Celebrating Pride: Loud and Proud
In the spirit of our founders’ legacy of diversity, respect, and inclusion, Longue Vue will be featuring artwork created by local LGBTQ+ artists and allies in our Playhouse during the month of June. Included below is a statement from the curator of this exhibit as well as some previews of the works featured. All works are currently for sale through our Gift Shop.
Curator’s statement:
Ilyanette M. Bernabel, a self-proclaimed Afro-Taino, is a multihyphenated performing artist, creative producer, independent curator and published poet and scholar with a passion for healing through creative self-expression as well as producing and prioritizing culturally relevant content specific to historically marginalized communities. Ilyanette is thrilled to have curated this exhibit in conjunction with the 6th annual Family Equality Day event at Longue Vue House and Gardens.
Family Equality Day, a Longue Vue Pride event, is an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of all families especially those families with LGBTQ+ identified folks and allies who support the global gay rights movement. This exhibit entitled, Celebrating Pride: Loud and Proud, features 6 local LGBTQ+ identified and allied visual artists specializing in various mediums, from pottery to photography to watercolor paintings and more. The goal is to highlight and celebrate the progression of the gay rights movement in the United States and to support local LGBTQ+ identified and allied artists since this is a key aspect to Longue Vue’s mission to be a leader in the advancement of innovative thought, creative expression, and lifelong learning.
We hope you enjoy this exhibit and consider supporting both our local artists and our mission by purchasing artwork currently for sale. Please visit the last page of this document for updated pricing and names of individual works.
Regena Washington, sculptor
Virginia Schaeffer, pottery sculpting artist
Flower Power NOLA, carnival flower installations
Maegen Babb, multimedia artist
Carole Turner, painter
Robert Mcelwee, watercolorist
Keith Motes, photographer
Keith Motes, photographer
Keith Motes, photographer
Artist Bios
Virginia Schaeffer
Instagram: @mudhead_pottery
Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MudheadPotteryStudio
I came to visit New Orleans in the summer of 2008. I instantly broke into a sweat, fell in love with the city and never left. Just like New Orleans, pottery is the one medium where physical interaction, creative process and self-expression come together. My work is a combination of wheel thrown and hand building techniques. Working with clay I can materialize a functional object of my reality and imagination. Each piece created in its own uniqueness with love.
Keith Motes
Instagram: @art.by.keith.nola
Website: www.facebook.com/art.by.keith.nola.com
Keith developed a love for photography as a young adult. He shot primarily black and white 35mm filmed and developed it in his home darkroom. However, the requirements of career and family superseded his interest in
photography, which then lay dormant for over three decades.
In the wake of the financial crisis of 2008 and following a corporate lay-off of thousands from Sprint in a single day, Keith began looking for work income based on different skill sets. His husband’s work relocation from Kansas City to New Orleans in 2016 further added to his desire to find a new way to earn a
living where the job opportunities from his previous career were non-existent.
In 2018, following a devastating one-car accident, Keith once again picked up a camera and began shooting photos of the diverse beautiful and unique culture which can only be found in New Orleans and Southeast Louisiana. Transferring the skill sets he learned from his years in the corporate work-world, Keith explored digitally enhancing his photography. His unique ability to capture a story, combined with his highly developed use of digital enhancement, has resulted in unique photographic art that is highly prized and respected. His desired outcome for his work is not just “the story” but to present it in a way which leaves the observer wondering at first whether this is an actual painting of some sort or, indeed, an enhanced photographic piece.
Keith and his husband Ray live in the Upper Ninth Ward with their two canine babies, Achilles, and Bagel. They enjoy camping, making new friends, and discovering all that New Orleans and Southeast Louisiana have to offer.
Robert “Dale” McElwee
Instagram: @rosedale2504
Website: www.dalemcelweewatercolors.com
After my early years as an artist in high school, I was determined to continue my education in fine art as LSU-Shreveport where I spent 4 1⁄2 years studying drawing and painting mostly in watercolor. Something about the lightness and transparency of the medium always drew me in. I have continued to enjoy watercolor attending many specialized classes in technique and greater use of the medium. I do my best to get to at least one or two classes every year.
After relocating to New Orleans in 1992, I became very interested in our
artists here and their unique way of approaching many of the thing that we take for granted, including the flora and fauna that we are so lucky to have here – sometimes in our own backyard. Many of my subjects include plants, leaves, flowers, wildlife, architecture, and people of the area. I have been lucky enough to be included in the French Quarter Fest’s Pirate’s Alley Art Show for many years, Art for Art’s Sake, NOAA City Park, and The ArtGarden on Frenchmen St. to name a few. Also, my art is always featured in the Ami Ard Hair Studio on Dublin St., in the Riverbend.
I believe that each of us view our surroundings with different eyes and attitudes. I just want to create art that may help the viewer see things a bit differently. And to, hopefully, put a smile on your face!
Maegen Babb
Instagram: @_maebart
Website: www.maebart.bigcartel.com
Maegen Babb is an artist based in the New Orleans area. Her style has been described as “creepy cute”. Materials of choice are canvas/wood and acrylic, but she dabbles in watercolor, illustration, and sculpture. On the weekends she spends her time selling art at local markets, volunteering, or spending time with her wife and fur babies. She is always open for commissions (especially pet portraits)!
Regena Washington
Instagram: @_hunidew
Website: www.hunidewartgallery.bigcartel.com
My name is Regena; my art is known as HUNIDEW. Although I was not born in New Orleans, I was raised here since the age of 9. Being a military child, I was able to experience a different culture other than New Orleans. Once my parents were able to make it back to their home, we planted our feet. I have gathered multiple lessons along the way that impacts my art today. Since a child, art has always found its way into my path. I am thankful to be able to do what I love in this portion of my world.
Carole Turner
Instagram: @carolesmithturnerart
Website: www.carolesmithturner.com
My main form of painting is Gestural Expressionism. I drip, pour, rub, scrape, splash, etc. I feel my art is a manifestation of what’s inside. My favorite artist is Banksy, whose style is nothing like mine.