EMBARGO DATE: December 1, 2014
CONTACT:
Karen Celestan (for Indian Queens) (504) 616-5595 [cell]
Jennifer Williams (for McKenna Museum) (504) 586-7432
Queens Rule! Exhibit at McKenna Museum opens Dec. 6 Images of Mardi Gras Indian Queens showcased in conjunction with PhotoNOLA initiative
NEW ORLEANS (November x, 2014) – Queens Rule!, an exhibit of images of Mardi Gras Indian Queens by photographers Dr. Freddye Hill and Dr. Jeffrey Ehrenreich opens on Saturday, December 6, 2014 at 6:00 pm at the McKenna Museum of African American Art, 2003 Carondelet St. The exhibit is in conjunction with the citywide PhotoNOLA program and will run through March 6, 2015.
The Queens Rule! Exhibit will feature over 40 archival photographs, studio portraits, Queens’ ritual attire and other artwork inspired by Mardi Gras Indian Queens. The exhibit is curated by Herreast J. Harrison of the Guardians of the Flame Institute and designed by graduate students in the Museum Studies program at Southern University at New Orleans, which is led by Dr. Sara Hollis.
Opening night of the exhibit will include a short theatrical performance featuring Tribal Queen Littdell Banister, Big Queen Laurita Dollis, Maroon Queen Cherice Harrison-Nelson, Barbara Lacen Keller and Dr. Roslyn Smith. The Queens’ “Theatre of Place” performance will be directed by Gerald Stropnicky, co-founder of the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble and the Network of Ensemble Theaters.
The Queens Rule! exhibit will have panel presentations, music performances and other events scheduled from December 2014 through March 2015. Additional event information will be posted on the Museum website at www.mckennamuseum.com.
Mardi Gras Indian Queens are members of xx tribes in New Orleans. Their dedication to community, culture and family has resulted in a unique cultural entity found only in New Orleans. The Queens spend a full year designing and sewing a new tribal suit which is displayed in scheduled parades and
for special events. The suits are tributes to ancestors, the spirit world, and African and Native American rituals.
The PhotoNOLA program is an annual celebration of photography in New Orleans, coordinated by the New Orleans Photo Alliance in partnership with museums, galleries and other venues around the city. PhotoNOLA showcases work by photographers and includes exhibitions, workshops, lectures, and galas. The event draws hundreds of photographers to New Orleans and seeks to enhance dialogue around photography. PhotoNOLA wants to develop New Orleans as a prime destination for photography collectors, photo enthusiasts and professionals.
The McKenna Museum is open Thursday through Saturday from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm, Wednesday by appointment, and is closed on holidays.