A love letter to the south
A Solo Exhibition & Celebration by destenee ellyah greeN
Saturday, May 10, 2025
In her photography debut at Saphira & Ventura Gallery, DesTenee Green’s A Love Letter to the South offers an intimate and evocative glimpse into her Mississippi roots and deep love for New Orleans, captured through the lens of 35mm film. Green weaves a visual tapestry that honors her lineage, elevating family heirlooms and cherished objects to timeless symbols of heritage. Through the art of self-portraiture, she boldly declares her coming-of-age as a young Black woman—emerging from the South and stepping into herself. The exhibition features a rich narrative, from images of local children and steadfast churchgoers to a plate of red beans and rice, each photograph telling the story of a region who still has something to say. A Love Letter to the South marks DesTenee Green’s artistic debut, offering a personal invitation to see the South through her eyes—where history, identity, and culture converge in an embrace of the past and present.
EXHIBITION opening & Reception
Saphira & Ventura Gallery
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Like a love letter revisited time and time again, the gallery offers a moment to pause, to take in each frame, and to savor. The evening opens with a private viewing, set against the backdrop of Southern cuisine, libations, and intimate conversation.
the celebration in motion
Wallflower
9:00 pm - 12:00 am
To love something truly is to surrender to it—to let it take you where it wants to go. The night shifts, the energy swells, and the exhibition comes alive.
From the gallery to the dance floor, we step into the heartbeat of the South—where music, movement, and joy are part of our language. A curated soundscape, an open bar, late-night bites, and an atmosphere where the only requirement is to feel.
attire: gallery opening aesthetic
Consider this a gallery opening —elevated, intentional, and expressive. Get a lewk off! Come as your most authentic self! Be art! But know—you will be eventually throwing ass…respectfully. (sorry mama)
location details & rsvp
📍Saphira & Ventura Gallery
4 W 43rd St. #416, New York, NY 10036
📍Wallflower
37 W 24th St. 18th Floor, New York, NY 10010
A quick 10-minute train ride or drive separates the two locations.
This is a full experience. A love letter should never be left unfinished.
RSVP by April 27, 2025 to confirm your attendance for the exhibition and celebration.
Due to the intimate nature of this event, RSVPs are for invited guests only. We appreciate your understanding and can't wait to celebrate with you!