Tomorrow at noon is the opening of the largest arts event the city of New Orleans has ever undertaken, Prospect.1. In terms of size, imagine that it’s the Mardi Gras of Art, with venues, like parades, popping up in neighborhoods all over town. Modeled on the Venice Biennial, Prospect.1 will showcase 81 artists from 30 countries, who have created works of art conceived to help the city heal from the scars of Hurricane Katrina and bring a different sort of international audience to a town used to visitors bent on partying in the tawdry tradition of Bourbon Street.
Acadiana artist Shawne Major is one of those 81 artists. She has been weaving giant tapestries for the exposition in her barn/studio in Opelousas for the last six months. Her work will be on exhibit at the Contemporary Art Center and Heriard-Cimino Gallery. You can hear an interview with Major on NPR’s website by clicking here.
The ribbon cutting for Prospect.1 takes place Saturday at 11 a.m., at the Louisiana State Museum U.S. Mint. A second line parade with music by Rebirth Brass Band will begin outside the mint and then head up Esplanade Ave. to the New Orleans African American Museum. At noon, all venues open to the public. All Prospect.1 venues are free, but you must pick up a ticket for admission; tickets are available at the Contemporary Art Center, the Hefler, New Orleans Museum of Art, and Old U.S. Mint. There is a free shuttle bus to take patrons to locations. For more information about artists, venues, shuttle schedules and events, go to the Prospect.1 Web site by clicking here.