Events

Sponsored by The Northeast Louisiana Arts Council 

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About the Exhibition

Since 1963, the Masur Museum of Art’s Annual Juried Competition has been a platform for emerging contemporary artists working across the United States. Open to all media and styles, this exhibition has become the museum’s longest-running tradition and one of its most anticipated shows each year.

Each cycle, 1,000–1,500 works are submitted nationwide, while only a select group will be chosen to be on view for four months at the Masur. Alongside institutional recognition, chosen artists will compete for $3,200 in cash prizes awarded to first, second, and third place winners.

This is your opportunity to showcase your work to a diverse public audience, build your exhibition record, and be part of a tradition that has shaped the museum’s history for over sixty years.

About the Juror
Moment Solomon is an independent curator and the founder of Studio Acquisitions, a curatorial and acquisition practice that pairs people with objects they can find resonance in. The practice spans fine art, jewelry, and vintage objects, with a self-produced December 2026 collection, and an ongoing private practice in sourcing and curatorial consultations.

Her writings center theories on aesthetic judgment, with a thesis that argues the consumerist process of modern capitalism is a concealment structure for one’s taste, and these writings span a body of work that totals more than 190,000 words and has currently reached more than 182,000 readers.

She received her Bachelor of Arts in History from Williams College in Williamstown, MA, with selected study in the convergence of Black political thought and studio art. Her academic work includes critical studies on artistic and curatorial theory:

• Black life expressed through Black art, studied at the Williams College Museum of Art (2022)
• Literary and historical analyses of fictionalized and autobiographical writings on the Black Panther Party (2025)
• A critical survey of film from the beginnings of modern Hollywood to contemporary cinema (2021)

Her artistic engagement spans a variety of fields: Hip Hop dance since the age of 3, film studies, and art and media criticism — and each practice demands that the art she engages with argue a distinct perspective.

She previously served as a Development Associate at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA, and was involved in cross-departmental coordination with curatorial, collections, and marketing teams.

Important Dates:

Monday, December 16, 2026. 11:59 pm: Online submission deadline

Jan 14, 2027: Artists are notified of the juror’s selections via provided e-mail

February 22 – March 4, 2027: Artwork delivery period

March 11 – May 15, 2027: Exhibition on view at the historic Masur Museum

Opening Reception: March 11, 2027

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Masur Museum Main House 
December 3, 2026 – February 20, 2027 

Bernard Mattox is a New Orleans-based artist who specializes in multi-media and ceramics, presenting his 50-year retrospective with Masur Museum. His work blends the vibrant imagery reminiscent of New Orleans street-life with totem-like figures that call to mind tribal imagery.

Inspired by archeology, Mattox considers himself more of excavator than artist. His unfired ceramics and ritualistic shapes embody ancient spirits and forgotten deities.  These forms evoke the history of Louisiana not just as an early settlement for European settlers, but one of the oldest sites of earthen monuments in the country, such as the ridges and mounds in Northeastern Louisiana, built by indigenous people between 1700 and 1100 BCE.

Funding for the 2026 Rebirth Grant has been provided by the State of Louisiana and administered by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.
The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed by this organization do not necessarily represent those of either the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities or the State of Louisiana.

Image credits: Bernard Mattox, Alters and Alleys (Series) 1, mixed media on panel, 24 x 48 x 2 in, 2026, Lemieux Galleries, Louisiana

Join us for some festive holiday fun at the Masur Museum! Participants will create one-of-a-kind ornaments of their very own to take home, perfect for families to enjoy as the holidays approach.

Get into the Holiday spirit with the Masur Museum! Enjoy browsing the museum after hours during this festive event before the holidays are in full-swing.

Date: December 10, 2026
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: Masur Museum of Art

Admission is $25 but is FREE for members

Membership Admission: Please see your membership plan for more details regarding the number of free entries for each plan. Members will receive their complimentary tickets via email in November.

Purchase Tickets

Off The Wall Tickets
View the Auction

Friday, April 09, 2027 6:00 – 9:00 pm CST
Masur Museum of Art, 1400 South Grand Street

Join us for the 18th Annual Off the Wall fundraiser at the Masur Museum of Art!! OTW is the area’s premier art auction featuring an excellent selection of art by artists in our community and from around the country. The party includes an expanded bar and delicious food, both of which pair nicely with live music! Please join us for the best party in the Twin Cities!

Proceeds from Off the Wall support exhibitions and educational programs at the Masur Museum of Art. As the largest visual arts museum in northeast Louisiana, the Masur Museum of Art is vital to providing quality visual art experiences to the community of Northeast Louisiana. This is accomplished through temporary exhibitions, educational programs for all ages, and the management of a permanent collection.

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