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Louisiana Contemporary 2025 Presented by The Helis Foundation

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Louisiana Contemporary 2025 Presented by The Helis Foundation


Susan Ireland, 1950s Buick, 2023, Enamels, 31 x 42 inches, Collection of the artist


August 2, 2025 to January 4, 2026

Ogden Museum of Southern Art first launched Louisiana Contemporary, presented by The Helis Foundation in 2012, as an annual survey exhibition that would bring to the fore the work of artists living in Louisiana and highlight the dynamism of art practice throughout the state. Since the inaugural exhibition thirteen years ago, Ogden Museum has shown works by over 600 artists, making Louisiana Contemporary an important moment in the national arts calendar to recognize and experience the spectrum and vitality of artistic voices emanating from New Orleans and in art communities across Louisiana.

This statewide, juried exhibition promotes contemporary art practices in the state of Louisiana, provides exhibition space for the exposition of living artists’ work and engages a national audience that recognizes the vibrant visual arts culture of Louisiana and the role of New Orleans as a rising, international art center.

Juror Daniel S. Palmer, PhD, Chief Curator, SCAD Museum of Art, Savannah, Georgia, has selected 53 works by 50 artists from over 1,400 submissions.

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2025 artists

Vee Adams
Natalie Armstrong
Jourdan Barnes
Megan Barra
Erin Bennett
Jessica Bertsch
Courtney Buckley
Annelise Kristine Contini
Dartanya Croff
Brandon Felix
Laura Gipson
Ronna S. Harris
Lois Hébert
Sally Heller
Deniz Türkoğlu Hewes
André Hubbard
Kathryn Hunter

Susan Ireland
Jeremy Jernegan
Miles B. Jordan
Mary J. Kirsch
Frahn Koerner
Lily LaGrange
Diego Larguia
Katie LaRocca
Andrew Liles
Katie McCall
Monette McCullough
Bridget McEnerney
Khalil McKnight
Joelle Nagy
Dominick Navarra
Dung “Donkey” Nguyen

Nikki Nolan
Karen Ocker
Rhett Pritchard
Matthew Rosenbeck
Taylor Sacco
Katie Singleton
Melissa Smith
Billy Solitario
Alice St. Germain
Holly Sutherlin
Lue Svendson
Whitney Tates
Trenity Thomas
Emery Tillman
Paige Valente
Natalie Vitrano
William Willoughby


About the Juror

Photo courtesy Awol Erizku

Daniel S. Palmer is chief curator at the SCAD Museum of Art in Savannah, Georgia. Previously, he was curator at Public Art Fund, New York, where he organized twenty exhibitions. He has also served as the Leon Levy Assistant Curator at the Jewish Museum and Curatorial Research Assistant at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Palmer has curated numerous exhibitions independently and has contributed writing to many artist monographs, publications and journals. He holds a Ph.D. and M.Phil in art history from the CUNY Graduate Center and a B.A. from Rutgers University.


Juror Statement

The 2025 edition of Louisiana Contemporary, presented by The Helis Foundation, is a polyphony of vibrant voices. Collectively, these artworks showcase the visual culture of Louisiana and emphasize New Orleans’ central position as a rising, international art center today. This exhibition continues the tradition of highlighting the state’s brightest luminaries and freshest new voices equally, displaying a range of creative approaches in various media that reflect the myriad worldviews and perspectives of this thriving place.

As I approached the daunting honor of selecting this year’s artworks from the nearly 1,500 applications submitted, I kept humming a tune that led me to the exhibition’s (unofficial) subtitle and theme: “New Orleanian Love Song.” This rousing track from Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah’s 2017 album, Ruler Rebel is a stunning tour-de-force ode to his hometown, which perfectly expresses the welcoming generosity of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana, as well as the electric sense of inspiration and excitement that flutters within me every time I visit.

The artworks exhibited here instill the same sense of greatness and poetry through the lyrical ways that they convey the breathtaking essence of this place and its people: the revelatory paintings divulge the face and feeling of the region’s landscape and natural setting, the nuanced photographs of the multitudes of individuals and communities disclose the range of emotions and encounters they experience every day, and the multi-media works extrapolate the historic power and sense of tradition that undergirds the area’s heritage while also serving as building blocks for growth and a hopeful tomorrow. Whether figurative or abstract, all of these components are translated to something that communicates resilience and universal creative inclusion. I see every one of the artworks here as emblematic of the Adjuah’s evocation of the state and its aura – a place and feeling unlike any other – perfectly communicated in the trumpeter’s welcoming, shouting blasts, the piano’s driving, embracing melody and the rhythmic percussion’s invitation for us to step together in time.

