New Orleans is highlighting its vibrant visual arts scene this April with two major museum exhibitions that offer deep dives into Southern identity and local art history. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art has launched "I Am the Face," an exploration of Southern photographic portraiture from the early 20th century to today, while the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) is preparing to open a comprehensive retrospective of Louisiana native Robert Gordy, marking the first major presentation of his work at the institution in over forty years.
These exhibitions underscore the city's cultural depth beyond its famous music and culinary traditions, providing critical historical context to regional art movements. By showcasing Gordy’s disciplined compositions and the evolving power dynamics of the photographic lens in the South, these institutions are preserving local legacies and offering visitors a sophisticated alternative to the busy spring festival season.