Adelle Badeaux

Note: New Orleans experienced an exciting revitalization of its art scene in the 1980s and 1990s driven by a group of talented artists, gallery owners and art critics. The renovation and development of the Warehouse District in downtown New Orleans for the 1984 World’s Fair resulted in a group of forward-thinking gallery owners relocating their galleries or establishing new ones on and around Julia Street. Monthly openings were coordinated with the nearby Contemporary Arts Center to provide an exhibition arena and to entice collectors.

After retiring as a bookkeeper at a local tax service, Adelle Badeaux, initially an enthusiastic collector, focused her time and energy on creating art and participating in the art community. She faithfully attended openings, creating lasting friendships with many of the artists including Jacqueline Bishop, Douglas Bourgeois, Georges Febres and Martin Laborde. Largely self-taught, Badeaux’s works, which frequently contained biting political and satirical points of view, were exhibited in group shows at the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Contemporary Arts Center and the Arts Council of New Orleans, and she was represented by Heriard-Ciminio Gallery.