By Carlos Talbott
This year, I attended White Linen Night in New Orleans with a specific purpose: to see the closing exhibition of Refreshing America at the Contemporary Art Center. Curated by Don Marshall, the show brought together over 80 artists from around the world, offering rich and complex cultural perspectives that enrich New Orleans’ art landscape—and I was proud to be a part of it. You can learn more about the exhibition here.
How to Get There and Where to Park
The best way to arrive at White Linen Night is by hopping on the St. Charles Avenue streetcar. It drops you off just a short walk from Julia Street, where most of the action unfolds. If you’re driving, the next best option is to find parking in the Warehouse District—just make sure to get there early, as spaces fill up fast.
Refreshing America at the CAC
At the Contemporary Art Center, I reconnected with Emre Karaoğlu, a Turkish-born, New Orleans-based figurative artist known for blending cultural influences in evocative visual narratives. You can explore more of his work at www.emrekaraogluart.com or follow him on Instagram at @hekaraoglu.
We also had the chance to meet with one of my favorite people and friend, Hoàng Huê Phúóng, artist based in Hanoi and New Orleans @huephuong.art .
After taking in the final evening of Refreshing America, Emre and I strolled over to Boulier Gallery on Julia Street.
Boulier Gallery
Boulier Gallery (www.bouliergallery.com) is the only gallery in the Gulf South focused exclusively on photography. There, we met owner Nicolas Boulier and discussed the striking images on display—especially those featuring Shelby Olivia, a New Orleans fashion model whose bold presence commands every frame. You can find her on Instagram at @shelbyolivia_.
The gallery also showcased work by a strong lineup of photographers including Yannis Guibinga, Jesus Cordova, Trenity Thomas, Diego Bernal, Franck Godefroy, and Will Willoughby. The ongoing theme: Black is Beautiful—visualized with power and grace across every wall.
Sweet Detour
Just steps away from Boulier Gallery, we wandered into a pop-up garage sale where we tasted some of the best cupcakes I’ve had in a while. Baked by Michelle Guy of Glam & Glutton, the cupcakes were as artful as the gallery walls. You can find her creations at @theglamglutton.
Final Stop: Hotel Perle
Our night ended with a visit to the beautifully renovated Hotel Perle (@thehotelperle) on St. Charles Avenue, where we enjoyed spending some time admiring the exciting art of Michael Grant (@collectorsselection).
About Carlos Talbott
Carlos Talbott is a photographer based in New Orleans, originally from Honduras. He has exhibited his work in several solo and group shows, including Unleashed (2024) and Double Exposure (2025) at the New Orleans Photo Alliance, New Orleans de Nuit at the Second Story Gallery and Refreshing America curated by Don Marshall at the Contemporary Arts Center. Carlos is passionate about both digital and analog photography and enjoys exploring ways to present his work in tangible formats like photo books.
Follow him on Instagram @carlostalbott.
