l'art Noir New Orleans::New Orleans Premiere Lowbrow Gallery

On Friday, February 13, 1998, Jeffrey Holmes opened the doors of l'art Noir for its first show, the Valentine's Day exhibition Broken Hearts. Over the next few years, l'art Noir went through several transitions as Holmes took on the difficult task of finding the right artists for his project. Since that time, l'art Noir became one of Broward County, Florida's only art galleries aimed at showcasing new, unknown talent, as well as popular, established artists. After several years in the Southern Florida climate, Holmes decided to move the gallery to New Orleans, an environment more conducive to the subject matter of l'art Noir.
1997: Frustrated that he could not break into the 'gallery scene,' Jeffrey Holmes decided to put on his own show out of his apartment. With the help of friend Vanessa, he created Galerie Macabre and produced 3 shows before Vanessa moved out of the building. Holmes put on one more show under the Galerie Macabre banner before the end of the year.	THE NEW ORLEANS/VOODOO SHOW - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1999 "The show was remarkable..." - Melissa Nessenson, editor, Discourse Magazine Nov/Dec '99 "...some of the most haunting low brow artist in Ft. Lauderdale." - Jennifer Rubenstein, EastSider Magazine, Ft.. Lauderdale, FL CITY LINK BEST OF 2000 - BEST LOCAL ART SHOW "When Art and Religion Collide at l'art Noir, Fort LauderdaleAmazing local talent, kick-ass theme and some of the most dedicated, supportive and visionary folks in the local art and music scene. Truly a slice of art-lover's heaven." - Michael Farver, publisher, City Link Magazine, April, 26, 2000 "Worst loss for the art scene: Master Jeffrey Holmes, head of the innovative Fort Lauderdale art collective L'Art Noir, who moved to New Orleans. Not only could he ferret out the best of cutting-edge artists, he threw mean parties to showcase them. At an end-of-year blowout, Holmes gathered his friends outside in order to set fire to a nude self-portrait of himself on a cross. But after several tries, it simply wouldn't burn." - Candice Russell, Art Critic, City Link Magazine, September 5, 2001 NEW TIMES BEST OF BROWARD - PALM BEACH 2002 Best Artist to Skip Town Master Jeffrey Holmes "In a town where crossing a busy street is more dangerous than the art scene, the loss of Master Jeffrey Holmes is significant. Last October, when Holmes finally made good on his threats to abandon Fort Lauderdale for New Orleans, the small outcast community he helped unite lost its strongest tether. Holmes's fascination with macabre and eerie images (tombstones, bloody roses, black cats, skeletons) manifested itself in some of the most intriguing and challenging art the town had to offer. His Sailboat Bend apartment/gallery, l'art Noir, was even patronized by Jimmy Page during his convalescence here. But the Master went out with a bang at his going-away bash. Any time a guy creates a life-size, nude self-portrait, sets it on fire, then skips town for good, we're the poorer for it."
August 2 Sunday - Galerie Macabre, Ft. Lauderdale Master Jeffrey, Lady Vanessa, Tony Baris & Jeff Osiras (and Frank Conde) Frank showed up at our doorstep at 8:30 in the morning with a portfolio of small works. Holmes found a little bit of wall space for him and he sold over 10 pieces. September 5 Friday - Galerie Macabre, @ The Red Room, Boca Raton Master Jeffrey, Lady Vanessa Jeffrey and Vanessa rented a hearse to chauffeur them to the show. The Boca crowd was not sure what to think. October 18 Saturday - Galerie Macabre, Ft. Lauderdale Master Jeffrey, Lady Vanessa & Frank Conde December 19 Friday - Galerie Macabre, Ft. Lauderdale Master Jeffrey, Frank Conde & Karen Leigh
1998: A new year and a new name. Frank Conde had moved into the building and so had Tracey Gantenbein. Frank worked with Holmes putting together the l'art Noir shows, and Tracey put together a gallery space in the nightclub 'Chili Pepper'. The Chili Pepper was where Holmes met Desiree Rowland, who would become an integral part of the project over the years.
