Contact Us (504) 931-1915
Join Our Mailing List
Fun Inspiring Enriching
Local African American Artists
New Orleans, LA
Upcoming Exhibit
About Us
Through a variety of art exhibitions, high quality programs and events, M. Francis Gallery proivdes fun, inspiring and enriching experiences.
We feature the work of local African American artists living and working right here in New Orleans every month.
Whether it is a fun night on the town painting in the gallery, traveling with the collector's circle or signing the kids up for enriching art experiences , you are sure to find something to pique your interest in this wonderful and exciting world of art.
Located in the beautiful Historic Arts District of New Orleans, M. Francis Gallery is surrounded by some of the city’'s best museums, restaurants, and galleries.
Mission
Our mission is to provide high quality, customer service oriented, unique and creative art experiences and products to our customers.
Our History
M. Francis Gallery has been in existence since 2005 as an online gallery selling the work of artist and owner Myesha Francis. The company opened its first physical location in 2009 at the Entergy Innovation Center in the upper ninth ward of– New Orleans. M. Francis Gallery moved to its second location in May 2010 and is currently located at 604 Julia St. in the Historic Arts District of New Orleans.
Our Team
604 Julia St. Suite 101
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 931-1915
mfrancis_mfrancisgallery.com
(504) 481-7756
ewhiley_mfrancisgallery.com
Myesha Francis Executive Director/ Artist
Myesha Francis is the founding Director of M. Francis Gallery. Myesha holds a B.A. in Art History and Studio Art from the University of Texas at Arlington, as well as a M.A. in Museum Studies from Southern University at New Orleans. During her time at Southern University, Myesha was awarded the Margret Burroughs Wright Fellowship. She has also studied aboard in Italy at Lorenzo de Medici, The Art Institute of Florence. Ever the scholar, Myesha has done independent study in Cameroon West Africa. She is both an artist and visionary who has inspired the lives of many through her work at M. Francis Gallery.
Ellene Whiley Director of Programs/ Artist
Ellene Whiley holds a B.A. in Studio Art from Spelman College and a M.A. in Arts Administration from the University of New Orleans. She studied abroad at the LaCoste School of Art in France. Ellene has also done advanced studio studies in New York at Parsons School of Design. In addition she served as the 2004-2005 Romare Bearden Fellow at the Saint Louis Art Museum. She is an experienced artist, art instructor, and arts administrator.
Join us on the 1st Saturday of every month for the Julia St. Art Walk as we unveil a solo exhibit each month by a local African American artist.
February 4th - In Black: A Point of View
Group Exhibition featuring THE CORE
D rawing from their individual, personal backgrounds, experiences, education and artistic influences, each artist has created a work of art that exemplifies their artistic statement while imbuing their work with a sense of place and time in the world when responding to the theme “In Black”. The pieces in the exhibit range from socio-political and spiritual to completely conceptual and abstract ideas of what “In Black” means.
What is The Core? -
The Core is a group of African American artists currently living and working in New Orleans. The name of the group symbolizes the starting point/ place in the world for which each artist in the group has drawn their first bits of inspiration which is symbollically represented by the city of their births - New Orleans.
Who are the artists represented in The Core?
The artists in the group are Myesha Francis, Jerome Ford, Ellene Whiley, Carl Joe Williams, Sharika Mahdi, John Moore, Ayo Scott and Kenetth Scott.
March 3rd - Soul Searcher
Solo Exhibit featuring Carl Joe Williams
April 7th - Jammin' on Julia - New Orleans Colorscapes
Solo Exhibit featuring Ellene Whiley
May 5th - The Family Porch in New Orleans Tradition
Solo Exhbit featuring Sharika Mahdi
June 2nd - Julia St. Art Walk
Solo Exhibit featuring John Moore
July 7th - Essence Music Festival Weekend
Julia St. Art Walk
Group Exhibit featuring work by gallery artists
August 4th - Whitney White Linen Night - The Art Event of the Year!
