In celebration of the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ogden Museum of Southern Art hosted a wide range of online programming in addition to offering free admission to the Museum on January 18. 

Collaborating with creators, educators and nonprofits from the New Orleans area, the Museum brought people together on this special day to learn, play and make art in honor of the Civil Rights Movement leader. 

In and outside of the Museum walls, New Orleanians took part in the festivities. Those who came to Ogden Museum searched the Museum’s exhibited collection works as part of a scavenger hunt. All successful scavengers were entered into a raffle to win more opportunities to engage with the Museum, which included gifts curated by the Museum Store, an Ogden Museum Art Box and a Family Membership. 

Those who preferred to stay home, however, were by no means tardy to the party. Free art activity bags – distributed at the Museum and New Orleans Public Libraries leading up to the event – became portals of exploration into the life of Dr. King. Families could work through the activities while listening to and watching a myriad of online performances, stories, lectures and even an MLK themed playlist! 

This 4th annual celebration was unlike those of past years, but it still achieved its purpose – to bring people together to celebrate Dr. King and all that he stood for. The breadth of voices present, the excitement in and out of the Museum and the desire for patrons to celebrate the work and vision of Dr. King only goes to show that his work continues to motivate all of us to keep working for a brighter, more equitable world. Thank you to all those who participated in the celebration and who helped us create such a joyous event.