A new era in contemporary Southern art is set to begin in the heart of New Orleans’ Arts District as the Orleans Gallery officially opens its doors on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Located at 603 Julia Street, the gallery inhabits a storied space—the historic building that once housed the Ogden Museum of Southern Art—and revives the name of the legendary Royal Street artist cooperative that helped define the city’s modern art movement from 1956 to 1973.
The New Orleans Gallery, founded by Louisiana Art LLC under the leadership of art dealer and Louisiana native Cayman Clevenger, aims to reestablish New Orleans as a national hub for contemporary Southern art. Clevenger, a Tulane University graduate who earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University, brings not only curatorial vision but also a deep commitment to arts advocacy and storytelling. Since returning to New Orleans after law school, he has developed a reputation for promoting a diverse range of local artists, often spotlighting voices that challenge and expand the traditional Southern narrative.
“Beyond being an incredible gallerist, Cayman is a renowned art dealer, writer, investor, and collector,” says internationally celebrated artist Andrew LaMar Hopkins, whose work has been featured in The New York Times and Garden & Gun. “His passion for art is evident, and everything he does—his advocacy and support of me and my work—has been both humbling and inspiring.”
The Grand Opening celebration on Saturday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. will include live music, local cuisine, and a rare opportunity for the public to meet and interact with some of the most talented artists in the region. The inaugural exhibitions—Louisiana Creole Gumbo by Hopkins and Stillwater Tales by New York Times best-selling illustrator Adam Trest—set the tone for a gallery that promises both regional grounding and national reach.
In addition to these featured exhibitions, the gallery will showcase works by more than 20 renowned and emerging artists from across Louisiana and the South, including Clementine Hunter, Blake Boyd, Earl Dismuke, Jean Marcel St Jacques, and Joe Mustashia. Monthly solo exhibitions will coincide with the popular First Saturday Art Walks hosted by Arts District New Orleans, further embedding the gallery in the city’s cultural fabric.
The Orleans Gallery is poised to become a dynamic space for creative expression, community engagement, and cultural reflection. By honoring the legacy of its namesake cooperative while boldly stepping into the future, the gallery aims to be a vital contributor to the city’s ever-evolving art scene.
For more information, visit www.OrleansGallery.com, follow @OrleansGallery on Instagram, or contact the gallery at gallery@orleansgallery.com.
Event Details:
Opening Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location: Orleans Gallery, 603 Julia Street, New Orleans, LA
Featured Exhibitions:
- Louisiana Creole Gumbo by Andrew LaMar Hopkins
- Stillwater Tales by Adam Trest
Additional Artists Represented:
Blake Boyd, Clementine Hunter, Joe Mustashia, Jean Marcel St Jacques, John Bukaty, Tony Bernard, Stephanie Torregrosa Gaffney, Russell Whiting, Kloe Donley, Josh Wingerter, Fnnch, Craig McMillan, Earl Dismuke, Chris Holcombe, Church Going Mule, Alltmont Sculptures, Dapper Bruce Laffite, Mason, Rachel Depauw, and Lauren West.