And yet, this tune and the works here that it reflects are also a bit haunting at times – eerie even – like a lonely, late walk home past the sleepy buildings and yawning branches, past the lanes and among the paved puddles that ripple lament. But that journey and that feeling of longing always implies the other – our collective destination. Toward what end is this yearning, craving, eager New Orleanian Love Song paean penned? I sense a clarion clarity from the powerful, profoundly beautiful and complex artworks shared here. These hymns of praise, thanksgiving and triumph speak of hope – a growing sense of human increase, a rising tide of love and reaching. They stretch outward toward collectivity and community, ever forward, flowing into the breach, culminating in an ebullient sense of unceasing collective joy. We grow together as one.

Daniel S. Palmer, PhD
Chief Curator, SCAD Museum of Art, Savannah, Georgia


Gallery

Vee Adams, The Slippery Wet of the New (Another World is Possible), 2025, Textile banner: Screenprinted fabric, sequins, mesh, ruffles, quilting batting, thread, found wood, encaustic and plastic chain. Wallpaper: CMYK screenprint on paper, 72 x 72 x 1 inches, Collection of the artist
¡Fifi Gi! Storied Collage Art by Natalie Armstrong, T’es Belle Comme Une Fleur, 2025, Mixed media digital and analog collage on wood panel with attached 3D elements (red beans, dried okra, Spanish moss), 31 x 12 inches, Collection of the artist
Jourdan Barnes, Rooted in Flow, 2024, Digital Photography 20 x 30 inches Collection of the artist
Megan Barra, Orleans Avenue, 2024, Silk composition, 30 x 30 inches, Collection of the artist
Erin Bennett, Patiently, 2025, Acrylic paint on cardboard, twine, recycled goods, 22 x 18 inches, Collection of the artist
Jessica Bertsch, Exposed, 2025, Charcoal and pastel on Strathmore paper, 24 x 18 inches, Collection of the artist
Courtney Buckley, The Hot Boys, 2024, Acrylic on canvas, 48 x 48 inches, Collection of the artist
Annelise Kristine Contini, Naimah Zulu, 2025, Photo print, 18 x 12 inches, Collection of the artist
Dartanya Croff, bell hooks, 2025, Acrylic yarn, Collection of the artist
Brandon Felix, Mardi Gras Trippin’, 2025, Acrylic paint on canvas, 24 x 36 inches, Collection of the artist
Laura Gipson, Caught Up in Everything, 2024, Wire, abaca, glue, paint, fiber fill, 30 x 24 x 21 inches, Collection of the artist
Ronna S. Harris, Memorie of a Reflective Past, 2024, Oil, 45 x 60 inches, Collection of the artist
Lois Hébert, The Pardoning of the Crawfish, 2025, Photography, 18 x 26 inches, Collection of the artist
Sally Heller, In Mid-Air, 2025, Video, Collection of the artist
Deniz Türkoğlu, Hewes, One Look is Like a Thousand Looks, 2024, Photograph, 27 x 40 inches, Collection of the artist
Andre’ Hubbard, OH! THE PLACES WE WILL GO!!!, 2024 Photography 36 x 24 inches, Collection of the artist
Andre’ Hubbard, CHAMELEON THERE FOR I AM, 2025, Photography, 36 x 24 inches, Collection of the artist
Kathryn Hunter, Indelible Tales, 2024, Wool appliqué, embroidery, hand sewing and quilting, machine piecing, cotton, fluorescent, glow-in-the-dark and cotton threads (with framed letterpress printed 12″ x 9″ info-graphic), 28.75 x 53 inches, Collection of the artist
Susan Ireland, 1950s Buick, 2023, Enamels, 31 x 42 inches, Collection of the artist
Jeremy Jernegan, Bait, 2025, Ceramic and stainless steel, 21 x 57 inches, Collection of the artist
Miles B. Jordan, Black Pride NOLA Double Exposure #1, 2025, Digital photography double exposure, 12 x 12 inches, Collection of the artist
Mary J. Kirch, Sweet Southern Azalea, 2025, Watercolor on paper, 15 x 22 inches, Collection of the artist
Frahn Koerner, It’s OK!!!, 2025, Puzzle pieces from photographs, 18 x 24 inches each, Collection of the artist
Lily LaGrange, A Place to Appear, 2023, Archival inkjet print, 16 x 20 inches, Collection of the artist
Diego Larguia, Refinery, 2025, Watercolor, 12 x 16 inches, Collection of the artist
Katie LaRocca, Magic of Fest Season, 2023, Photography, 10 x 8 inches, Collection of the artist
Andrew Liles, Three Towers of Water, All Living I Reckon, 2023, Pencil and watercolor, 14 x 11 inches, Collection of the artist
Katie McCall, Folded Fabric #10, 2023, Acrylic on sculpted t-shirt fabric, paint, resin, wire, 18 x 3 x 2 inches, Collection of the artist
