Baton Rouge Gallery - center for contemporary art

BIG NEWS! Earlier today the 2024 Southeastern Museums Conference (which encompasses a 12-state region) recognized last summer’s “And We Went: 60 Years After the Baton Rouge Swim-In” with a Gold Award (First Place) for exhibitions! The show, which was a joint partnership between Baton Rouge Gallery, Dialogue on Race Louisiana, and BREC (as well as many more supporting and programmatic partners), was curated by Jonell Logan and sought to shed light on the often overlooked story of the Swim-In, the contemporary legacy of segregated swimming, and grapple with a site-specific history that also played out across our nation in the 1960s. Our infinite thanks to all the artists, sponsors, storytellers, partners, activists, and volunteers who made this show so impactful. It was an honor for us to host the exhibition, to – in concert with our partners - bring its companion programming to life, and to celebrate those who stood up to the unjust practices of the day. Special thanks to Debra George, who was part of the Swim-In as an 11 year-old girl and was absolutely integral to the planning and success of “And We Went.” It was truly special to have her join us today to accept the award and share in this special moment with us and our partners. To learn more about “And We Went: 60 Years After the Baton Rouge Swim-In,” please visit https://lnkd.in/grMzPr3y.

BRG’s team really enjoyed Day 1 of the Southeastern Museums Conference (here in Baton Rouge this year!). Our CEO, Jason Andreasen, had the honor of sitting on the morning’s plenary session with Brandon Lewis, Miranda Restovich of Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, Luke St. John of the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, and Morgan Udoh of The Walls Project. Looking forward to Days 2 & 3! Southeastern Museums Conference #semc2024

Get your tickets NOW for KINETICS, BR’s Premier Live Art Auction (presented by Hancock Whitney) happening in November 8! Be a part of a night that makes it possible for artists and audiences to connect at BRG year round!! Tickets are just $60 ($50 for BRG members). 🖼️ 30+ original works up for bid, all opening at $100 🗣️ Emcee Mary Stein of EBRP Library 👉 Auctioneer extraordinaire Brian Fourroux 🍱 Amazing bites from Soji: Modern Asian 🍸 “Art of the Cocktail” before the auction with Blend, Mestizo, Hayride Scandal, and Soji And more!! More details and tickets at https://lnkd.in/ewHEmG2

We're so excited to say that Hannah Dees has, as of today, joined our team as BRG's new Events & Sponsorships Manager! With nearly 15 years of experience in hospitality, Hannah has dedicated her career to serving the Baton Rouge community. Her deep connection to the area stems from her extensive work with small, locally-owned businesses and restaurants. This experience fuels her drive to cultivate meaningful relationships and create memorable, positive experiences. As a devoted advocate for community and connection, she eagerly anticipates every opportunity to facilitate these aspirations for all who collaborate with BRG. Whether you're interested in hosting a private event at BRG or volunteering to lend a hand connecting artists and audiences, she's ready to help!

Absolutely enjoyed the chance to sit in conversation with Maxine Crump, Malaika Favorite, and Gerri Hobdy at this year’s Louisiana Arts Summit (presented by Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge). It was a pleasure to look back at last summer’s “And We Went: 60 Years After the Baton Rouge Swim-In” as a cross-sector collaboration case study. Specifically, we tried to speak to the planning and development of the exhibition & programming and highlight the efforts to have those with the story be the ones to tell the story as much (and as early in the process) as possible. Baton Rouge Gallery - center for contemporary art Dialogue on Race Louisiana BREC

ICYMI: We're #hiring! BRG is looking for its next Events & Sponsorships Manager (a full-time position) to ensure the successful execution of BRG’s programmatic events, private rentals, and to aid in cultivating corporate sponsorships. This position helps drive BRG's mission - connecting artists & audiences - by helping to foster a welcoming environment for all and by building relationships with partners for events/programs. Interested? Know someone who might be? More information can be found at https://lnkd.in/gaAj7EKG.

We love working with the Baton Rouge Area Foundation and the philanthropists they team with to help make our community special. Our thanks to BRAF for supporting the arts locally and valuing what Louisiana’s contemporary artists bring to the capital area.

We're #hiring! BRG is looking for its next Events & Sponsorships Manager (a full-time position) to ensure the successful execution of BRG’s programmatic events, private rentals, and to aid in cultivating corporate sponsorships. This position helps drive BRG's mission - connecting artists & audiences - by helping to foster a welcoming environment for all and by building relationships with partners for events/programs. Interested? Know someone who might be? More information can be found at https://lnkd.in/gaAj7EKG.

Sixty-one years ago today - on July 23, 1963 - more than three dozen Black activists came to City Park in Baton Rouge to protest the injustice of segregation. Please join us in remembering and celebrating this pivotal moment that came to be known as The Baton Rouge Swim-in. Led by sisters Pearl George and Rev. Betty Claiborne, along with Rev. Arthur Jelks and others, their stand for equity is one we must not forget. Built in the 1920s, the 20,000 sq/ft City Park Pool (the only public pool in the city when it opened), was a popular destination for white children for roughly 40 years. On the other hand, Black Baton Rougeans were barred from enjoying its waters, with dangerous rivers, drainage ditches, and creeks being their only swimming options (until Black philanthropists opened Brooks Pool in the late 1940s, just a mile from City Park Pool). Last year BRG was honored to partner with Dialogue on Race Louisiana and BREC to share the exhibition “And We Went: 60 Years After the Baton Rouge Swim-In” with thousands of visitors. BRG has programmed City Park’s former pool house since 1984, so the exhibition was staged in the very space activists would’ve walked through in attempting to reach the pool. Curated by Jonell Logan and with assistance from the families of some Swim-In organizers, the show told the story of the event and the legacy of segregated swimming six decades later. It also featured numerous public programs that involved activists, the first Black man to hold a world record in swimming, and the daughter of Pearl George (who was at the Swim-In as an 11-year-old girl). We invite you to learn more about the full story of The Baton Rouge Swim-In (as well as “And We Went”) by visiting https://lnkd.in/grMzPr3y. Pictured: (1) City Park Pool, following its closure (2) Aerial view of City Park Pool, circa 1930 (3) Image of City Park Pool (June 10, 1953) alongside quote from Rev. Betty Claiborne reflecting on The Baton Rouge Swim-In in 2016 (4) Activists Pearl George and attorney Johnnie Jones, Sr. (who brought the case to end segregation in public parks following the Swim-In) (5) Swimmers and instructors at Brooks Pool (6) “Blanco Hands Pardon to Civil Rights Activist” from The Advocate (Jan. 5, 2005) (7) And We Went curator Jonell Logan with Swim-In attendee Debra George (daughter of Pearl George) and her grandniece beside Aliyah Bonnette’s “Wading in the Waters of Oshun” (July 5, 2023) (8) Kimberly Becoat, Exonerated Central Park Jubilee (2022), Acrylic, collaged painted graphix sheets on strathmore paper, 38 × 48 in. (one of more than two dozen works featured in “And We Went”) (9) Installation view of “And We Went: 60 Years After the Baton Rouge Swim-In” (10) Olympic gold medalist Cullen Jones teaching swimming lessons at Brooks Pool in conjunction with “And We Went” (July 6, 2023)

It was an absolute pleasure to work with LWCC and Michaelene Walsh on this project and an honor to celebrate the workers in our state! Thank you LWCC for allowing us to collaborate with you and thank you for incorporating original art into your space so thoughtfully.