Greetings!

"The World According to New Orleans" at Marfa Texas Ballroom was a GREAT opening and success for Rockmore, Ballroom Marfa & New Orleans artist. The 8 Rockmore works that Dan Cameron chose caused lots of buzz and people were asking questions and taking Rockmore GiveAways the entire time. The 2 hour opening lasted 2.5 hours and was followed by a GREAT community dinner with Little Freddie King providing blues entertainment. The next day was even better with a guided tour of Ballroom Marfa by Dan Cameron including introductions and words from all the living artist gathered. It was a once in a lifetime moment where you realized the power of New Orleans art and the impact that Katrina has had on each and every one of us culturally and artistically. The full house of art attendees there could not get enough of how all of the NOLA art was tied together. Fortunately, Tee was allowed to film it and will edit it down to share with the world and perhaps many public broadcast stations at a future date.  

Marfa Sign

Marfa Windmill

These are the sites you see as you are coming into Marfa after driving through many long hours of VAST West Texas wilderness. It is one mile high in altitude and sunny all of the time cool 40s in the am to mid 80s by 2PM. Dry, Dry, Dry - no rain or SNOW!  

Marfa clouds

Marfa Cactus

We spent time in Marfa getting to know the local folks who come from all over the world to live on this literal REMOTE ISLAND in West Texas far from what we think of as civilization. The town of 2100 is made up of ranchers, artists, retirees, townies and all sorts of folks who chose to relocate or be regular visitors to Marfa. The Chinati Foundation is located in town on a retrofitted abandoned military base behind the West Texas US Border Patrol headquarters. We visited Chinati and found it most interesting, everyone had some strong feeling! Hats off to Shirley Marvin, 88, who passed the high altitude desert exercise test with flying colors!

Chinati Question

Flavin Lights at Chinati

End of Minimalist Chinati Day

Next up was the opening of "The World According to New Orleans" at Marfa Texas Ballroom and it was exciting and packed. We prepared 100 Rockmore giveaway bags that were snapped up fast. The exhibit was divided into the "Live" and the "Dead" New Orleans Artist Room where the Marvins, Jana Napoli and Sacha Borenstien Clay mixed and chatted up the visitors who came from everywhere, including New York, LA, Dallas, Houston, etc. Sister Gertrude was a hit as well as Michael Smith's photography, Roy Ferdinands' work and Jules Cahns' Mardi Gras Indian film preserved by the HNOC.  

Left Director Fairfax Dorn and Marfa Ballroom Curator Mike Bianco the day before.

Dan Cameron greets NOLA natives Jana Napoli & Sacha

Rockmore Giveaway

Shirley by her Portrait

Nice Crowd

FREE Community Dinner

The "Live NOLA artist" room was really a treat and it was so interesting to hear all of the artist explain their motivations during the guided walk through. Katrina was easily the catalyst and common event that tied all of us (the artists, attendees and local Marfans) together. You don't think much of it until you hear each and every person tell how Katrina has affected them, their lives and their art.

Dan Cameron talking about Rockmore

3 NOLA Artist - Srdjan Loncar, Bruce Davenport & Courtney Egan with son

Artist Gina Phillips

The takeaway for us from this event is that Marfa is an interesting place that we will return to, the Marfa ballroom Museum and Dan Cameron know how to throw a FUN and ENTERTAINING event, Rockmore is still "The Man" garnering amazement and attention as his Artwork speaks for itself. Everyone was in awe of his art and also Shirley Marvin and her dedication to getting him the recognition he deserves. Really important Artworld connections were made (the Artworld movers look just like us but have power, wealth and influence and they know who each other are) and you can be sure we are following up. We will keep you posted.

Below are the 8 Rockmore's on eBay this weekend.

Have a great weekend,

Rich & Tee & Shirley Marvin

The Noel Rockmore Project Team - email link

The New Website - www.rockmore.org