(NEW ORLEANS) – In honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ogden Museum of Southern Art, in collaboration with local nonprofits, artists, poets and educators, will host the Museum’s 4th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on Monday, January 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This special event will feature free admission and a scavenger hunt at Ogden Museum, plus a full day of free online programming that can be enjoyed from home.

Online programming includes:

• Dance performance by Dancing Grounds

• Spotify playlist by Ogden Museum Teen Interns with songs, spoken word and rhythm to challenge, inspire and promote non-violent communication within our hearts, minds and communities

• Virtual tour focused on the Civil Rights Movement and the work of Ogden Museum permanent collection photographer, Ernest C. Withers

• Storytime with the Early Literacy Librarians from the New Orleans Public Library (ages 4-8). Librarians will share a special selection of books and songs illustrating a world without racism, and tell stories about Martin Luther King, Jr. and youth involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. The storytime program includes a reading of “Martin’s Dream” by Jane Kurtz, “A Sweet Smell of Roses” by Angela Johnson and “What Wonderful World” by George David Weiss.

• Spoken word performances by poets from the Bard Early College Poetry Club

• Virtual community word cloud inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

• 60 minute mindfulness meditation on peace and how to cultivate this quality within ourselves, our communities and on the planet as a whole

• Storytelling and a presentation on Dr. King titled, “10 Fun Facts on Dr. King,” with New Orleans native and educator Andrea Heard

In addition, 500 free art activity bags, which explore the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement through art making, are available for pick up at Ogden Museum and all New Orleans Public Libraries starting Tuesday, January 12. The bags include step-by-step instructions and all supplies.

At the Museum, in addition to free admission, patrons of all ages can participate in a scavenger hunt exploring works on view that speak to racial justice. Participants are entered to win a family membership to Ogden Museum, an Ogden Museum Art Box and an Ogden Museum prize bag. Winners will be selected Tuesday, January 19.

This event was made possible through the support of OcshnerServes, a volunteer program that connects Ochsner employees to volunteer efforts in their communities. Ocshner employees volunteered to assemble 500 art activity bags for the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.

“We are thrilled to present this annual celebration of Dr. King’s life and legacy,” says Ellen Balkin, Director of Education at Ogden Museum. “Using the healing power of art, we hope that this program will provide inspiration and insight into how we can create a more just world.”

Ogden Museum encourages patrons to reserve free timed tickets online at www.ogdenmuseum.org. Museum capacity has been reduced to 25% and health and safety measures are in place in accordance with local, state and CDC guidelines. Social distancing and masks are required.

For additional information, please contact Melissa Kenyon, Director of Marketing for Ogden Museum, at mkenyon@ogdenmuseum.org.

About Ogden Museum of Southern Art

Located in the vibrant Warehouse Arts District of downtown New Orleans, Louisiana since 1999, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art welcomes visitors to experience and learn about the artists and art movements of the American South. It is home to a collection of more than four thousand works, making it the largest and most comprehensive repository dedicated to Southern art in the nation, with particular strength in the genres of Self-Taught art, Regionalism, photography and contemporary art. The Museum is further recognized for its original exhibitions, public events and educational programs, which examine the development of visual art alongside Southern traditions of music, literature and local craft. Museum admission is free on Thursdays for Louisiana residents, courtesy of The Helis Foundation. The Museum is located at 925 Camp Street, New Orleans Louisiana 70130. For more information, visit www.ogdenmuseum.org.