On the sultry summer evening of Saturday, August 1, an army of New Orleanians clad in their finest hot-weather attire swarmed the 300-800 blocks of Julia Street in search of potent cocktails, fine art and general revelry. With little more than hand-held fans to keep patrons cool, Whitney White Linen Night was a resounding success despite the climate, as nearly 1,000 people donned linen and seersucker to be seen on the scene. Cuisine was available on the street from the likes of Emeril’s, GW Fins, Wolfe’s in the Warehouse, Sun Ray Grill and Bombay Club, while cash bars stocked white wine and mojitos for thirsty pedestrians. Galleries were just as packed as the streets, with standout new works on display. “Storming the Ramparts: Objects of Evidence” and the Ogden Museum of the Southern Art was a big hit, as was “Trinket” at Arthur Roger Gallery and “Reclamation: 360 degrees” at the Jonathan Ferrara Gallery. When the galleries packed up at 9 p.m., the crowd shifted over to the exclusive after-party at the Contemporary Arts Center. Four art openings, DJ Soul Sister and DJ Beverly Skillz entertained until midnight, while food from The Melting Pot, 5 Fifty 5 and St. James Cheese Co. fed the masses. Cash bars were crowded with those clamoring for a “Dark and Stormy,” the party’s signature libation of dark rum and ginger beer, in honor of the “Storming the Ramparts” exhibition. In addition to title sponsor Whitney Bank, special thanks also went to sponsors Absolut vodka; Coca-Cola; Perrier Party Rentals; Gambit; and Deutsch, Kerrigan and Stiles.
Whitney White Linen Night takes cues from the art it celebrates.
