Festival

Fifth annual State of the Nation Art and Performance Festival, Wednesday-March 22, New Orleans, multiple venues in the 7th Ward, 9th Ward and Faubourg Marigny. Regional art and performance festival, featuring theater, music, dance, visual art and workshops. The festival brings together artists from across the United States who are committed to addressing social, political, and economic issues facing the Gulf South and the country-at-large. This year’s festival will explore the intersection of art and activism around the specific theme of a tipping point. It will feature more than 100 artists from the Gulf Coast, Baltimore, D.C., Maryland, California, Hawaii, New York and beyond.

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/

ART New Orleans Magazine

ART New Orleans Magazine takes an in-depth look into the arts and culture of New Orleans. From the artists to photographers, galleries to museums, festivals to fine dining, novice to aficionado, there is something for everyone in ART New Orleans Magazine.

• Magazine website: http://www.artneworleansmag.com/
• For a FREE subscription: http://www.artneworleansmag.com/contact.htm
• ART New Orleans Directory: http://www.artneworleansmag.com/directory.htm

Arthur Roger Gallery Opening

Arthur Roger Gallery Opening for Troy Dugas, W. Steve Rucker and Stephen Sollins

• Saturday from 6-8pm (March 7th 2009)
• 432 Julia Street Gallery, New Orleans - Warehouse Arts District
• Troy Dugas - New Label Work
• W. Steve Rucker - Strong Song Variations, Holding My Own
• Stephen Sollins - Letters Home