New Orleans, LA (October 12, 2011) – On November 12th the New Orleans Museum of Art will celebrate its 100th anniversary with the Centennial Odyssey Ball, 2011… A NOMAOdyssey, generously underwritten by the Lupin Foundation and Peoples Health.

Since 1911, the Museum has expanded a world-class collection, the facility, and gained recognition as the finest art museum in the mid-South. This year’s Odyssey Ball, co-chaired by Brenda and Michael Moffitt, will mark the opening of NOMA 100: Gifts for the Second Century, an exhibition of extraordinary additions to NOMA’s permanent collection, given in celebration of the Museum’s first century and the commencement of the Museum’s future.

“As we embark on our second century, we continue to build on traditions, like the Odyssey Ball and create new ones,” said Moffitt. Susan M. Taylor, our new director, has articulated an exciting, innovative vision for NOMA. The core of this vision is to expand the reach of our collection to wider audiences, locally, nationally, and internationally.”

This 100 year Anniversary Ball expands the scope of NOMA’s extraordinarily successful past galas by creating a new venue: aVIP Lounge area sponsored by IBERIABANK for all donors at the $1,000 level and above. Ball patrons who participate at this level and higher will have private use of this special venue where ultra premium libations and hors d’oeuvres will be served, in conjunction with music, dancing and intimate spaces.

Deacon John and the Ivories will take center stage in the Freeport McMoran Great Hall sponsored by International Well Testers, Inc. and Jolie & Robert Shelton with additional entertainment by Leah Chase and ActionActionReaction in various parts of the Museum. Extraordinary cuisine by Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group, a Live and Silent Auction, valet parking, in addition to the opening of the NOMA 100 exhibition given by NOMA friends and family, will collectively set the stage for celebrating the museum’s next 100 years!

Also new this year: a Young Fellows Ball ticket for patrons 35 years old and younger. Tickets at this level are $95 and limited to 200 reservations. Patron party tickets are $250 and Ball tickets start at $150 for NOMA Members and $200 for Non-Members. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit: www.noma.org/odyssey2011.html or call (504) 658-4121.

Odyssey Ball Details
Patron Party, 7:30 to 9 pm – Odyssey Ball, 9 pm to 1 am – Young Fellows Ball, 9:30 pm to 1 am
Attire is Black Tie
Live Auction begins at 9 pm with four Silent Auction Boards closing between 9:45 and 10:30 pm

NOMA 100: Gifts for the Second Century Features Works by Anish Kapoor, Keith Sonnier, Matthew Barney, Jasper Johns, Sol LeWitt, Kathe Kollwitz, and Gabrielle Münter
On View November 12, 2011-January 22, 2012

NOMA 100: Gifts for the Second Century is the culmination of a five-year acquisition project, celebrating the Museum’s 100th anniversary with the exhibition of 110 newly acquired objects, ranging from a laminated color C-print by American artist Matthew Barney to a seven-foot long shark headdress from Nigeria. The exhibition, conceived by Director Emeritus John Bullard and trustee Anne Milling and on view from November 13, 2011 through January 22, 2012, reaffirms the museum’s commitment to collecting outstanding works and highlights the dedicated support of the museum’s benefactors. NOMA100: Gifts for the Second Century is a celebration of the museum’s growing permanent collection and also marks a pivotal moment of transition with the new directorship of Susan Taylor.

“ NOMA 100 is about telling stories: the story of the Museum’s evolution from an eleven object collection to a wide-ranging encyclopedic collection of over 35,000 works today; that of Director Emeritus John Bullard’s enthusiasm and tireless pursuit of extraordinary works; and the stories those works of art tell us about a culture, artist, and moment in time,” said Director Susan Taylor.

NOMA 100: Gifts for the Second Century is underwritten by Eugenie and Joseph Jones Family Foundation, Jones Walker Waechter Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre, LLP and Canal Barge Company, Inc.