Join us for Culture & Cocktails, Ogden Museum’s evening series celebrating art, ideas and conversation. This evening features Bradley Sumrall in conversation with Ligia M. Römer, Ph.D., RA, Executive Director, Dusti Bongé Art Foundation.

Begin your night with a private tour of Vicinal Visions Dusti Bongé, Ida Kohlmeyer & Dorothy Hood and with curator Bradley Sumrall while enjoying a signature cocktail inspired by its themes. After a quick introduction to Dusti Bongé, Dr. Römer will explore how the art scene of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and New Orleans has been intertwined for generations. The artists of Dusti’s generation brought a wealth of modern ideas to the region, allowing each to forge individual paths to create diverse bodies of work rooted in place. In Dusti Bongé’s case, the coast was a tremendous influence in her work, extending beyond the visual inspiration to her inner spirit and art. Without any self-conscious or deliberate intent, her work, in all its abstraction, embodies a true sense of place.

What to Expect:

• Start with an exclusive after-hours viewing of a featured exhibit
• Enjoy one complementary beverage included with registration (signature cocktail, mocktail, wine and beer available)
• Engage in a dynamic conversation with curators and special guests, delving into artistic styles, traditions, techniques and the rich stories behind the work

Advanced registration preferred.

$20 members / $25 not-yet-members

About Ligia M. Römer, Ph.D., RA

Ligia M. Römer is a licensed, registered architect with a doctorate in philosophy. Born and raised in Curaçao, she came to the U.S. in 1983 to study architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in upstate NY. Upon graduating she moved to Manhattan where she worked until acquiring her license to practice. At that point, she returned to graduate school to pursue a doctorate in philosophy at the CUNY Graduate School & University Center. During her graduate studies she started teaching architecture and established her practice, Bouwkunst, specializing in residential design. Upon receiving her Ph.D. she continued teaching architecture, including design studio, drawing, architectural history, as well as philosophy including aesthetics and philosophy of architecture. Eventually Römer’s teaching brought her down to Mississippi where she settled with her husband in Ocean Springs in 2000. She became an Adjunct Professor at Tulane University School of Architecture while continuing her practice in residential design. She also started pursuing her own abstract art more seriously. After 15 years in academia, Römer joined the staff at the Walter Anderson Museum of Art in 2010, serving as registrar for four years. In 2015 she started at the Dusti Bongé Art Foundation (DBAF) as registrar and curator. Currently, she is the Executive Director of the foundation.