A Museum Moving Ahead


Usually, the “Magnolia Ball” is a big celebration at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art with halls filled with DJs, food, drinks, art and dancing. Since patrons couldn’t safely gather this year, “Magnolia Ball” turned virtual and offered a magnificent online silent auction that featured over 60 works by Southern artists and businesses. Artists and businesses who participated in the auction were able to receive a portion of the proceeds and, in total, over $17,200 was raised.

The “Magnolia Ball Silent Auction” raised awareness and funds for the museum’s mission to share the art and culture of the American South. This year celebrated the museum’s two current exhibitions, “Revelations: Recent Photography Acquisitions” and “Entwined: Ritual Wrapping and Binding in Contemporary Southern Art.” The Ogden reopened in June, and both exhibitions are still on view. The exhibitions can also be seen virtually with video tours available at OgdenMuseum.org.

The auction included works of art by Muffin Bernstein, Anita Cooke, Ashley Lorraine, Juliet Meeks, Kelly Mueller, Jonathan Traviesa and many more artists. It also featured items from local businesses, including gift certificates from The Franklin and Dancing Grounds, a door hanger from Home Malone, a month-long membership to New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute’s NOCHI Together program and a gift set from French Truck.

Ogden Museum released two Curated Conversation videos in conjunction with the auction. Curator of the Collection, Bradley Sumrall, spoke with Sharon Kopriva, an artist featured in “Entwined.” Photographer David McCarty had a discussion with Curator of Photography Richard McCabe.

Additionally, the Ogden created a Spotify playlist to accompany the auction. The 2020 Chairmen were Shannon Moon, Meghan Parson, Sharonda Williams, Justin Woods, Matthew Moreland and Patrick Welsh. Φ

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Event at a Glance

What: “Magnolia Ball Silent Auction,” benefiting the Ogden Museum of Southern Art
When: Monday, June 22-Sunday, June 28
Where: Virtual

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