Home CULTURE ARTS Downtown Living: August 2014

Downtown Living: August 2014

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Events: Whitney White Linen Night – Aug. 2 

DowntownLivingNov2013Literally one of the hottest parties of the summer, Whitney White Linen Night is an evening to don your coolest duds while imbibing the spirit of the New Orleans Arts District. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, this singular event is the talk of the season — with participating galleries hosting spectacular exhibitions of local, national and international artists; live local music playing on three stages; and mouthwatering libations and cuisine from restaurants all over the city. There’s even an excellent after-party at the Contemporary Arts Center that only costs $10 to attend (it’s free if you’re a member)!

Some of the district’s galleries hold opening exhibitions on this balmy evening in August. The Arthur Roger Gallery will feature the paintings of Francis X. Pavy in an exhibition titled Third Coast Suite, a photography exhibit from The Gordon Parks Foundation in an exhibition titled Segregation Story, and Robert Hannant’s digital video installment titled I Don’t Understand. Meanwhile Ariodante Contemporary Craft Gallery will show scenes of South Louisiana wildlife created by Tanya Dischler, unique jewelry designed by Shea Yetta and glasswork by Christine Ledoux. Finally, LeMieux Galleries will offer the latest, whimsical works by painter Nathan Durfee. We could go on, but as you can see, these exhibitions only scratch the surface of what awaits art aficionados during this popular Saturday-night soiree.

Between galleries, satisfy your other senses with cocktails and cuisine from vendors like Marti’s Restaurant, Mopho, GW Fins, GG’s Dine-O-Rama, Le Foret, Broussard’s Restaurant, Crêpes à la Cart, SoBou and Pinkberry. Plus, you’ll want to put on your dancin’ shoes and get down to local music from Egg Yolk Jubilee, Mahayla and The Unnaturals! Don’t miss this rare opportunity to celebrate art and support our city’s businesses during the dog days of summer. 300 to 600 blocks of Julia Street, neworleansartsdistrict.com/white-linen-night
Shop: REpurposingNOLA Piece by Peace – Aug. 2
Founded in Sept. 2009, REpurposingNOLA is a New Orleans-based fashion brand that’s uses reclaimed textiles and other materials to create unique, designer-quality products. Even better, the pieces are not only sustainable, but they’re also beautiful — and, not to mention, quite popular. Traci L. Claussen, the brand’s self-dubbed “chief gatherer” and originator, was inspired to launch REpurposingNOLA after eco-renovating her loft in the Warehouse District. She reused salvaged wood; created her own woven, bamboo flooring; and, when she discovered an old green awning wrapped around the fence rail of her building, her entrepreneurial spirit took hold and REpurposingNOLA was born.

On Aug. 2, during Whitney White Linen Night, the REpurposingNOLA brand shop will be celebrating its first anniversary. Last year, guests waiting to get in the door were highly entertained by a nude male model sitting in the front window — covered only by one of Claussen’s signature burlap bags. “This year, we’ve got more guy-candy window dressing, plus a lady in a tub, to help us launch the brand’s new signature bath and body collection,” Claussen says. “I always make an extra effort to support female entrepreneurs.”

Claussen has joined forces with Sondra Berger of Fleur de Light Candles (fleurdelightcandles.com), another eco-conscious businesswoman that sells candles infused with high-quality fragrance oils. Proceeds from the “See the Light, Feed the Hungry” candles are donated directly to local food banks.

REpurposingNOLA’s anniversary party promises a night of fun frivolity where guests can enjoy an open bar of bubbles, plus his/her summer cocktails and other items. The brand’s complete fall collection will also be available for purchase as well as pre-orders for the new bath and body collection, which includes hand wash, body lotion, Dead Sea salts, bubble bath and shower gel.
604 Julia St., Ste. 101, (504) 261-3275, repurposingnola.com