HAITI-LOUISIANA

Each year, we choose a theme defining our new cultural season, which typically starts in early September and ends in late May. In 2023-2024, we chose to work on Haiti and question its relationship to Louisiana — particularly through the lens of the Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) and its (contemporary) impact on Louisiana.

Our season reached its height with the opening of Haiti-Louisiana: Tides of Freedom, an original exhibition curated by Max Jean-Louis and co-curated by Scott Tilton and Rudy Bazenet. The exhibition included 35 artworks by 8 artists, from both Haiti and Louisiana, and commissioned by Max Jean-Louis to celebrate the 220th anniversary of the Haitian Revolution. The exhibition also included 41 artworks (30 paintings and 11 beaded drapo) drawn from the Jacques Bartoli collection of Haitian contemporary art, previously presented in Paris (Grand Palais) and Miami. The exhibition, showcasing contemporary portraiture of historical and mythical figures, explored religious ties, climate change, and colonial legacies. For the opening of the exhibition, both RAM and Leyla McCalla performed for our over 200 guests.

Highlighting the importance of the exhibition, Haiti-Louisiana: Tides of Freedom went on to be presented at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. The exhibition was also covered by over a dozen press outlets, including NPR, Radio Canada, Artsper, WWLTV (CBS), and The Times Picayune.