Inside the rambling 1877 town house that
is Upperline, visitors and locals alike may discover something new
about the Crescent City. That is because inside a treasure trove of
400 art objects and memorabilia accumulated over 40 years by JoAnn
Clevenger – each of them with New Orleans associations – awaits the
fortunate visitor.
Shelves and walls are packed full with
paintings, drawings, art pottery, sculpture, antique mannequins, photographs,
Jazzfest posters, and even a sugar bowl saved from the Bourbon House,
a now departed French Quarter haunt where JoAnn used to rub shoulders
with Tennessee Williams, Lee Friedlander and other bohemians in the
late 1950s. "I like to think I am fitting all my favorite parts
of New Orleans under one roof," JoAnn says.
JoAnn sometimes compares her art to the
dazzling flower arrangements that stand on the restaurant’s Art Deco
bar. "Sharing with others is a big part of why I do this – its
gone way beyond decorating a restaurant. The flowers are there for
today, they are a gift," she says. "And though the art has
more longevity, it’s also a reminder to take pleasure in the journey
– not just the destination. Isn’t that why we live in New Orleans?"
"Sister Gertrude Morgan".......Noel Rockmore
"Still Life Mangos".......Juan Laredo
"Love Yourself".......Martin LaBorde