February 13 Friday - l'art Noir, Ft. Lauderdale Master Jeffrey, Frank Conde, Karen Leigh & Nuclear Christ March 13 Friday @ the Chili Pepper - l'art Noir, Ft. Lauderdale Master Jeffrey, Frank Conde & Karen Leigh The artists put on a funeral procession through the streets of downtown Ft. Lauderdale into the nightclub - with Holmes riding inside the coffin. May 23 Saturday - l'art Noir, Ft. Lauderdale Master Jeffrey, Frank Conde introducing Anthony Mewt, Susanne Bartel & Desiree Rowland This was Anthony's first showing. He didn't even think his work was art. August 27 Thursday - 'Black & White' - The Gallery Cafe @ the Chili Pepper, Ft. Lauderdale Curated by Jeffrey Holmes & Tracey Gantenbein Tony Campagna, Anthony Mewt, Hubert Simon, Erick Osman, Jeffrey Holmes, Adam Robbins & Zak Sweeney October 23 Friday - l'art Noir @ the Chili Pepper, Ft. Lauderdale Master Jeffrey, Anthony Mewt, Frank Conde introducing Francesco LoCastro Francesco's first gallery showing, of which Holmes is honored. They did another 'coffin crawl' through the streets. October 24 Saturday - 'Dia de los Muertos' - l'art Noir, Ft. Lauderdale Featuring Ramiro Romero Garza with Master Jeffrey Holmes, Desiree, Susanne Bartel & introducing John Tischenkel
1999: The art scene in Ft. Lauderdale was really starting to blossom and Holmes began to meet and exhibit some very talented artists, many of whom would become his good friends.
February 14 Saturday - First Anniversary & Valentine's Day exhibit - l'art Noir, Ft. Lauderdale Skot Olsen, Hegina Rodriguez, Colin Christian, Sas Christian, Bo Hitchcock, Francesco LoCastro, Susanne Bartel, Master Jeffrey, Anthony Mewt, Frank Conde, John Tischenkel & Desiree Holmes's first show with lowbrow superstars Olsen, LoCastro and the Christians May 22 Saturday - Color! - l'art Noir, Ft. Lauderdale Ankristina, Michael Calloway, Sas Christian, David Diaz, Redmond Flores, Hegina Rodriguez, Jill Wiesberg & Skot Olsen This show threw everyone for a loop - l'art Noir doing a Color show. Colorful, but creepy. Holmes was recovering from a collapsed lung and hand colored 800 postcard invites. Great show! July 3 Saturday - The Human Form - l'art Noir & The Gallery Cafe @ the Chili Pepper, Ft. Lauderdale Bo Hitchcock, Wes Carson, Redmond Flores & Jeffrey Holmes August 21 Friday - The Surrealism Exhibition - l'art Noir & The Gallery Cafe @ the Chili Pepper, Ft. Lauderdale Curated by Jeffrey Holmes & Tracey Gantenbein Cabrizio Cruz, David Diaz & Carlos Maniero October 23 Saturday - the New Orleans/Voodoo Show - l'art Noir, Ft. Lauderdale Featuring Stan Street with Michael Calloway, Jacqui May & Master Jeffrey Musical guests: Stan Street & Piano Bob Someone called the cops on the show with a noise complaint - within 5 minutes the cops were dancing with the crowd. October 29 Friday - 13 Artists - l'art Noir @ the Chili Pepper, Ft. Lauderdale Tony Baris, Jennifer Brown, Holly Cappello, Colin Christian, Sas Christian, Frank Conde, David Diaz, Fade, Francesco LoCastro, W. Kelley Lucas, Jacqui May, Anthony Mewt & Master Jeffrey Featuring another 'coffin crawl', a costume contest and music by Purge.
2000: A stellar first part of the year for shows. Holmes was producing shows like crazy when a dear friend took him to New Orleans for Halloween (Holmes had lived there years before). Holmes could not resist the lure of the city, asis evident by the schedule (or lack thereof) for the last part of the year.
