Orleans Gallery is named in honor of the original Orleans Gallery — an artist‑owned space where the mission was clear and deeply felt: to bring artists together and harness the power of all into one. That gallery wasn’t about the prestige of the space or the profile of the persons sitting behind the desk. It was about the power of many — a place where artists of all backgrounds could gather, share, challenge, and inspire one another.

We carry that spirit forward. Today, we continue in that tradition: creating a space where it’s not about the individual, but the collective energy that builds when artists gather. Where someone might walk in to see the work of a single artist and leave having discovered three others they’d never known — each offering a new voice, a new way of seeing, or a shared struggle that suddenly feels less isolating. This is a place where an emerging painter might find themselves in conversation with someone who’s been working for decades — and both walk away changed. Where the excitement doesn’t end with what’s on the walls, but pulses through the studio visits, the group chats, the moments before and after openings, when the real exchanges happen.

Our reason for being is this: to keep creating space for connection. To honor the incredible things that happen when artists come together — across generations, disciplines, and backgrounds — to talk, to listen, to learn from one another, and to celebrate the hard‑won paths that brought them here. That’s the legacy of the Orleans Gallery. And it’s the heartbeat of everything we do.

Our Story

The first original piece of art Cayman Clevenger ever saw was a Clementine Hunter which hung prominently in the kitchen of his neighbor's Many, Louisiana home in 1992. He was immediately drawn to the bright colors and larger than life characters depicted in Hunter's works. A Louisiana Folk artist from rural North Louisiana ignited Cayman's passion for art, and ignited in him a lifelong love of Louisiana art and artists. Soon after, Cayman saw his first Blue Dog by George Rodrigue, and was entranced by Tiffany's yellow gaze. Weekends in New Orleans exposed Cayman to the works of James Michalopoulos, Francoise Gilot, and many others. He purchased his first painting at the age of 7, and began collecting art with his allowance and with money earned from lemonade stands. When his neighbor passed away, he purchased the first piece of original art he had ever seen, a Clementine Hunter entitled "Pecan Picking," at age of 13. He purchased his first Rodrigue as a Sophomore in College at Tulane University, and began actively collecting Rodrigues. 

Cayman got into art dealing for practical reasons: his soon to be wife did not like a certain Blue Dog printed on silver paper, and the two needed extra capital to cover the cost of college and Law School, so Cayman listed the piece for sale on the internet, and it sold within hours. Realizing there was a strong market for Louisiana Art around the country, Cayman began buying, selling, and consigning art as a means of paying his way though Law School while living in Texas. After creating a vast network of kind and loyal customers, Cayman founded Louisiana Art, a Louisiana Limited Liability Corporation, so he could better serve Louisiana artists and his customers. 

In 2025, Cayman and Sarah purchased an abandoned building that had once served as the Ogden Museum of Southern Art’s first location at 603 Julia Street in New Orleans. They opened the Orleans Gallery on May 3 with a triumphant Grand Opening that broke attendance records for a Gallery grand opening in New Orleans. The Gallery is always open and welcoming by appointment, and keeps regular hours throughout the year. We look forward to welcoming you soon!