Dirty Linen Night Comes of Age
July 2026The popular French Quarter artwalk has evolved into a major midsummer event, attracting people from across greater New Orleans area – and the Gulf South.
– by Kim Ranjbar
– photos by Ellis Anderson
This column is underwritten in part by Betsy Fifield
“We're actually at a point where we feel this event is perfect,” says Ryan Tramonte, general manager of French Art Network, which includes Galerie Rue Royale. “We have finally found the formula, finally grown up. Our baby's going to college!”
Though Dirty Linen Night has changed hands from planning committees to event organizers, over the past few years, while under the purview of Royal Street gallery owners and managers Matt Rinard (Gallery Rinard), Catherine Betz (Elliot Gallery) and Ryan Tramonte (Galerie Rue Royale), the celebration has “finally come into its own.”
Dirty Linen Night artwalk organizers since 2017, Ryan Tramonte, Catherine Betz and Matt Rinard
Betz says the event has seen continuous growth every year and has high hopes for the event’s ability to draw more visitors and locals into the historic neighborhood during late summer.
“It seamlessly integrates the shops and galleries with the vibrant soul of New Orleans – where creativity hangs like laundry for this French Quarter tradition,” she says, referring to the popular t-shirts on clotheslines banners spelling out the name of the event.
Photo courtesy Dirty Linen Night
The initial Dirty Linen Night launched in 2001, the brainchild of local artists at RHINO Gallery (Right Here In New Orleans), a co-op located in Canal Place. The event began as an intracity jest – a friendly, yet competitive jab at Whitney White Linen Night, Warehouse/Arts District artwalk held the first week of August.
The co-op artists of RHINO invited everyone who had attended White Linen Night to don their dirty linens, kick off their heels and enjoy a funkier, more casual evening on Royal Street the following weekend. RHINO jeweler Linda Sampson came up with the snappy name, according to New Orleans hat designer, Tracy Thomson of Kabuki Design Studio, who was one of the original organizers.
For the next few years, Thomson went door to door on Royal, persuading skeptical gallery owners to keep the event going. As the event gained steam, a revolving group of volunteers joined Thomson, (including Joann Abbot Thaxton, Tyra Brown, Rachel Vella, Laurie Toups, Gene Meneray and David Lord).
“Dirty Linen is kind of my baby,” says Tracy, who moved to New York State a few years ago. It’s unlikely the designer ever imagined it would become an event that pulls thousands of art lovers from across the region.
The green fence is gone!
Tramonte remembers Tracy coming into his gallery that first year and asking him to participate.
“I was new to the neighborhood then, but said, what can I do to help? Do you need money?” he recalls. “The next year, she asked me if I would be willing to help her organize it. I asked her to lose my number!” Tramonte says, laughing. “Now here I am! I should have just put in my time with Tracy back then!”
Though Dirty Linen Night has been streamlined through the trio’s diligent efforts over the past decade, the biggest transitions to the midsummer festival have occurred with the organizers themselves.
“Matt [Rinard] lost his lease at his location in the 600 block that he had for over 20 years, and [the gallery] moved to the 900 block,” explains Tramonte. “Catherine [Elliot Gallery] moved from the 500 block to the 200 block, so we're just feeling all these changes.”
While moving an established business is always challenging, the change has also given them perspective. In previous years, the organizers were all clustered into a two block radius where now, with Elliot Gallery at one end and Rinard Gallery at the other, they have more intimate knowledge of what’s happening in all parts of Royal Street.
Catherine Betz in her new location at 221 Royal Street on Dirty Linen Night 2025. She’d just opened the doors.
This fresh outlook is supplemented through a new social media marketing campaign created by Stephen Young, a global business photographer known for creating captivating, Google-powered 360 videos and images. “He does all the galleries and restaurants in the Quarter,” explains Tramonte. “I brought him on to do our social media and he's knocking it out of the park.”
While driving business to the galleries and shops on Royal Street during the summer slowdowns has always been the aim of Dirty Linen Night, over the past few years, their reach has grown. In 2024, the event expanded to include The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum located in the 500 and 600 block of Chartres Street, and bespoke clothing store Natty Adams at 708 Toulouse St.
This year the event is excited to welcome a few new participants, such as the Iris Gallerie, a global art concept born from a collaboration between founder Emeric Wehbeh and French photographer Francis Giacobetti. The inspiration came from Giacobetti’s book VISION which explored the cosmic beauty and individuality of the human iris. Today, in galleries all over the world, macro-photography is made accessible to the general public where guests can see their own eyes as unique, artistic masterpieces.
Along with the organizers' art studios – Elliot Gallery, Rinard Gallery, and Galerie Rue Royale – participants listed on the event’s signature fan (part of the swag handed out to guests) include galleries of nationally known artists like James Michalopoulos and the late George Rodrigue, both of whom are subjects of recent award-winning documentaries.
Work in the Michalopolous Gallery on Dirty Linen Night 2024
Rodrigue Studio, 730 Royal Street, Dirty Linen Night 2025
Also, noted galleries from local artists such as Craig Tracy, Matthew Peck, Frank Relle and Isabelle Jacopin join the more than 62 participants this year.
Beyond the galleries, Dirty Linen Night has added The Shop at The Collection inside the Historic New Orleans Collection, Leroy’s Place, The Rising Son men’s apparel store and housewares gift shop Gem de France.
The event's increased popularity over the past few years enabled the creation of the Royal Street Arts District, a non-profit organization through which Dirty Linen Night can now give back to the community. “[In 2023] we did a lot of work for [NOLA Dogs] Race to the Rescue and several no-kill shelters in the city.” explains Ryan.
This year, Dirty Linen Night's central donation recipient is the PLEASE Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping at-risk youth receive the best education available in New Orleans. Founded by Yvette Endom in 2007, the PLEASE Foundation provides training and scholarships for inner-city kids, enabling their attendance at college preparatory schools in the city.
Though Dirty Linen has garnered several sponsors – from the Rib Room to AMPF Frames – the bulk of funds raised for charity come from a raffle held during the event. The raffle prizes for 2026 include “Woman with Amphora,” a framed lithograph by Matisse donated by the Elliot Gallery, and two bottles of Bordeaux from Seignouret Vineyards in France, donated by the Historic New Orleans Collection.
Held in mid-August with sweltering temperatures and weather threats, Dirty Linen Night is an event which wouldn't survive without support from locals in the Greater New Orleans area.
“We just want to bring people to Royal Street for a span of time that's safe, secure, and open to the public,” explains Ryan. “It's $20 if you want to drink, but if not, it's free to come down and take part in the fun.”
Safety and security are a priority for the organizers of Dirty Linen Night – in fact, the lion's share of their funds go into ensuring a large police presence the night of the event. This includes having EMTs on standby in case of an emergency and going through the proper channels to acquire permitting.
“The most important part of it is to keep our event safe and for people to talk about how much fun they had.”
With attendance and participation increasing with each passing year, it's safe to say fun will certainly be had. “It's the greatest drink deal! You pay the $20, you get the wristband, and you drink free for three hours.” laughs Ryan.
*Dirty Linen Night 2026 celebrates its 23nd anniversary on Saturday, August 8 in the 200-1100 blocks of Royal Street and select Chartres Street shops from 6-9pm. Purchase your wristband online here.
**Although it began in 2001, there was a hiatus during the pandemic years, making 2026 the 23rd annual event.