January 21 Friday - the Underground Exhibition - l'art Noir, Ft. Lauderdale Featuring Skot Olsen, Michael McGrane & W. Kelley Lucas with Kev Magill, Anthony Mewt, Colin Christian, Francesco LoCastro, Frank Conde & Master Jeffrey Mike McGrane was kind enough to come down from New York for the opening. Mike is now the owner of must-see Fuse gallery in NYC in the east village. February 12 Saturday - the Doll Show - l'art Noir, Ft. Lauderdale Anthony Mewt, Michael Calloway, Tony Baris, Jacqui May, Frank Conde, Rob Bovarnick, Shari Works & Master Jeffrey A few old ladies came through expecting a nice-nice dolly show. They never made it 10 feet passed the front door before turning and running. March 11 Saturday - Viva la Woman - l'art Noir, Ft. Lauderdale Sas Christian, Hegina Rodriguez, Katherine Mirto, Barbara, Jennifer Brown, Annushka Galgano, Jill Weisberg, Maria Nasif & Yee San Loh Sas sold her first painting in her new style at this show. *April 22 - When Art & Religion Collide - l'art Noir, Ft. Lauderdale** W. Kelley Lucas, Francesco LoCastro, Sas Christian, Colin Christian, David Diaz, Skot Olsen, Steve Sticht, Frank Conde, Rip, Backwash, Tommy Doodle, Jack Kearney, Katherine Mirto, Anthony Mewt, Jeffrey Holmes & Suzi Tattoozi Holmes considers this perhaps his best show ever. City Link Magazine's 'Best Local Art Show' 2000 June 2 Friday - the Sticht & Doodle Show - l'art Noir, Ft. Lauderdale* Steve Sticht, Tommy Doodle & June Bug June 3 Saturday - the Pirate Show - l'art Noir, Ft. Lauderdale Colin Christian, Sas Christian, Skot Olsen, Francesco LoCastro, Frank Conde, Steve Sticht, Tommy Doodle, Jeffrey Holmes, Karen Leigh, & many more Inspired by the street art of the 'blue bike' guys, Holmes put together a voyeuristic scavenger hunt. Invitations were given out with instructions to go to downtown Lauderdale (a 2 block area) and look for the pirate flag. When you found the flag you had to say the password which would get you a map leading you through the downtown area trying to find the 'artwork' placed earlier in the day by the participants. What was existing graffiti? What was placed there deliberately? It was an absolute blast and the artists of Ft. Lauderdale still carry on the fun to this day. June 9 Friday - The Controversy Exhibition - Broward Art Guild, Ft. Lauderdale Juror: Jeffrey Holmes of l'art Noir The Broward Art Guild asked Holmes to be the sole juror and he could not resist. It was the best controversy show they've ever had. August 3 Sunday - Rockin' the Guild - Broward Art Guild, Ft. Lauderdale by Jeffrey Holmes & David Diaz Fundraiser Concert and Exhibition Diaz and Holmes had over a dozen bands playing in 2 bars all day and night as well as an art exhibition and other fun events. They raised over $1000 for the Guild that day. Musical guests included; Purge, Scott Putesky & J.C. Rielly, the Livid Kittens, Chicken Box and the Necrophiles. December - A Retrospective - l'art Noir, Ft. Lauderdale Holmes had decided to move to New Orleans and this was the last show in his Ft. Lauderdale space. it was comprised of everyone that had ever showed with him, along with a few new artists, including Emily Schwartz. During the show Jimmy Page's wife offered Holmes $60,000 for a self-portrait he was about to torch. Unaware of who she was, Holmes asked if she had a checkbook, but stumbled off before she could answer and set the piece on fire. What remains is in the personal collection of Francesco LoCastro.
2001: Holmes had moved to New Orleans by July 2001 and was trying to get settled, but had to come back to Florida and do a show at Lalush for Halloween.
October 25 Thursday - Creep Show - l'art Noir & Lalush, Ft. Lauderdale Emily Schwartz, Francesco LoCastro Scary Mary, Colin Christian, Master Jeffrey & Anthony Mewt introducing Zero Clockwork
2003: It took some time, but Holmes was able to reopen the gallery on the grounds of the guest house that he was managing in New Orleans. It was in the old 'servants quarters' on the edge of an old plantation style house - alovely spot for gallery space until the owner sold the property.
October 23 Saturday - Debut Exhibition - l'art Noir, New Orleans Featuring Colin Christian, Sas Christian & Francesco LoCastro with Desiree, Frank Conde & Scary Mary and a rare viewing of 'Ugly Cat' by Zero Clockwork It was during this show that Holmes proposed to l'art Noir's graphic designer Andrea Garland (who said yes). November 21 Saturday - Group Show - l'art Noir, New Orleans Featuring Skot Olsen & Joshua Petker with Magie Mae, Jim Jeske & Juna November 23 Sunday - Book Signing & Reading - l'art Noir, New Orleans 'It Was Today' by Andrei Codrescu
2004
February 14 Saturday (6th anniversary show) - Bad Love & Valentines - l'art Noir, New Orleans Featuring the comic works of Caro Caron, Joshua Simmons & Richard Suicide One of Holmes's favorite shows, the turnout was low, it was cold and wet, but the artwork was some of the best he'd ever put together. March 27 Saturday - SHOW - l'art Noir, New Orleans Featuring Anthony Mewt, Emily Schwartz & Ernestine Emphatica with L.S. Williams & Master Jeffrey May 29 Saturday - Book Signing & Reading - l'art Noir, New Orleans 'Liquor' by Poppy Z. Brite Holmes has always been a fan, so this was a treat for him.
2005: Holmes and Garland purchased a residential/commercial building in New Orleans on April 1, 2005, giving the gallery a permanent home. The grand reopening was scheduled for October 29, 2005, but was postponed due to Hurricane Katrina. The gallery officially reopens November 11, 2006.