Arthur Roger Gallery

The Arthur Roger Gallery, established in 1978 in New Orleans, has played a defining role in the growth and vitality of the city’s contemporary art scene. Opening first on Magazine Street in the Garden District, the gallery quickly became a key venue for showcasing the work of both emerging and established artists. Its early exhibitions included prominent New Orleans figures like Robert Gordy and Ida Kohlmeyer, setting a high standard for artistic excellence.

As New Orleans’ arts community expanded, Arthur Roger helped create a network of galleries through initiatives like Art for Art’s Sake, helping to transform the city into a thriving cultural destination. In 1988, the gallery moved to the historic Warehouse District, offering a larger and beautifully designed space that allowed for even more ambitious exhibitions.

The gallery gained national recognition through participation in major art fairs, from Chicago to Miami, and through organizing landmark exhibitions, including contributions to the Louisiana World Exposition. Over the decades, Arthur Roger Gallery has worked with influential artists such as Robert Colescott, John Waters, and Gordon Parks, and has mounted major shows addressing topics from urban landscapes to race and identity.

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the gallery became a vital force for recovery in the New Orleans arts community, hosting pivotal exhibitions and discussions that helped inspire Prospect New Orleans, the city’s acclaimed international art biennial. More recently, it has embraced digital innovation, offering virtual artist studio visits and online exhibitions to adapt to changing times.

Today, the Arthur Roger Gallery continues to champion artists whose work speaks to critical cultural and social issues. Its legacy is one of vision, resilience, and unwavering support for the arts, making it one of the cornerstones of contemporary art not just in New Orleans but nationally.