Media Contact:
Sarah Story
Ogden Museum of Southern Art
925 Camp Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
504‐539‐9609
pr@ogdenmuseum.org 

 

NEW ORLEANS - September 19, 2014

On Saturday evening, October 18, 2014, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art will hold its annual fundraising gala, O What a Night!, offering an unparalleled celebration of Southern art, culture and cuisine. It will be a memorable evening highlighting the important mission of the Ogden Museum: to broaden the knowledge, understanding, interpretation and appreciation of the visual arts and culture of the American South.

O What A Night! is a nationally recognized celebration of high energy and patron commitment that has been profiled by both Elle Décor and Garden and Gun. This year's Gala chairs, Karen Solomon and Katy Weil, are designing an evening filled with the very best in Southern art, cuisine and music. The evening will pay homage to William A. Goldring, New Orleans philanthropist, Ogden Museum trustee and a founding benefactor, and 2014 Opus Award recipient. Mr. Goldring's contributions to the cultural landscape of the South have created an enduring legacy.

The evening will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a Silent Auction presented by New Orleans Auction Galleries in the historic Patrick Taylor Library designed by the iconic master architect Henry Hobson Richardson, with specialty cocktails presented by Sazerac, and hors d'oeuvres from Chef Justin Devillier, owner of La Petite Grocery. Chef Devillier received James Beard nominations for Best Chef South in 2012, 2013 and 2014. He was also featured on the most recent season of Bravo's "Top Chef." Additionally, Chef Devillier is preparing the cuisine for the Patron Party held at the home of Katy and Chris Weil.

The Silent Auction will showcase the works of 38 established and emerging talents from across the South, including Raine Bedsole, Martin Benson, Vidal Blankenstein, Andrew Bucci, Linda Burgess, Sally Chandler, Langdon Clay, Maude Schuyler Clay, Lee Deigaard, Marianne Desmarais, George Dunbar, Maggie Dunlap, William Dunlap, James Flynn, Sarah Freeman, William Goodman, Brian Guidry, William Guion, Doug Knotts, Sharon Kopriva, David Lambert, Beth Lambert, Norah Lovell, Shirley Rabe Masinter, Richard McCabe, Michael Meads, James Michalopoulos, David Rae Morris, Jack Niven, Sherry Owens, Mallory Page, Keith Perelli, Sibylle Peretti, Tom Rankin, Gregory Saunders, Richard Sexton, Julie Silvers, S.J. Staninski, Brandon Thibodeaux, Mose Tolliver, Eudora Welty, Milly Moorhead West, Mitchell Wright. Windsor Court Hotel, Bill Yates, and Sean Yseult.

Following the Silent Auction and cocktail reception, gala attendees will enjoy a seated dinner and meticulously crafted menu from nationally renowned Chef Donald Link, the recipient of several James Beard awards. Chef Link's New Orleans restaurants include Herbsaint, Cochon, Butcher, and Peche, which all celebrate Cajun and Southern regional cooking with an emphasis on locally sourced and sustainably raised ingredients.

The highly anticipated live auction will showcase the works of 14 artists who have generously contributed to the event. Attendees will have the opportunity to place bids on artwork by John Alexander, William Andrews, Thornton Dial, Michael J. Deas, William Dunlap, Lin Emery, Margaret Evangeline, Skylar Fein, Pinkney Herbert, Ida Kohlmeyer, Hunt Slonem, Allison Stewart, James Surls, and Robert Warrens.

Other featured items include a vintage red Miata convertible - gifted to the actor John Goodman by Steven Spielberg for his performance in Spielberg's 1989 film "Always" - as well as the return of the New Orleans Saints package, providing exclusive access during a home game to the winning bidder.

Auctioneer C K Swett joins the Ogden Museum for his second year at the O What a Night! Gala. His wild, auction-floor antics have earned him the nickname of "Mad-Hatter of Charity Auctions" by NBC, and the New York Times cites him as having "managed to shake up the staid world of auctioneering," however the auctioneer states his greatest pride - and privilege - is in helping non-profit institutions raise critical funding.

O What a Night! attracts more than 500 art enthusiasts from across the country and is one of the most highly anticipated social events of the year in New Orleans, selling out every year.

For more information or to purchase tickets to O What A Night! visit ogdenmuseum.org or contact development@ogdenmuseum.org or call (504) 539-9616.

Proceeds from the event will support the Museum's exhibition, education, and outreach programs.

 


Located in the vibrant Warehouse Arts District of downtown New Orleans, Louisiana, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art holds the largest collection of Southern art and is recognized for its original exhibitions, public events, and educational programs which examine the development of visual art alongside Southern traditions of music, literature, and culinary heritage to provide a comprehensive story of the South. Established in 1999 and in Stephen Goldring Hall since 2003, the Museum welcomes over 50,000 visitors annually, and attracts diverse audiences through its broad range of programming including exhibitions, lectures, film screenings, and concerts which are all part of its mission to broaden the knowledge, understanding, interpretation, and appreciation of the visual arts and culture of the American South.

The Ogden Museum is open Wednesday through Monday from 10AM-5PM and also on Thursdays from 6-8PM for Ogden After Hours. Admission is free to Museum Members and $10 for adults, $8 to seniors 65 and older, $5 for children ages 5-17 and free for children under 5. The Ogden Museum is free to Louisiana Residents on Thursdays from 10AM-5PM courtesy of The Helis Foundation.
The Museum is closed Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day following, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

The Museum is located at 925 Camp Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130. For more information visit ogdenmuseum.org or call 504-539-9650.

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