Known as the creative one in her family, native New Orleanian Myesha Francis lives her life in art. She loves the way it can move her, and she loves the power it has to move others. Although she was always drawn to the canvas, it wasn’t until her senior year in college that she realized she could make art her profession. And that is exactly what she did. In November of 2009, Ms. Francis opened her gallery, M Francis Gallery, in the Upper Ninth Ward, and in June of 2010 relocated to her current address at 604 Julia Street.
Ms. Francis’ personal philosophy is “Live, Laugh, Love,” and her mission is to exude these ideals through the work showing in her gallery. She views the M Francis Gallery and her exhibitions as an “outpouring of myself, based on the mission to have art positively affect lives…to encourage us to look at ourselves and the world around us.” Her perspective of art, and the perspective she hopes to share with patrons of M Francis Gallery, is that a gallery and its works create a space “where thoughts can be explored—a vibrant place, which empowers artists to affect the community.” Her gallery exhibits new art regularly, highlighting fresh talent and ideas. The current show, which opened Saturday, February 5th, is entitled Black Art Now, and will be running for the month.
Black Art Now, curated by Ms. Francis and fellow local artist Terrance Sanders, showcases contemporary Black art which focuses on the future instead of the past. Ms. Francis notes a tendency for Black artists’ work to emphasize a history of the Black community, often portraying the moods and feelings of the civil rights movement and slavery. As important as these types of works are, she wanted to curate a show by Black artists that “pushes forward and draws attention not just to the Black struggle, but to the human struggle, and serves as a platform for local Black artists to showcase other local, societal, and political ideas.” Now features work by eight artists, Horton Humble, Keith Duncan, Amy Bryan, Katrina Andry, Terrance Sanders, Carl Joe Williams, Bruce Davenport Jr. and Michelle Levine. Ms. Francis states that “there is a lot of buzz about Black Art Now, and we hope [the public] is moved by it.”
It is no simple task to keep the space at M Francis Gallery provocative and exciting. Ms. Francis is constantly searching for new artists and opportunities to keep her gallery fresh and inviting. She welcomes new perspectives, innovative ideas, and challenging subject matter. She prefers to involve the public whenever possible, and promotes expression through artistic endeavor. M Francis Gallery hosts Passion 2 Paint every Friday and Saturday night, providing the attendee with everything they need to create a masterpiece, as well as a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Beyond Passion 2 Paint, the gallery also holds discussion panels to stimulate talks about issues and challenges raised by the works featured in her current exhibition.
Since M Francis Gallery’s move from the Upper Ninth Ward to 604 Julia Street, the gallery has “taken on a whole new vibe, with a larger space to exhibit and more energy inside.” She hopes that the energy will only continue to grow. M Francis Gallery is truly a work from Myesha Francis’ soul. The gallery embodies her philosophy, and the works she chooses are works that have the power to move the viewer. And, she says, “People are beginning to notice.”
Black Art Now opened Saturday, February 5th and will be showing for a month. M Francis Gallery will be hosting a panel discussion by the featured artists and moderated by Terrance Sanders on Thursday, February 10th at 7 pm at the gallery.
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M Francis Gallery is located in the Arts District at 604 Julia Street, New Orleans.
See a map.
Hours: Tues-Sat 11:30 am until 5 pm
Visit the website.
Email: mfrancis@mfrancisgallery.com
Tel: (504) 875-4888
