“New Orleans: Spirit a’ Risen”

Exhibit Opens at Artful Gallery Continues through June 26th

As they say in New Orleans, “Laissez les bons temps rouler! Let the good times roll!” That is exactly what happened last Friday evening when Bedonna Wakeman, Eric Buchanan and Veronica Leandrez debuted their New Orleans-inspired street art at Artful Gallery on Capitol Hill. Bedonna exclaimed that the musicians on her canvases seemed to come alive as Ginny Carr and Henning Hoehne played traditional jazz on keyboards and clarinet. Even when the gallery filled and the temperature started rising, guests were not deterred. Art and music combined to create an authentic New Orleans experience.

Prior to the opening of the show, the artists delivered a talk at the Library of Congress. The artists spoke about their personal experiences living and working in post-Katrina New Orleans, and then each showcased one of their paintings. Bedonna introduced “Boy of Hope,” a simple and elegant black youth holding an impressionist twig in one hand and a bird in the other. Eric described “Topsy Turvy,” a surrealistic portrait. The nude woman in the center of the canvas appears to be celebrating, while many others in the painting are featured upside down or sideways … reflecting a New Orleans that is still topsy turvy. Veronica presented a painting called Oshun Watches Over New Orleans, painted in commemoration of the Louisiana Bicentennial. The painting was exhibited at Barrister's Gallery "Louisiana Purchase Dismantled" Group Exhibit in 2003.

The artists sought to educate Washingtonians about the dire circumstances facing artists in New Orleans. Less than 15 percent of New Orleans’ street artists remain after Katrina as the absence of tourism impedes their ability to make a living. Veronica commented, “The role of the painter as a visual historian captures the facets of culture that are New Orleans heritage-- its character and diversity, its ability to rise above the struggles, and to experience a catharsis of healing arising out of trauma and adversity.”

“We returned to the city with a greater sense of personal responsibility to step more powerfully into the role of the artist as a cultural representative.” Eric spoke with a quiet passion. “After the levees failed, personally I wanted to show the world our culture, show that we are good, hard working people, not just our bad eggs the media kept showing over and over … Every day I find a new reason to love New Orleans more.”

“Being on the street, that’s my life,” says Wakeman. “I feel like an anchor and ambassador for the city. I want to talk to people and get them excited about the music. [after Katrina] I discovered that I lost 90 percent of everything I owned, including most of my finished canvases. I was able to find some canvas and frames to stretch my work out on Royal Street as a statement that the art community had returned.”

If you love New Orleans, you won’t want to miss this show. If you have never been to New Orleans, discover what you’ve been missing. There are approximately 150 paintings on display, ranging in price from $100 to $5000. Private gallery visits can be arranged by calling Artful Gallery at 301-537-8713. Artful Gallery is located at 1349 Maryland Avenue, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002.

The “New Orleans: Spirit a’ Risen” show will be ending on Thursday, June 26th. There will be one final opportunity to meet artists Bedonna Wakeman, Eric Buchanan and Veronica Leandrez when they return to DC for a closing event on June 26th, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. To create an authentic New Orleans experience, Cajun Music by Karen Collins and Fred Feinstein (Squeeze Bayou) will accompany the show’s closing. Cajun-inspired food and drink will be available for all to savor.