Arabi Visual Arts
Arabi Arts District · Louisiana

A photography gallery that never felt like one.

Arabi Visual Arts was a working photography gallery and studio — run without the formality of a traditional gallery, built instead around fun openings, real conversation, and a curator who was usually also on the wall.

Arabi, Louisiana · Old Arabi Cultural District

About

Run by a photographer, not a gallerist in the traditional sense

Arabi Visual Arts was a photography gallery and studio founded and run by Christopher Ryan, who served as chief curator for the space while also showing his own work — usually as a small part of a larger group exhibition rather than the main event.

The space was built to feel approachable. No velvet-rope formality, no hushed reverence — just real work on the walls, real conversation in the room, and openings that people actually wanted to stay for.

The Studio

This is where it happened

Behind the gallery walls, Arabi Visual Arts was a working studio in every sense — host to visiting workshops from some of photography's most recognized voices, and the place where Christopher developed his own self-portrait and fine art nude portrait practice.

A model lit by two softboxes on white seamless paper inside the Arabi Visual Arts studio
  • Self-Portraiture

    Christopher's self-portrait and fine art nude portrait work was developed here session after session, testing composition, mood, and technique.

  • Visiting Workshops

    The studio hosted workshops from prominent photography speakers, including internationally recognized fine art portrait photographer Parker J Pfister and the ASMP New Orleans/Gulf South Chapter.

Exhibitions & Openings

Group shows, real crowds

Arabi Visual Arts hosted a run of group exhibitions over the years, bringing together local and visiting artists under Christopher's curation — most run through ArtCall.org, which preserves a full web gallery of every submitted piece.

View Past Exhibitions →
Connected Spaces

Part of the Arabi complex

Arabi Visual Arts was made up of several of the twelve studios that became a major draw to the district, and helped manage the neighboring glass-blowing studio in the same complex.

Photography & Gallery

Christopher Ryan Photography

The photographer and curator behind Arabi Visual Arts — current portfolio and body of work.

christopherryan.com → Cultural District

Old Arabi Cultural District

Arabi Visual Arts occupied several of the twelve studios that helped anchor this district.

arabiartsdistrict.com → Neighboring Venue

Zeitgeist Theatre & Lounge

The venue next door in the St. Claude Arts complex, and site of "The Curious World of Unusual Portraits," created and installed by Arabi Visual Arts.

zeitgeistnola.org →
Artists | Arabi Visual Arts
Arabi Visual Arts
Featured & Exhibiting Artists

Every show starts with the people who showed up

Artists featured across Arabi Visual Arts group exhibitions, organized by show. Where a show ran through ArtCall.org, artist names link directly to their individual profile pages.

A Celebration of the Human BodyDec 2021 – Jan 2022+
Extremities: An Exhibition of Hands and FeetMay – Jun 2022+

Christy Lorio contributed a photograph of her own hands taken during cancer treatment, one of the show's most personal works. She passed away in 2022, and her work is remembered here with gratitude.

Metamorphosis: from Marginal to MagnificentAug – Oct 2022+
Violated MetropolisDec 2022 – Jan 2023+
Louisiana Fish & Wildlife Photography and Art ExhibitionMay – Jul 2023+
The Naked ExperienceJul – Aug 2023+
New Orleans Drawing Group Member's ExhibitionOct – Nov 2023+
The Curious World of Unusual PortraitsDec 2023 – Feb 2024+