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What We Fund

The Helis Foundation Gallery Collection

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For The Culture

An exhibition of painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture that celebrates the icons and the architects of New Orleans culture, as students, educators, and makers.

Prominent Works

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​​WE NEED TO UPDATE THIS LANGUAGE OR THE PHOTOS AS NOT ALL PROMINENT WORKS ARE IN THE LOBBY

The Lobby has been reconfigured to feature more prominently what are arguably the two most important works in the collection, those by Willie Birch and John Scott, both referencing New Orleans music giants, a common thread in the exhibition. To those entering the space, the Lobby will immediately communicate not only the caliber of artists contained in the collection, but also the range of media represented within it. The works in the Lobby will tease the subject matter most frequently represented in the collection; masking Indians, second lines, Mardi Gras traditions, and musicians represented with, or playing their instruments. Additionally, many of the common characters in the Lobby are repeated throughout the exhibition, like Louis Armstrong, James Booker, and Uncle Lionel. Color draws the visitor or student into the Lobby hall where the works feature powerful representations of musicians.

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"Doreen"

Aaron Belka

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"------"

Sidney Byrd

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"------"

Roe Herb

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"Joyce and George Wein"

Noel Rockmore

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"Portrait of Germaine Bazzle

Liz Einsig Wise

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"I Can Still Hear Buddy Bolden Play"

Willie Birch

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"------"

Nelson Cherise

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"Satchmo at Music Camp"

Ulrick Jeanne-Pierre

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"Louis-Neighborhood"

John Scott

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"The Funeral of Louis Nelson with Richard 'King' Matthews & Troy 'Trombone Shorty' Andrews"

Sidney Byrd

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"Six Piano Players - For One Night Only"

Keith Duncan

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"Dance Hall Fats"

Gina Phillips

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"Kidd Jordan"

Carl Joe Williams

The Helis Foundation

The Helis Foundation is a Louisiana private foundation, established and funded by the William Helis Family.

201 St. Charles Avenue, Suite 2600

New Orleans, Louisiana 70170

(504) 523-1831

jhaynes@thehelisfoundation.com

Arts presented by The Helis Foundation around New Orleans

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© 2026 The Helis Foundation.

All photos © Crista Rock unless otherwise noted.

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