Boyd Satellite Gallery

Boyd Satellite Gallery is a contemporary art space located at 440 Julia Street in the New Orleans Warehouse District. Founded in December 2012 by architect Ginette Bone and artist Blake Boyd, the gallery opened to the public on January 5, 2013. Operating as a hybrid between a traditional fine art gallery and an alternative art space, it serves a dual mission: highlighting the work of Louisiana's influential contemporary artists while providing a venue for national and international figures.

The establishment of the gallery occurred rapidly, with Bone and Boyd getting the project off the ground during the week preceding its debut. Boyd, a Slidell-born satirist, was motivated to open the space after parting ways with several previous New Orleans galleries, including Galerie Simonne Stern, Gallery Bienvenu, and Arthur Roger Gallery. Although the gallery's BS initials and Boyd's reputation for elaborate pranks led some observers to question its seriousness, Bone emphasized the significant financial investment and earnest intent behind the venture. Bone, who hails from Surrey, England, conceived the gallery's space-age name and assumed the role of director, while Boyd serves as a consultant. The gallery replaced the previously closed Heriard-Cimino Gallery in the same Julia Street location.

The gallery represents artists working across a diverse range of media, encompassing painting, sculpture, photography, installation art, film, drawings, and prints. Its roster bridges regionally celebrated Louisiana artists with nationally established figures. In addition to its represented artists, Boyd has leveraged his personal connections to bring in works by notable friends and figures from broader art circles, including associates of Andy Warhol. The gallery also plans to make its space available for experimental site-specific projects by guest artists.

The inaugural exhibition, titled megalomania, opened on January 5, 2013, and featured portraits of co-founder Blake Boyd created by nearly 40 artists and personalities. This initial show included contributions from Andres Serrano, Taylor Mead, Billy Name, Dave Eggers, Sean Yseult, Al Jaffee, and Larry King. The gallery has also shown works by Louisiana magic realist Douglas Bourgeois and English pop art pioneer Derek Boshier. Before his death on May 8, 2013, Taylor Mead had been planning to move to New Orleans to create a solo show at the gallery to coincide with White Linen Night on August 3, 2013. Following his passing, the exhibition was rescheduled as a memorial retrospective, opening in August 2014.

The gallery is situated at 440 Julia Street, positioned at the epicenter of the New Orleans Arts District within the Warehouse District. The location previously housed the Heriard-Cimino Gallery before its closure in December 2012. The physical space functions not only as a commercial gallery but also as an alternative art space designed to accommodate experimental and site-specific installations.

Boyd Satellite Gallery is located at 440 Julia Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130. The gallery operates with regular hours from 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM on Tuesdays through Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, remaining closed on Sundays and Mondays. It participates in the local arts community events, including the New Orleans Arts District art walks centered on Julia Street.