"Hayward Oubre: Structural Integrity"
Opening at the New Orleans Museum of Art on January 30 and closing on May 3, "Hayward Oubre: Structural Integrity" is the first monographic exhibition dedicated to the work of American modernist, Hayward L. Oubre, Jr. (1916–2006). Born in New Orleans in 1916, Oubre became the first student to graduate with a bachelor of fine arts degree from Dillard University. Through 52 sculptures, paintings, and prints, the exhibition reveals how the artist shaped American art while working in the South, and underscores the crucial role of Black artists and art departments at HBCUs in shaping the artistic landscape of the twentieth century.
30th Anniversary National Conference of Artists Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Art Exhibition
On view at Ashé Cultural Arts Center (1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd) and the Ashé Power House Theatre (1731 Baronne St), this exhibit celebrates the 30th Anniversary National Conference of Artists Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Art Exhibition. This year's theme, "Love in action: African Roots-American Fruits," focuses on the deep connections between African heritage and American culture, showcasing their enduring impact. See it now through March 31.
Widely regarded as the most important photographer of jazz musicians after World War II, Herman Leonard’s atmospheric images capture legendary figures of the bebop and cool jazz eras and represent one of the most significant visual records of post-war American jazz. The exhibition is especially meaningful in New Orleans. Leonard made the city his home later in life, and Ogden Museum played a critical role in safeguarding his negative archive during Hurricane Katrina. This presentation marks a powerful return to that legacy. "Herman Leonard: Images of Jazz" will be on view from January 29 through July 12.
In 1895, the art department of H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College, a women’s school in New Orleans, established Newcomb College Pottery to allow graduates to apply their design training and earn an income. Although the pottery’s aesthetic evolved and expanded into other media over time, its emphasis on Southern identity persisted until its closure in 1939. Drawn from the permanent collection of the Newcomb Art Museum of Tulane University, this exhibition examines how these works helped construct and circulate enduring ideas about the American South. See it on view from February 5 - December 4.
"Making Her Mark" traces the stages of pottery production within the Newcomb Pottery business model. The exhibition documents the full scope of this enterprise, from classroom training and production to bookkeeping and sales. Over its 53-year history, Newcomb Pottery employed more than 90 women artists and produced over 70,000 unique works. See it at Newcomb Art Museum from February 5 - May 15.
