Pam Skehan's Paintings Selected for Louisiana Contemporary Exhibition at Ogden Museum

Two paintings by artist Pam Skehan, currently displayed at Wine Art Gallery in New Orleans, have been selected by jurors 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 and marks its 15th anniversary 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 for this annual juried exhibition. Skehan's paintings "Woman in Waiting" and "Tipping Point" are among the chosen pieces, which celebrate the vitality of artistic practice across Louisiana. Since its launch in 2012, Louisiana Contemporary has featured work by more than 650 artists, establishing itself as a significant event on the national arts calendar.

Wine Art Gallery, where Skehan's works are currently on view, focuses on giving back to emerging artists while honoring New Orleans' unique history. The gallery actively seeks new local and international talent, with over 80% of its artists being female or underrepresented. According to the gallery, "Wine Art Gallery works very hard to find new local talent. What makes The Gallery different is the constant search for new international artists as well as its effort to give a voice to those who may not otherwise have one." The gallery represents a diverse mixture of local, British, French, and Spanish artists and is located on Julia Street in the Arts District, alongside other galleries on Gallery Row.

The selection of Skehan's paintings by Met Museum curators underscores the importance of recognizing diverse voices in the arts. The Louisiana Contemporary exhibition provides a platform for artists from New Orleans and throughout Louisiana, showcasing the breadth of creative talent in the state. More information about the exhibition can be found at the Ogden Museum's website.