NEW ORLEANS, LA—Recognizing the need to engage a contemporary audience that appreciates the vibrant visual culture of Louisiana and the role of New Orleans as a rising, international art center, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art is organizing the second annual Louisiana Contemporary Presented by Regions Bank, a statewide, juried exhibition. Opening on Whitney White Linen Night, Sat. August 3, 2013, the exhibition will be on view through September 22, 2013.
This year’s juror is Franklin Sirmans, the Terri and Michael Smooke Department Head and Curator of Contemporary Art for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Previously, Sirmans served as a curator of modern and contemporary art at The Menil Collection in Houston, and curatorial advisor at P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center, an affiliate of the Museum of Modern Art, New York. Notable exhibitions organized by Sirmans include Face Off: A Selection of Old Masters and Others at The Menil Collection and Basquiat, which originated at the Brooklyn Museum and traveled to the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Sirmans is also the artistic director of Propsect.3 New Orleans.
“We are thrilled Franklin Sirmans is the juror for this year’s Louisiana Contemporary. His outstanding accomplishments at The Menil Collection, Dia Foundation, and Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and his role as artistic director of Prospect.3 New Orleans gives him a comprehensive view of the literal ‘state of the arts’ in Louisiana that will be a great asset in the jury process,” says Ogden Museum of Southern Art Director William Andrews. “I’m additionally thankful that he will have the opportunity to closely examine the work of many artists from across the state of Louisiana.”
This annual exhibition promotes contemporary art practices in the state of Louisiana and provides a space for the exposition of living artist’s work.
“Artists in Louisiana are a special breed. Whether they are born here or not, these artists have worked in a place that is both difficult and easy,” says Louisiana artist Robert Tannen. “An ongoing annual exhibition for living artists in Louisiana at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art is the appropriate means to celebrate the work.”
“Louisiana has long nurtured artistic creativity. It has been the home to a number of world renowned artists such as William Woodward, Clementine Hunter, Enrique Alferez, Elemore Morgan Jr., Lynda Benglis, and Caroline Durieux, to name just a few,” says Ogden Museum Board Chair Robert Hinckley. “Louisiana Contemporary shares the state’s best and brightest talents to a larger audience. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is pleased to be showcasing such an accomplished group of artists.”
“Regions Bank is proud to be part of Ogden Museum’s second juried exhibition for Louisiana artists,” says Scott Howard, City President of Regions Bank. “The range and quality of work presented last year was extraordinary and set the table for what will soon be recognized as the premier annual venue for Louisiana’s outstanding artists to exhibit their work, attracting art lovers from all over the country. I can’t think of a more fitting program for a museum dedicated to Southern art.”
“From the beginning, Regions Bank and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art set out to give expression to a community that should be recognized, supported, and celebrated. As the Museum approaches its tenth anniversary, we look forward to another great installation of Louisiana Contemporary,” says Ogden Director Andrews.
For Louisiana Contemporary, all media is eligible, and any artist living in Louisiana is eligible to enter. A nonrefundable $35 fee is required, and artists may submit up to three entries; $10 for each additional entry in excess of three. Up to $3,000 in awards will be presented to participating artists, including a $1,000 Best of Show cash award.
For a complete list of requirements, please go to: www.LouisianaContemporary.org.
Deadline for entries is Wednesday, June 26, 2013
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Questions: Please contact Sue Strachan, PR Director, 504.539.9613; [email protected]