Julia in July

While some cities have only a couple famous streets or hot-spot neighborhoods, New Orleans is rich with eclectic areas that offer their own unique attractions, shops, restaurants and vibe. Located in the Warehouse District, Julia Street is one of the many famous neighborhoods within a neighborhood that draws visitors year-round, while also experiencing a growth in residents. This summer, we’re highlighting a number of Julia Street businesses that help give the area its character and charm.

Julia Street has long been known as a destination for art, with a number of galleries that dot its blocks. Artist, activist and entrepreneur Jonathan Ferrara founded the Jonathan Ferrara Gallery in 1998 with a focus on forward-thinking artists with a sense of purpose, mission and message. It features monthly exhibitions of national and international, emerging to established, contemporary artists.

Running through July 22 is Sidonie Villere’s exhibition, “Interrupted,” which is comprised of new mixed media painting and sculpture. Villere is a New Orleans native whose work has been exhibited across the United States and is in the permanent collections of several museums including The New Orleans Museum of Art and The Ogden Museum of Southern Art.

Following Villere’s exhibition, the gallery will gear up for White Linen Night, “the pinnacle of our summer season,” says Gallery Director and Partner Matthew Weldon Showman. “We will be unveiling the first solo exhibition of conceptual activist artist Ti-Rock Moore,” he says. On Saturday, August 5, the gallery will share three, one-night-only pieces: one on the street, one ephemeral and one a performance in the gallery.

In 2005, just one month before Hurricane Katrina, Steven and Borislava Callan opened Callan Contemporary in an award-winning gallery space designed by local architect Lee Ledbetter. Since then, the gallery has specialized in contemporary paintings and sculpture by emerging, mid-career and internationally recognized artists.

“One of the primary focuses of our gallery is to gain exposure for our artists by introducing their work to collectors and museums through our participation in international art fairs. We also work closely with museums that have exhibitions of our artist’s work,” says Steven Callan.

Throughout July, Sibylle Peretti will exhibit a new body of work entitled “It Was Such a Beautiful Promise.” According to Peretti, her work “explores the lack of harmony between human beings and nature and our inability to become one with the natural world.” Peretti’s exhibition will be followed by Doyle Gertjejansen for White Linen Night, Basque painter José-Maria Cundin for Art for Art’s Sake and sculpture by David Borgerding for November and December.

Julia Street isn’t just for adults, and as home to the Louisiana Children’s Museum, it offers family-friendly fun all year long.

“At the Louisiana Children’s Museum, children and adults alike can explore 30,000 square feet of engaging exhibits, educational programs, art activities and hands-on fun,” says CEO Julia Bland. During July and August, the museum will be open seven days a week for summer. Hours are 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from noon until 5 p.m. on Sundays.