Monette McCullough, Between Rocheblave and Dorgenois, 2024, Art Quilt made with all cotton batik and solid color fabrics, batting and threads, 35.75 x 38.5 inches, Collection of the artist
Bridget McEnerney, “A most Per ect”, 2024, Oil on canvas, 30 x 40 inches, Collection of the artist
Khalil McKnight, Suit Up, 2024, Oil on canvas, 60 x 36 inches, Collection of the artist
Joelle Nagy, Twin Vigil, 2025, Oil on canvas, 48 x 48 inches, Collection of the artist
Dominick Navarra, Fatman, 2025, Spray paint, acrylic and found aluminum on birch plywood, 38 x 30 inches, Collection of the artist
Dung “Donkey” Nguyen, Lions & Luchas, 2024, Photography, 16 x 24 inches, Collection of the artist
Nikki Nolan, Atrium, 2025, Acrylic on canvas, 58 x 48 inches, Collection of the artist
Karen Ocker, Temple of the Innocent Blood, 2023, Oil painting on board, upholstery fabric, reclaimed wood, spindle, cast iron grate and trombone parts, 38 x 24.5 x 7.5 inches, Collection of the artist
Karen Ocker, A Bright Day Ahead, 2025, Oil painting on board, framed with reclaimed wood and cast-iron sewing machine parts, 30.25 x 22 x 3 inches, Collection of the artist
Karen Ocker, Olympia, 2025, Oil painting on board, framed with reclaimed wood, spindles and trombone and cymbal parts, 35.5 x 24 x 8 inches, Collection of the artist
Rhett Pritchard, Dwelling in the Glow, 2024, Long exposure photography, 16 x 20 inches, Collection of the artist
Matthew Rosenbeck, 28 Images, 2024, Flood damaged canvas stretchers, 72 x 34 x 4 inches, Collection of the artist
Taylor Sacco, Contours Carried Like a Flag, 2025, Archival pigment print, 30 x 24 inches, Collection of the artist
Katie Singleton, God Willing and the Creek Don’t Rise, 2025, Hand embroidery on tarp, 55 x 42.5 inches, Collection of the artist
Melissa Smith, Black Cat Fireworks, 2024, Watercolor on paper, 16 x 18 inches, Collection of the artist
Billy Solitario, Crawfish with a View, 2024, Oil on canvas 36 x 36 inches Collection of the artist
Alice St. Germain, Forgotten Chair, 2023, Watercolor, 20.75 x 16.5 inches, Collection of the artist
Holly Sutherlin, Venus at the End of the World, 2025, Photographic print, 20 x 16 inches, Collection of the artist
Lue Svendson, Sunlight and Shadows, 2024, Oil on board, 11 x 14 inches, Collection of the artist
Whitney Tates, Deer Mask, 2024, Acrylic, 10 x 8 inches, Collection of the artist
Trenity Thomas, Expansion, 2025, Digital print, 24 x 36 inches, Collection of the artist
Emery Tillman, Softness is Power, 2025, Vintage dead stock bugle beads, thread, 8 x 14 inches, Collection of the artist
Paige Valente, Ladies and Gentlemen, People With Jobs, People Without Jobs, Middle Class, Upper Class, High Class, Cats, Snakes, Chickens, Ducks, Elderly People, and Twerkers, I Presents to You…, 2024, Acrylic on raw canvas, fabric, 20 x 16 inches, Collection of the artist
Natalie Vitrano, Leake Avenue Train Undercarriage, 2025, Watercolor, 22 x 30 inches, Collection of the artist
William Willoughby, Midnight in Glass, 2025, Photography, 24 x 16 inches, Collection of the artist

Presenting Sponsor

The Helis Foundation believes in the transformative power of art.  Whether to preserve culture, enrich lives, foster community, invigorate conversation or challenge mindset, The Helis Foundation is dedicated to supporting, cultivating,and celebrating the vibrant arts scene in the greater New Orleans area. By providing access to works of art from world-renowned artists both local and international, The Helis Foundation provides vital resources, encourages artistic excellence and promotes accessibility and diversity through art.

learn more about the helis foundation

 


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Museum Hours

Come See the South 7 Days a Week!

Monday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.*
Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The last admission to the Museum is 4:45 p.m.

*Thursday admission from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. is free to Louisiana residents, courtesy of The Helis Foundation

Current Exhibitions

  • 12th Annual HBCU Art Showcase Presented by The New Orleans (LA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated
  • Matt Scobey: Case Study Selected Works 2018-2025
  • The Unending Stream: Chapter I

See The Collection

French Quarter BuildingsStruggling Tiger in Hard TimesUntitled [Composition 21]The CatcherUntitledPelicans

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