"A Look at Color"
Group Exhibition featuring gallery artists
September 1st - Julia St. Art Walk
solo exhibit featuring Jerome Ford
October 6th - Julia St. Art Walk
solo exhibit featuring Kenneth Scott
November 3rd - Julia St. Art Walk
solo exhibit featuring Myesha Francis
December 1st - Julia St. Art Walk
solo exhibit featuring Ellene Whiley
$1800
Myesha Francis' work is a bold interpretation of the vibrancy of life. She is a brilliant colorist who focuses her attention on evoking moods through her work.
Her jazz pieces not only captures the vibrancy of the New Orleans music scene but also the energy that the music evokes. "I imagine that viewers can feel the liveliness and spontaniety of jazz music when they are viewing my work."
Her figuarative works are almost the opposite as they focus on finding a sense of peace in the midst of sucha a vibrant life. The overall message in the figurative pieces are that of love, joy and a sense of self in the midst of a chaotic world.
In essence, Myesha's works are a beautiful display of a balanced and fun world where art, music, peace and harmony all come together.
Sold
$2500
On Sale
$350+
about the artist
Ellene Whiley's work focuses on the basic elements of art - line, shape and color. She uses the elements to break down objects and shpes to their basic shapes and forms.
In her most recent series of work - New Orleans Colorscapes, Ellene utilizes these elements to create vibrant abstract representations of New Orelans landscapes.
Jerome Ford
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Jerome Paul Ford established his reputation as a figure and genre painter, particularly of South Louisiana subject matter. He was raised in the lower ninth ward of New Orleans. The second of four children, Ford learned at an early age that creativity was the source of his childhood excitement. His mother, a teacher, taught him and his siblings to dream big and apply themselves in all their endeavors. A biblical quote that she frequently referenced was, “All things are possible through Christ Jesus, who strengthens.” This quote would be foundational in Ford’s future aspiration to become an artist. Ford’s creativity also stems from the artistic seed that was planted in him as a child and continues to flourish in his life.
His father, a carpenter and amateur sculptor, was his first inspiration. He carried a rolled up canvas behind the seat of his truck. He would roll it out and let Ford and his siblings draw. By the age of 12, art had become more than just a rolled up piece of canvas behind the seat of his dad’s truck. Ford was desperately seeking more. In high school, he was involved with the New Orleans Talented Visual Arts program. Through this program, Ford began to lay the foundation of art discipline that helped develop the unique artist he is today.
Ford received his BFA in painting and drawing, with a minor in print making, from Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge in 2003. His work has been accepted to hang in many local and national juried exhibitions of which he has received many honors and awards. After graduating, he taught in the talented visual arts program with the New Orleans Public School System. In 2006 Ford moved to his wife’'s home town in Opelousas, Louisiana where he continues to teach and create works of art. Ford’s works suggest inspiration, intuition, and visual reference - accompanied with the culture and heritage of South Louisiana.
2nd Line Funeral Procession
Framed
Shairka Mahdi
$425
$325
The work of Carl Williams is a complex combination of rhythms and patterns . His work uses music as a model through which he incorporates its dynamic elements, structures and rhythms into each piece of art.
Through the use of found objects such as shipping palettes and figurines, Williams creates a continual narrative which flows through each piece. Each element is intricately woven into his work thereby creating a new meaning or context for the object. He uses these objects as a way to express the interrelationship of life forces , which continues to inform his works.
When viewing the work of Williams, one begins to see how the artist has visually interpreted different rhythms and harmonies. These rhythms and harmonies converge into a symphony of color, that work together to create a powerful visual experience.
