This past Saturday, just like the first Saturday of every August, was White Linen Night in the Arts District of New Orleans. I haven't seen such a crowd for a long time and although the weather was hot, hot, hot, it didn't appear to keep anyone from coming out, cruising through the art galleries and enjoying food and drinks all along Julia Street.
My husband and I are lucky enough to have friends who live in a great loft near Julia Street, so we parked by the Piazza d'Italia and headed up 3 flights of stairs to enjoy the rooftop view, some great company and a little wine before taking to the streets with the throngs.
People were packed into the streets and some of the lucky early arrivals managed to grab the tables that were set up along the way. Not all linen, but white was the color du jour for the festivities. Most of the galleries were so crowded that we didn't bother to wait in the long lines for entry, but just peered through the windows at some of the displays.
I know that there are folks who complain about there not being enough local artists represented at these displays and I understand where they are coming from. We have such a wonderful pool of New Orleans talent that it shouldn't be necessary to go outside of the city, but isn't the whole point of the night to expose as many people as possible to as many styles of art as possible, no matter who the artist is?
If I'm torn between two pieces and one is produced locally and one is not, believe me, I will ALWAYS buy local first. That doesn't, however, keep me from enjoying all of the work from artists who have taken the time to bring their visions to life and share them with us.
If you weren't there, you missed a good time and should plan to attend next year. Hopefully, I'll see you and we can meet in the streets of NOLA!
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Lisa, I love art....all kinds. I know I would have been one of those people waiting in line to get into some of those galleries. It looks and sounds like you had a fabulous time.