Honoring: Ron Bechet, Dr. V. Joy Simmons, Arthur Roger, Krista Thompson, Nari Ward

Join us at The Sugar Mill to toast the opening of Prospect.6: The Future Is Present, The Harbinger Is Home, with live performances and food from the city’s top chefs. This evening celebrates the P.6 Gala Honorees: Ron Bechet, Dr. V. Joy Simmons, Arthur Roger, Krista Thompson, and Nari Ward. These Honorees have made important contributions to Prospect and New Orleans’ contemporary art community. The P.6 Gala is our sole fundraising event during the three-year exhibition cycle.

Event Schedule:

Patron Hour: 6–7 PM
Prospect.6 Gala: 7–10 PM

Honorees

Ron Bechet, a native of New Orleans, is celebrated for his intimate large-scale drawings and paintings that explore the human experience and cultural practices of the African diaspora and New Orleans' African-American culture. He is also the Victor H. Labat Professor of Art at Xavier University of Louisiana, with a career spanning over twenty years.

Dr. V. Joy Simmons is a renowned art collector and philanthropist who has been a vital supporter of artists of African descent. She mentors future art collectors and has played a significant role in shaping Los Angeles’s cultural landscape. Dr. Simmons has been a long-time supporter of Prospect since its inception.

Arthur Roger, the owner and director of the Arthur Roger Gallery, has been a cornerstone in the New Orleans art scene for over 45 years. His gallery has national recognition, and he has significantly contributed to the renewal of the visual arts in New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina. Arthur has received numerous awards for his philanthropic efforts.

Krista Thompson is the Mary Jane Crowe Professor of Art History at Northwestern University. Her work focuses on the modern and contemporary art of the African diaspora and the Caribbean. She is an acclaimed author and has received numerous grants and fellowships.

Nari Ward is known for his sculptural installations using discarded materials, addressing social and political issues surrounding race, poverty, and consumer culture. His work is part of major international collections, and he has exhibited in prominent institutions worldwide.