$1200
Images Coming Soon
Houston, TX Packages
New - Lower - More Convienient Pacakges
All Access Only Pass $120 - Call (504) 451-7756
(does not include transportation or hotel)
Package B
Package A
Package C
Package D
Package A - $418/ person
Now includes hotel with one person occupancy and ground transportation to Houston
Nonrefundable Deposit - $209 due by Feb. 7th
Payment II due Feb. 20th
Only 3 More Spaces Available
Houston Trip Package A Deposit
Due by Feb. 7th
$209
Houston Trip Package A - Payment II
due by Feb. 20th
Make My Oline Payment Now
Package B- $306 (includes hotel with one person)
transportation to Houston not included
Nonrefundable Deposit - $153 - due by January 20th
Payment II - $153
Houston Trip Package B- Deposit
due by Feb. 7th
$153
Houston Trip Package B - Payment II
Package C- $325/ person (2 night hotel stay included -2 per room) includes ground transportatino to Houston)
Nonrefundable Deposit - $162.50 due by February 7th
Payment II - $162.50
Houston Trip Package C- Deposit
due by JFeb. 7th
$162.5
Houston Trip Package C - Payment II
$257
Need Help? -
Contact Ellene Whiley at (504) 481-7756
Package D -$213/ person - (includes hotel with two person occupany)
Non-refundable deposit - $106.50 Due by Feb. 7th
Payment II - $106.50 due by Feb. 20th
$106.5
Enjoy entertaining, domestic travel full of fun with behind the scenes art experiences. We've found some of the best art scenes and locations, art scholars and professionals our country has to offer and we want to share this colorful , enriching and exciting world with you.
Upcoming Trips Include...
Houston, TX - February 24-26th
Visits to
Also includes
Packages Start at -$350
Natchez, MS - April 2012
A very special weekend retreat at the beautiful Natchez Manor Bed and Breakfast and special behind the scenes art tours through this culturally rich and charming little town.
New Orleans, LA - August 2012
Explore the Big Easy with us!
With Behind the scenes art experiences and special VIP receptions and art talks with our artists, this is one you won't want to miss.
Miami, FL Art Basel - Rescheduled to 2013
Egypt - November 2012
click here to see our International Art Tours
For more information about the upcoming weekend trips, please fill out the form below and we'll contact you asap.
Bon Voyage!
Great Art Around the World
Cruise the Nile and visit the Great Pyramids with us on a 10 day guided tour as we explore the Egyptian Kingdom in the wake of a new dawn. We will travel to Cairo, Luxor, Esna and other short stops along the way.
The tour will begin stateside with a 4 part Art Talk at M. Francis Gallery guided by Ellene Whiley
May 28, 2012 - A Look at Egypt Art Talk Part I
June 26, 2012 - A Look at Egypt Art Talk Part II
July 31, 2012 - A Look at Egypt Art Talk Part III
August 28, 2012 - A Look at Egypt Art Talk Part IV
Total cost of trip - $3444
(All inclusive)
Egypt Info. Session - February 21st 7-8 p.m.
M. Francis Gallery
For more information via email, please fill out the form below and we will send you more detailed information as well as an online link for payment information.
Florence, Italy - Rescheduled
April 2013
Cameroon, West Africa - Rescheduled
December 2013
Online Registration
Need Help?
Contact Ellene Whiley at (504) 784-7756
Let your child'’s imagination and creativity soar in the Creative Kids: Explore Art program.
The Creative Kids program is an enriching eight-week Saturday series designed to introduce children to a variety of art media, the elements of art, and famous artists. The program is designed to not only enrich kids beyond arts and crafts but also to help them explore art and problem solving in creative, thought provoking, age appropiate ways.
The program also includes a Mommy and Me Field Trip Day. During the field trip parents gain information about the many benefits of art education and helpful hints on nurturing their child'’s creative spirit. Creative Kids: Explore Art culminates in a celebration of our young artists during a student exhibition at the gallery.
Creative Kids is designed as an ongoing devlopmental program.
Spring Session 2012
Begins Sat. March 10, 2012
9 a.m.-12 p.m .
Spring Session Dates
March 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st
April 7th. 14th, 21st, 28th
Cost - $165
Registration - $25
Space is very limited
Only 15 kids admitted per session
Spring 2012 Registration
$25
Spring 2012 Registration and 8 Week Session
$190
Register Online
For more information, please fill out the form below and we will contact you asap. Or contact Ellene Whiley at (504) 784-7756
604 S. Julia St. - New Orleans, LA - 70130
For More Information Call us at (504) 931-1915
Art By Myesha Francis of New Orleans, LA
Myesha Francis
All Rights Reserved
New Orleans Art
New Orleans Painting
Passion 2 Paint
Art Parties and Art Classes in New Orleans
featuring New Orleans Art and New Orleans Artists
freaturing New Orleans Art and New Orleans Artists
