Photographer Sorena Briley smiling in front of the visual culture wall at the Contemporary Arts Center, with her name featured among esteemed artists.

Sorena Briley of Sorena Photography LLC stands proudly at the Contemporary Arts Center, where her work is prominently featured. Her radiant smile captures the essence of achievement and artistic recognition in the local art scene.

Photographer from Sorena Photography LLC taking a selfie with her featured works at the Contemporary Arts Center.

The artist behind Sorena Photography LLC, captured here at the Contemporary Arts Center, stands proudly with a collection of her photographic works on display. Her talent for capturing the essence of human emotion shines through in this exhibit, marking a notable moment in her artistic journey.

Contemporary art center featured artist

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My Work Featured in 'Gestures of Refusal' at the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans.

✨The New Year has rolled in with a wave of fresh starts and new chapters, but there’s one particular story I’m eager to share with you. It’s not every day you get to see your photos hanging on the walls of a place as esteemed as the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans and I am still riding the high of that reality.

Two of my photographs are currently on display in the 'Gestures of Refusal: Black Photography and Visual Culture' exhibit. One captures a moment of pure childhood wonder: A little girl, her eyes wide with amazement as she watches a butterfly. It's a little piece of magic, forever paused in time.

The other is an ode to lasting love. On their 50th anniversary, I photographed a couple whose laughter and easy comfort with each other tells you all you need to know about their journey together. It’s a powerful reminder that love can be as enduring as the souls who share it.

Shana M. Griffin, the curator, has created more than just an exhibition; she's pieced together a mosaic of Black life, culture, and love. It’s a visual celebration of the stories that Southern Black families have been telling for generations, now shared with anyone who walks through the gallery doors. Check Out https://www.seeingblack.org for more on Shana and the seeing black project.

Last night, Shana spoke about how a picture isn’t just something you see – it’s something you feel, hear, and remember. I couldn’t agree more. As I took in the works from other artists, I was struck by the symphony of stories each piece conveyed. And as much as I was there to observe, the art invited me to listen.

If you’re in New Orleans, I can’t recommend enough that you visit the Contemporary Arts Center at 900 Camp St. The 'Gestures of Refusal' exhibit is not just a collection of images; it’s a tapestry of experiences that deserve to be appreciated up close.

As a photographer, there’s no greater honor than sharing the stories that I see through my lens. This exhibit connects us all to a larger narrative, and I’m humbled to contribute to it. Here’s to a year of meaningful art and the stories it will continue to unfold.