Spring fundraiser celebrates the design legacy of landscape architect Ellen Shipman.
NEW ORLEANS – Longue Vue House and Gardens is thrilled to present its upcoming Design Symposium, SHIPMANIA: In the spirit of a pioneering woman, happening March 25 to 27, 2026, with a free Community Design Day on March 28.
Longue Vue’s annual Design Symposium spotlights the importance of landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman (1869-1950) as one of the first American women to lead a major design studio, and her inspiring personal story as a single mom building a career in a professional environment unfavorable to women.
Shipman was the principal designer of Longue Vue’s eight-acre campus and the interior designer of the 22,000-square-foot historic house. From 1935 to 1950, she led a holistic vision connecting garden rooms, architecture, and interiors and resulting in one of the most important garden estates of the 20th century. In honor of her pioneering spirit, Design Symposium 2026 will bring together national luminaries in design for thought-provoking conversations and presentations, highlighting some of the most creative design work taking place today. The event will raise funds to preserve Shipman’s design signature at Longue Vue.
This year’s Symposium honors Judith Tankard, Shipman’s biographer and leading authority on female American landscape architects. The event will present visionary designers who, like Shipman in her day, are shaping our lived experiences and informing the multidimensional field of design in the 21st century. They include landscape architect Kate Orff; Jacqueline Terrebonne, editor-in-chief, Galerie magazine; Renee Royale, Longue Vue’s artist-in-residence; Givonna Joseph and Aria Mason, founders of OperaCréole; A.J. Allegra, artistic director of Le Petit Theatre; DéAndre Beverly, president and CEO of the Fashion Council of New Orleans; interior designer Barrie Benson and gallery owner Martine Chaisson Linares.
“Longue Vue has always been a space where creative design inspires both connection and reflection,” says Baty Landis, Longue Vue executive director. “The brilliant designers featured in this year’s Design Symposium continue this legacy through new, often provocative, always creative dialogues for the 21st century.”
Design Symposium week offers a wealth of unique opportunities to engage with the presenters, participate in discussions, and explore the ways design impacts our lives, all while honoring pioneering female entrepreneurship by both Shipman and Tankard. We invite you to come connect with like-minded individuals and celebrate shared passion for design and architecture.
Event Highlights:
Tuesday, March 24 | 5:00 - 7:00PM
Symposium Eve: Join us for the opening of Artist-in-Residence, Renee Royale’s exhibit, Shadow Work: Photograms and Other Explorations. Music on Spanish Court with Or Shovaly as part of our Twilight at Longue Vue spring series.
Wednesday, March 25 | 5:00 - 7:00PM
Design and the Natural Environment, featuring landscape architect Kate Orff and artist-in-residence Renee Royale in conversation with Jacqueline Terrebonne, editorin-chief, Galerie magazine.
Includes an opening and closing cocktail reception, featuring hors d’oeuvres by Magasin Vietnamese Cafe against the stunning backdrop of Longue Vue. Guests can preview a new exhibit by Renee Royale in the Longue Vue Playhouse.
Thursday, March 26 | 11:00AM - 2:00PM
Setting the Stage: Design and the Theatrical Arts, featuring a special performance by OperaCréole and conversation with Givonna Joseph, Aria Mason, and Le Petit Theatre artistic director A.J. Allegra, as well as a reception featuring a behind-the-scenes photo shoot with the Fashion Council of New Orleans.
Friday, March 27 | 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Design and Interior Environments, honoring Judith Tankard and featuring Barrie Benson in conversation with Martine Chaisson Linares. Pattern and Place exhibit on view.
Includes a coffee chat, reception with coffee and mimosa bar, and picnic lunch by Magasin Vietnamese Cafe in the gardens.
March 28 | 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Community Design Day.
Free gardens admissions for all. Special design-related programming for all ages, including a cyanotype activity led by artist-in-residence Renee Royale and literacy activities from the Emma Brown Reading Program.
Artist-in-Residence
We are excited to welcome Renee Royale to Longue Vue for the month of March. Renee is a research-based and process-oriented visual artist whose practice operates at the intersections of media, philosophy, and ecology. She will create a body of photographic work on site during her residency and present it in an exhibit opening Tuesday, March 24.
Limited Tickets Available
Secure your spot now for an immersive experience honoring the influential design legacy of Ellen Shipman. For more information, sponsorship opportunities, and to register, visit Design Symposium – Longue Vue House and Gardens.
Longue Vue would like to recognize the work of 2026 Design Symposium chairs, Tyson Geary and Anne Lykes Woodward; past chairs, Lauren Doussan and Catherine Makk; Board President Marilee Hovet and Development Chair Helen Young; and the Design Symposium 2026 host committee. We offer special thanks to all of our sponsors.
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Attached: Images of Design Symposium 2025. Images of 2026 presenters available upon request.
About Longue Vue House and Gardens:
Established in 1921 as a private residence and bequeathed in 1980 as a community space, Longue Vue today blends the educational opportunity of a history museum with the thoughtful design and community service of a public garden. Through environmental stewardship and public programming on our eight-acre, National Historic Landmark site, we honor the vision of our founders and further a mission “to preserve and share a legacy of design, community, and lifelong learning.”
For media inquiries, interviews, or additional information, please contact:
Amy Barrios, 504-621-5646, amy@mmsnola.com