Paintings by artist Pam Skehan have been selected by curators from The Metropolitan Museum of Art for the Louisiana Contemporary exhibition at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. The exhibition, presented by The Helis Foundation, runs from August 1, 2026, to February 14, 2027, at the Ogden Museum located in New Orleans.
Louisiana Contemporary was launched in 2012 as an annual juried exhibition celebrating artists living in Louisiana and showcasing the vitality of artistic practice across the state. Now marking its 15th anniversary, the exhibition has featured work by more than 650 artists since its inception, establishing Louisiana Contemporary as a significant moment on the national arts calendar that recognizes and celebrates the breadth of creative voices emerging from New Orleans and arts communities throughout Louisiana.
This year, juror Sarah Jones, Lulu C. and Anthony W. Wang Head of Live Arts at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, selected 50 works by 45 artists from over 1,786 submissions. Among the selected pieces are Skehan's paintings "Woman in Waiting" and "Tipping Point," which are currently on view at the Wine Art Gallery.
Wine Art Gallery's mission is to give back to emerging artists while honoring the unique and storied history of New Orleans. The gallery works diligently to find new local talent and distinguishes itself through a constant search for new international artists, as well as its effort to give a voice to those who may not otherwise have one. Over 80% of the artists represented by Wine Art Gallery are female and underrepresented artists. The gallery features a diverse mixture of local, British, French, and Spanish artists. Wine Art Gallery is proud to coexist with many galleries on Gallery Row in the Arts District of New Orleans. Anchored by two Michelin Star restaurants—Emeril's and Peche—Julia Street provides a perfect location for the cultural melting pot of galleries and artists represented by Wine Art Gallery.
The selection of Skehan's works for this prestigious exhibition highlights the caliber of talent nurtured by Wine Art Gallery and underscores the gallery's role in promoting diverse artistic voices. For the broader arts community, the Louisiana Contemporary exhibition serves as a platform that recognizes and celebrates the breadth of creative voices emerging from New Orleans and arts communities throughout Louisiana.
