New Orleans Artists Receive Help From ...

New Orleans Artists Receive Help From ...

... Generous New Yorkers

From the Art of New York - World Financial Center

By Stephanie Simon
www.fromtheartofnewyork.org
Original source: http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=120&aid=56842

Some New Orleans artists are getting ready for an upcoming exhibition in Manhattan. In the following report, NY1's Stephanie Simon introduces us to one of the organizers, a New Yorker who recently moved back to her native New Orleans. For her and many others, every day is a constant balancing act between the stark realities and looking on the bright side.

Usually, visiting your hometown is very nostalgic. For Katie Landry, visiting what was her parents house in the Lakeview neighborhood of New Orleans only makes her wonder about the future and whether her parents should try to rebuild.

“That's how far the water came up and sat in the house, and this water sat for like three or four weeks,” she says.

Landry’s parents are now living with her grandparents and sister on the outskirts of town. Landry recently returned to New Orleans from Manhattan to get an MBA.

And yet despite the grim situation, people of New Orleans seem to find a way to celebrate. Landry helped organize this shindig.

“Well, you know, we turn everything into a party down here,” she says.

A party at the Robert Bruno Gallery in the arts district of New Orleans was a send-off of sorts. Dozens of Gulf Coast artists are sending their work to New York City for an exhibition and auction at the World Financial Center in late February.

The event is called "From the Art of New York." Originally it was New York artists donating art work to raise money for the Gulf Coast, but while Landry was still in New York she suggested bringing up work from her hometown and giving them back 50 percent of the proceeds of their work.

The other 50 percent goes to rebuilding efforts.

“Hopefully some of these artists will get to sell some of their works, and some of the people in New York will be exposed to the wonderful artists we have down here,” says gallery owner Robert Bruno.

Artists from Louisiana and Mississippi continue to be affected by the storm's aftermath.

“I had a lot of work in mother's home which was flooded a foot short of the ceiling,” says artist Emery Clark.

“I lost all of my artwork. In fact, I've done my painting on found window debris,” says fellow artist Kelly Lane.

“I had a home and a studio, which were both destroyed,” adds Pat Walker-Fields, another New Orleans artist.

“What I lost was my community of artists,” says artist Lory Lockwood.

The event featured Al “Carnival Time” Johnson singing carnival tunes.

So, how do you know you’re at a real ‘Nawlins party? Well, not only did they have red beans and rice, they’ve also got the local drink nectar soda. They call it “Mardi Gras in a bottle.”

They'll be a lot more revelry when Mardi Gras rolls around in a few short weeks.


Home The Artist Paintings New Paintings & Events Press Prints Commissions Resume Contact/Purchase Links	New Orleans Artists Receive Help From ... ... Generous New Yorkers From the Art of New York - World Financial Center By Stephanie Simon www.fromtheartofnewyork.org Original source: http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=120&aid=56842 Some New Orleans artists are getting ready for an upcoming exhibition in Manhattan. In the following report, NY1's Stephanie Simon introduces us to one of the organizers, a New Yorker who recently moved back to her native New Orleans. For her and many others, every day is a constant balancing act between the stark realities and looking on the bright side. Usually, visiting your hometown is very nostalgic. For Katie Landry, visiting what was her parents house in the Lakeview neighborhood of New Orleans only makes her wonder about the future and whether her parents should try to rebuild. “That's how far the water came up and sat in the house, and this water sat for like three or four weeks,” she says. Landry’s parents are now living with her grandparents and sister on the outskirts of town. Landry recently returned to New Orleans from Manhattan to get an MBA. And yet despite the grim situation, people of New Orleans seem to find a way to celebrate. Landry helped organize this shindig. “Well, you know, we turn everything into a party down here,” she says. A party at the Robert Bruno Gallery in the arts district of New Orleans was a send-off of sorts. Dozens of Gulf Coast artists are sending their work to New York City for an exhibition and auction at the World Financial Center in late February. The event is called "From the Art of New York." Originally it was New York artists donating art work to raise money for the Gulf Coast, but while Landry was still in New York she suggested bringing up work from her hometown and giving them back 50 percent of the proceeds of their work. The other 50 percent goes to rebuilding efforts. “Hopefully some of these artists will get to sell some of their works, and some of the people in New York will be exposed to the wonderful artists we have down here,” says gallery owner Robert Bruno. Artists from Louisiana and Mississippi continue to be affected by the storm's aftermath. “I had a lot of work in mother's home which was flooded a foot short of the ceiling,” says artist Emery Clark. “I lost all of my artwork. In fact, I've done my painting on found window debris,” says fellow artist Kelly Lane. “I had a home and a studio, which were both destroyed,” adds Pat Walker-Fields, another New Orleans artist. “What I lost was my community of artists,” says artist Lory Lockwood. The event featured Al “Carnival Time” Johnson singing carnival tunes. So, how do you know you’re at a real ‘Nawlins party? Well, not only did they have red beans and rice, they’ve also got the local drink nectar soda. They call it “Mardi Gras in a bottle.” They'll be a lot more revelry when Mardi Gras rolls around in a few short weeks.
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