On Saturday, October 10, the New Orleans Arts Center & Gallery (NOACG), a new 6,000 square foot space on St. Claude Ave., will celebrate the launch of an exhibit, Bywater Biennial, showcasing the work of 75 artists, both established and emerging, who are part of the eclectic downriver arts community. The New Orleans Art Center is run by founder and metal furniture artist Herman Kron and his partner, painter Christina Juran.

The show is curated by Don Marshall, former director of the Contemporary Arts Center (1977-1986) and current executive director of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. The CAC served as a catalyst for what later became the now well-known Warehouse Arts District. Marshall hopes the show will foster community coordination while creating opportunities for emerging artists to get picked up by galleries looking to expand their rosters with fresh talent.

Marshall envisions an expansive future for the Bywater Biennial. New Orleans is teeming with talented artists and he foresees an even larger event in coming years. Plans for 2017 are already coming along, as the next edition of the Biennial will coincide with the Prospect.4 contemporary art extravaganza. "I plan to have a lot more artist engagement in how we can grow this idea and make sure Bywater Biennial is a big enough attraction that collectors and patrons who are coming in for P.4 see it as a must-see event."

The NOACG has already hosted a number of events since their opening in February, including the exhibition "Neighbors," curated by Yamil Rodriguez; a fundraiser music/art/performance/dance event hosted by Dancing Grounds; and "NOLA Proud, 10 Years Post-Katrina." The space has also participates in each of the the 2nd Saturday Art opening events along with the other galleries in the St. Claude/Bywater area.

Upcoming events include a one-man show of paintings from artist Keith Duncan, a presentation of "Silent Shakespeare" during Fringe Fest, and "Politico Pop-Up," a one night political art event curated by artist and WWOZ photographer Leona Strassberg Steiner.

The NOACG is a collaborative space inviting artist participation and utilization. Kron and Juran look forward to hosting more art, sculpture, painting, poetry, photography, dance, music, film, video, and other performance events in the future. Their goal is to inspire creativity and engage the community across all ages and mediums. The Arts Center also hosts a live figure drawing group from 7-10p each Monday night.

Bywater Biennial will run through Sunday, November 8. Artists in this inaugural event include: