New Orleans Museum of Art Debuts Acquisitions Purchased in Leah Chase’s Honor
In celebration of chef, civil rights activist and art collector Leah Chase, the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) recently premiered “New at NOMA: Recent Acquisitions in Modern and Contemporary Art”, on view now through Oct. 1.
Through a dedicated fund created by NOMA and funded by members of the New Orleans community to honor Chase on her 90th birthday, NOMA has acquired a group of new works by emerging and underrepresented contemporary artists that honor Chase’s lifelong commitment to art and culture of the South, and strong legacy of political activism and engagement.
“New at NOMA: Recent Acquisitions in Modern and Contemporary Art” highlights new acquisitions by McArthur Binion, Leonardo Drew and Mildred Thompson. These works join other recent acquisitions by artists like LaToya Ruby Frazier, The Propeller Group, Keith Calhoun and Chandra McCormick, Dan Tague and Carrie Mae Weems, among others, to offer vital new perspectives on pressing issues in contemporary art and culture.
“These acquisitions reflect NOMA’s commitment to bringing exciting new voices in contemporary art to the New Orleans community. Bringing together the work of both locally and nationally recognized artists, this exhibition offers an exciting opportunity to make New Orleans part of a national art conversation,” says Katie A. Pfohl, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at NOMA.
One of the Crescent City’s most revered figures, Leah Chase is the recipient of countless awards and honors for both her culinary achievements and her efforts during the Civil Rights Movement. Chase has run the kitchen at New Orleans’ famous Dooky Chase’s Restaurant since 1946, where patrons can enjoy world-class soul food among one of the most celebrated personal collections of African-American art.
“Leah Chase believes that art should be relatable, accessible, and uplifting.” says Susan Taylor, Montine Daniel Freeman Director at NOMA.
“We’re thrilled to showcase these acquisitions in her name in NOMA’s Frederick R. Weisman Gallery for Louisiana Art and Helis Gallery, and in doing so, celebrate Leah’s long-standing commitment to living artists and their work.”
For more information, visit: noma.org/exhibitions.
Supporting Our Own
Dr. Dwight McKenna and Dr. Jerome Medley held a reception and fundraiser in early March for Meharry Medical College at Le Musée de f.p.c., hosting the college’s President & CEO Dr. James E.K. Hildreth and his wife Phyllis Drennon King, along with alumni, friends and supporters of the nation’s first medical school founded for African-Americans.
Dr. Medley describes himself as a staunch supporter of Meharry Medical College and “all Black institutions.”
“I am definitely a supporter of Meharry,” says Medley. “And I appreciate the opportunity they gave me, especially when Dr. McKenna and I attended during a time when we could not be accepted into the White schools.”
The McKennas also recently endowed a scholarship fund for deserving African-American male medical students at Meharry Medical College to mark Dr. McKenna’s 50th year class reunion from the school.
The McKennas’ connections to Meharry stretch back decades, long before Dwight McKenna’s graduation in 1966. He was guided and urged to enroll at the historic institution by Dr. Henry E. Braden, a Meharry alumnus, family friend, and a respected member of the New Orleans business and civic communities.
And Beverly Stanton McKenna’s ties go back even further. Her father Dr. Robert L. Stanton graduated from the school in 1929. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Meharry Medical College was founded in 1876 as the Medical Department of Central Tennessee College. Today,
Meharry includes a medical school, dental school and a graduate school and is home to the Robert Wood Center for Health Policy. Meharry is one of the nation’s top five producers of primary care physicians and is also a leading producer of African Americans with doctoral degrees in biomedical sciences.
NORA Hosts Community Meetings
The New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) is hosting community engagement meetings throughout March in each councilmanic district to update residents on its investments throughout the city and discuss future opportunities for properties and housing in each area. These meetings are important for residents and businesses who want to keep up with the progress of economic development of properties in each district.
NORA’s Executive Director Brenda M. Breaux and members of the senior management team will present the organization’s sales history, disposition methods, current property inventory, updates on non-compliant road home properties and opportunities for housing development, commercial revitalization and land stewardship.
Meetings in districts B, D and E were held earlier in the month; but New Orleans residents are welcome to attend any of the following remaining sessions, which will take place 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.:
March 21 – District E (Lower Ninth Ward)
Sanchez Multi-Purpose Center (1616 Caffin Ave., New Orleans, LA 70117)
March 22 – District D
New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC), formerly Milne Boys Home (5420 Franklin Ave., New Orleans, LA 70122)
March 27 – District C
The George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center (1225 N. Rampart, New Orleans, LA 70116)
March 28 – District A
KIPP Believe College Prep, Paul L. Dunbar Elementary Campus (9330 Forshey St., New Orleans, LA 70118)
For more information on NORA, visit www.NORAWorks.org.
New Orleans East Hospital is Now Accredited for
Concussion Management Treatment
New Orleans East Hospital is now an accredited facility for the management and treatment of concussions. Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Russell Russo recently completed the Credentialed ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test) Consultant Certification which is the most widely used computerized neurocognitive test to evaluate and manage concussions.
NOEH is now one of three world-class programs in Louisiana dedicated to the analysis and treatment of traumatic brain injuries and concussions. Since launching its Sports Medicine Program in last October, NOEH is quickly becoming one of the premier destinations for the treatment and prevention of sports related injuries.
“We are so thrilled to be able to provide this service to the New Orleans community,” says Dr. Takeisha Davis, President and CEO. “Our Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Department specializes in providing exceptional preventive care and treatment services including orthopedic medicine and surgery, rehabilitation therapy, and advanced care for sports injuries.”
For more information about New Orleans East Hospital Sports Medicine or other programs that NOEH provides, please visit our website at www.noehospital.org, call 504-592-6600 or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
New Orleans Pelicans and Richard’s Disposal Rebrand & Refresh NORDc Basketball Court at Lawrence Square Park
The New Orleans Pelicans and Richard’s Disposal, in conjunction with the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDc), recently unveiled a rebranded basketball court at Lawrence Square Park in New Orleans.
The park was originally refurbished in 2012 through a partnership between Richard’s Disposal and the local NBA franchise when the team was still called the Hornets.
On hand for the unveiling of the Pelicans themed basketball court was Pelicans’ executive director of community and government affairs Stephen Pate, Pelicans director of community relations Julie Borsch and Pelicans director of youth programs Jason Trosclair, along with Alvin Richard, owner of Richard’s Disposal and Steve Martin, athletic director of NORDc.
“We are proud of our continued efforts in working together with area recreational outlets that provide our youth with safe and viable places to play,” said Pate. “Lawrence Square Park’s basketball court now looks fantastic and it was gratifying to see the smiles on the children’s faces and know that they will take advantage of the park. We’re thrilled that Richard’s Disposal partnered with us in the rehabilitation of the court.”
