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For the Love of Art
Jean Bragg's Passion for Work,
Collecting Launched Her Career
Story by Debra Kronowitz
Women gallerists are said to be the direct descendants of the
feisty 18th and 19th century heiresses who hosted salons for
their favorite artists. In her Southern drawl, straight-talkin'
New Orleans
gallery owner Jean Bragg represents a significant milestone for
women not just in the art business, but those making career
choices in every industry imaginable.
Bragg
is the owner of Jean Bragg Gallery of Southern Art located on
Julia Street. The gallery showcases
contemporary artists in an effort to promote local talent and
complement the aims of the growing Arts District. She is a
businesswoman and a woman with a strong appreciation of art. Her
entry into the art world happened by way of a college art class.
“It was in that class that I fell in love with art,” she said.
From that moment Bragg began buying and collecting art. Her
personal collection is filled with 19th and 20th century famous
Louisiana artists, including Charles August Norieri, William
Aiken Walker, Joseph Rusling Meeker and William Henry Buck, to
name a few. “I am trying to buy one painting by each of the
famous Louisiana artists,” she said. “My enthusiasm
prompts me to be a collector of both the local emerging artists
and the legends of
Louisiana
art. It is a passion for work and collecting which neatly
complements one another.”
Bragg came to New Orleans in 1974 by way of Macon, GA.
In 1980, she opened her first antique shop on Oak Street. The shop specialized in Louisiana paintings, hand
carved Louisiana
duck decoys, and
Newcomb
College pottery. “I love
pottery – its shape and form; I can’t explain it, but it speaks
to me.” |
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Photos courtesy of Jean Bragg Gallery of Southern Art |
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Soon
after, Bragg decided to travel the antique show circuit in her
van with her devoted Peek-a-poo dog for company. In 1991, she
opened another gallery on
Magazine Street. The gallery had an
immense and varied inventory, including antique linens,
glassware, china, arts and crafts furniture, estate jewelry,
Louisiana
paintings and pottery. In 2005, the gallery relocated to the
Arts District into a historic 1832
Julia
Row Building.
With the move Bragg consolidated her inventory to feature only Louisiana paintings and
pottery.
“The move was truly a blessing. It’s exciting and fun to have
the people and the museum activities surrounding me. The move
opened up my world, which used to be in the quiet residential
area of Old Metairie,” she said.
Day
and night Bragg is surrounded by her favorite historical and
contemporary art. “There is excitement everyday with artists
coming in to show me their work or families bringing in their
attic treasures for evaluation. Since
New Orleans is the home of the celebrated Newcomb College Art
School, the treasures are
often breathtaking!” she exclaimed.
An avowed workaholic, Bragg says it is nearly impossible to
separate her personal life from her professional life. “That is
what gives me inspiration!” she exclaimed.
With very little “me” time, Bragg does enjoy reading
books, going to the movies and walking her two dogs. She is
active with the New Orleans Arts District Association and
supports a number of museum-related functions. She is also
involved in her church, attending two to three times a week.
Bragg participated in the renovation of her church building in
Mid City, which was empty since
Hurricane
Katrina. “I always
have to have a project. It usually is my building, my business,
NOAD or my church, and now I find myself becoming a
bed-and-breakfast for all my friends and family, especially
during Mardi Gras!” |
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