The April 20 Museumgoer story in the Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate explores the New Orleans Museum of Art exhibit “New African Masquerades: Artistic Innovations and Collaborations,” which features costumes and masks by four West African artists.
Says a title-wall explainer: “Broadly considered, the masquerades on view here are three-dimensional reflections of concepts or ideas that are presented in a public or private event wherein humans, and sometimes spirits, participate to connect to one another.”
In addition to the 13 works of art on view, a captivating immersive video presentation in the exhibit, where masquerade performances are recorded in various locations, displays the art form on its feet.
Read the story here. Listen to a podcast interview with Amanda M. Maples, Françoise Billion Richardson Curator of African Art at the New Orleans Museum of Art and one of the exhibit’s co-curators, here.
“New African Masquerades” is on view through August 10, 2025.
Here are a few images from the exhibit:
Extra thing
A new exhibition at the Cabildo recently launched with a slate of public events. “Bienvenue Lafayette” marks the 200th anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette’s triumphant tour of the then-24 United States to celebrate the nation’s 50 years of independence, but especially his five-day residency in New Orleans in April 1825. He stayed in the Cabildo, which underwent a mid-six-figure (in today’s figures) makeover to ensure his comfort.
My preview of the exhibit for the Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate is here.
Some photos of the exhibit, including a cameo by Lafayette historical interpreter Mark Schneider (who addressed the French Quarter Festival crowd in Jackson Square on the morning of April 12), is below.
Special thanks to Amanda, Becky, and Steve (the latter two were interviewed for the Lafayette piece), and to you for reading and maybe listening.
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