Historic New Orleans Collection debuts new art exhibition exploring New Orleans music and musicians

Written By Alicia Vial

Free admission to "New Orleans Musicians in Art" begins Nov. 4

NEW ORLEANS — The Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC), the world's largest holder of materials on the history and culture of New Orleans, is debuting its newest limited-time exhibition, “New Orleans Musicians in Art,” Tuesday, Nov. 4. The free exhibition explores works of art inspired by New Orleans music and musicians.

Featuring hidden gems from HNOC’s permanent collection, “New Orleans Musicians in Art” showcases 14 paintings inspired by New Orleans music—in particular, the homegrown jazz heard in Preservation Hall and other legendary venues. To accompany the paintings, curators selected early recordings from artists featured in the exhibition to play in the gallery, creating a unique visual and auditory experience.

“Through portraits and live performance scenes, the exhibition shines a light on these important figures who were fundamental to the city's cultural heritage,” said Jason Wiese, Chief Curator at HNOC. “My hope is that ‘New Orleans Musicians in Art’ provides visitors with a moment to pause and consider these important New Orleans musicians – once well-known but now gone.”

Visual artists driven to depict the music’s makers and moods include Noel Rockmore, whose portraits of Preservation Hall jazz greats—some sketched during live performances—immortalize the dignity and personalities of veteran musicians. Works by Bruce Brice and Herbert Singleton evoke the sorrow and joy of traditional jazz funerals. A church revival scene by J. Haynes Smith captures a moment of community and ecstasy created by spiritual music.

"We are thrilled to present 'New Orleans Musicians in Art,' an exhibition that beautifully illustrates the profound connection between our city's visual arts and its unparalleled musical legacy," said HNOC President and CEO Daniel Hammer. "These works invite us to meet the people and experience the atmospheres that have defined New Orleans music for generations, truly transforming history into a catalyst for dialogue and understanding."

“New Orleans Musicians in Art” will be on view at HNOC from Nov. 4, 2025 until Nov. 8, 2026. Admission is free. The exhibition is sponsored by the Ruth U. Fertel Foundation with media support from WWOZ. To learn more visit hnoc.org. 

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About the Historic New Orleans Collection:
The Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) is a nonprofit institution dedicated to preserving the distinctive history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South. Founded in 1966 through the Kemper and Leila Williams Foundation, HNOC operates as a free museum, research center and publisher spanning more than 14 historic buildings in the heart of the French Quarter. For more information visit hnoc.org.

 

 

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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