The Ogden Museum of Southern Art’s O What a Night Gala attracted an art star-studded crowd who gathered to celebrate artists — and fundraise to keep this important institution open for years to come.
Held Oct. 18 at the museum, the party started in the Patrick F. Taylor Library, where guests bid on silent auction items and listened to music from the Red Hot Brass Band.
Soon, they were led to an adjacent tent where glittering tables awaited and music from Jeremy Davenport greeted. The food for the night was by Palate New Orleans, prepared by Glenn Vatshell, with a dessert provided by NOCHI.
John Calhoun was the live auctioneer for 13 items from artists Evan Hendricks, Kaori Maeyama, Debbie Fleming Caffery, Ron Bechet, Christian Dinh, Gregory B. Sanders, Kenny Nguyen, Hunt Slonem, David Harouni, Andrew LaMar Hopkins, Mallory Page, Michael J. Deas and Dawn DeDeaux. The icing on the cake was the paddle raise, which was one of the highest in the gala’s history.
The 2025 Opus Award winners were Randy K. Haynie, a longtime museum supporter and art collector and advocate, and renowned artist Dawn DeDeaux, who would be one of the two New Orleans artists (the other is Big Chief Demond Melancon) asked to participate International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, May 9-Nov. 22.
Soon, it was time for less serious matters, and The Essentials took to the stage to get partygoers on the dance floor to celebrate an successful night.
Event co-chairs were Fern Watters and Kaye Courington.
Fun Fact: Kaye Courington hosted the patron party, sponsored by Beverly Dale, on Oct. 16.
