Macabre gallery opens in time for Halloween
Bywater Marigny Current; Vol 2, Issue 2; Oct. 17 - Nov. 21, 2003
by Frances Dugas; Staff Writer

"There's a lot of darkness out there in things you wouldn't think," says Jeffery Holmes, with a knowing raise of his eyebrow.The little man with many tattoos and a pointy beard is Master Jeffrey Holmes; he is your host, and he knows a bit about the macabre side of visual art.It was the dark side of New Orleans that drew gallery owner Holmes from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to relocate his brainchild, l'art Noir, to the city synonymous with macabre themes and history."South Florida is just not conducive to the type of art work I do because it's all darker art," says Holmes. "This is not stuff to match the living room couch."Master Jeffrey (as he's known in Florida) hosted his last l'art Noir show in Florida two years ago.  His first show in New Orleans will be October 25 deep in the Bywater, at Mazant and Burgundy Streets.Six artists will come from Florida for this first exhibit. All have previously exhibited with Master Jeffrey in Florida, except local New Orleans Goth queen Scary Mary. Featured will be Sas Christian and her stirring caricatures of wide-eyed girls.  Husband Colin Christian and Francesco Lo Castro will also be featured at the October 25 show. There will also be rarely-exhibited artists like Zero, who uses charcoal to draw her "Ugly Cat" comic sketches with titles like "Ugly Cat Awaits Death & Madness."Holmes envisions his black art gallery as a showcase for national and local artists, experienced as well as novice."That's the Catch 22 about art. If you haven't had a show, you can't get a show," says Holmes. Holmes says his new gallery will show, "anything a little twisted, demented, or disturbing.""That doesn't necessarily mean vampires with blood dripping," he continues. "Although there is that end of it; it's not all necessarily morbid." There are plans for events other than art exhibits.  Graphic designer and co-host Andrea Garland says the gallery will regularly host book readings and signings.The building now housing l'art Noir went through renovations taking Holmes three months and a lot of help from loyal friends to complete, but the result is a spacey two-room gallery with a nice feel.

"I basically just commandeered the building in the back," says Holmes, who also runs the Mazant Guest House located on the same property as the l'art Noir building.  Both buildings are owned by Robyn Halvorsen.DJ Deathpump, Madame M, and Scary Mary and the Pussybones will play the pre-party on October 23 at Cafe Brasil.  An upcoming November exhibit featuring Skot Olsen will have three local artists.

What: Debut exhibition of macabre artWhere: l'art Noir Gallery, 906 Mazant Street

When: Opening Saturday, October 25, 6pm - 10pm