Two paintings by artist Pam Skehan, "Woman in Waiting" and "Tipping Point," have been selected by curators 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, marks its 15th anniversary this year and runs from August 1, 2026, to February 14, 2027, at the Ogden Museum in New Orleans.
Louisiana Contemporary was launched in 2012 as an annual juried exhibition celebrating artists living in Louisiana and showcasing the vitality of artistic practice across the state. Now in its 15th year, the exhibition has featured work by more than 650 artists since its inception, establishing itself as a significant moment on the national arts calendar that recognizes and celebrates the breadth of creative voices emerging from New Orleans and arts communities throughout Louisiana.
Juror Sarah Jones, the 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. The selection process underscores the competitive nature of the exhibition and the high caliber of work being produced in Louisiana.
Currently, Pam Skehan's paintings can be viewed at Wine Art Gallery, located on Julia Street in the Arts District of New Orleans. The gallery's mission is to give back to emerging artists while honoring the unique and storied history of New Orleans. Wine Art Gallery works hard to find new local talent and distinguishes itself through a constant search for new international artists and efforts to give a voice to those who may not otherwise have one. Over 80% of the gallery's artists are female and underrepresented artists, and the gallery represents a diverse mixture of local, British, French, and Spanish artists.
The inclusion of Skehan's work in Louisiana Contemporary is significant not only for the artist but also for the representation of female artists in major exhibitions. As Wine Art Gallery emphasizes, supporting emerging and underrepresented artists is a core part of its mission. The selection by a Met curator further validates the importance of these voices in the broader art world.
For more information about the exhibition, visit the Ogden Museum's Louisiana Contemporary page. The exhibition provides a platform for artists like Skehan to gain national recognition and highlights the vibrant arts community in Louisiana.
