Take an Art Walk in New Orleans
Updated: April 19, 2023
Written by
AAA Travel Editor, Laurie Sterbens
French Quarter
The iron fence surrounding Jackson Square serves as an outdoor gallery for artists offering works ranging from folk to fine art. In the side streets off the square, you’ll find galleries offering artworks ranging from impressionist paintings to Louisiana arts and crafts. Nearby Royal Street is lined with galleries, and on the second Saturday in August it’s the location of Dirty Linen Night—a spoof of Julia Street’s White Linen Night. Visitors are invited to wear their stained White Linen Night attire from the previous week and enjoy dirty martinis and dirty rice while perusing the galleries.
Marigny and Bywater
Amid the music clubs and shops along St. Claude Avenue, you’ll find a number of charming local galleries. The best time to visit is during the Second Saturday Art Walk. From 6 to 9 p.m., works by more than 20 participating artists are on display, accompanied by crafts, dance and music. On Frenchman Street, local artists display their creations at the open-air Palace Market during evenings and Saturday afternoons.
Uptown
Magazine Street is a treasure trove for all kinds of shopping, and you’ll find plenty of galleries amid the antique shops, boutiques and restaurants. Every fall the galleries here kick off the season with Art for Art’s Sake, a fun gallery hop where you can shop, take in gallery openings, sip wine and listen to music. Freret Market takes place from noon to 4 on the first Saturday of every month except June, July and August. Held at the corner of Freret Street and Napoleon Avenue, it features local artworks along with food and other items.
Warehouse District
On Julia Street, nicknamed “Gallery Row,” warehouses have been renovated into sleek modern spaces to display art. The first Saturday evening of the month is a great time to visit, when the galleries stay open later and offer tastings and music. Annual events here include Jammin’ on Julia, a springtime festival featuring extended gallery hours, music and libations, and White Linen Night on the first Saturday in August, where visitors are invited to don their best white linen duds and enjoy gallery exhibitions, food, beverages and music.
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