EXHIBITIONS

Black Masking Indian culture or “maroon heritage”, the term preferred by Maroon Queen Cherice Harrison-Nelson, has lived on since the late 18th century, recalling the overlap of indigenous and enslaved African peoples in maroon communities in rural Louisiana. Since its inception this tradition has been predominantly represented by men with each group led by a Big Chief. To be a queen in this work, according to Queen Cherice’s late father Donald Harrison Sr., is to be “... a mere embellishment. If a chief is pretty, he is prettier with a queen.”

But Queen Cherice’s life work has been more than mere embellishment. As an educator, visual artist, arts administrator, activist, actor, co-founder and curator of the Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame, her role of queendom has been joyous, but weighted, as it is a load often carried alone. 

Maroon Queen honors the living legacy of Cherice Harrison-Nelson of the Guardians of the Flame, as an anchor in stewarding this tradition. As she retires from this role, who will step to the throne in archiving this work, immortalizing the past of our ancestors and fueling the dreams of our future?

Cultures in the Crucible, Phase 3 features the contemporary works of five New Orleans based artists: Ashley Lorraine, Cassie Carpenter, Compton III, Jacq Francois, Kenneth Scott, and PRO$PER JONE$. This exhibition is an intimate glimpse into the multifaceted narratives of New Orleans life, curated by the co-founders of AbstractNOLA, Antarah Leilani Hasan-Spears and Kenneth Spears. We’re partnering with the organization as a continuation of our incubation program, which we’ve done since 2019. 

Through this iterative exhibition, we showcased works by 16 Black artists from New Orleans: Jay McKay, Cyph, phlegm, Bryan Brown, Kara Crowley, Kentrice Schexnayder, Delaney George, Jade, Jamal Denzel Barnes, Nesby Phips, Ashley Lorraine, Cassie Carpenter, Compton III, Jacq Francois, Kenneth Scott, and PRO$PER JONE$. 

The New Orleans African American Museum has been an incubator for organizations, projects and groups since reopening its doors in 2019. Abstract Nola, founded in 2016, has consistently had their finger on the pulse of black local emerging artists’ work. The New Orleans African American Museum Incubator Project is proudly supported by the Wisner Trust and prioritizes projects that are engaged in liberation practices including marronage and freedom forms of expression.
On view until February 25th, 2024

The Curatorial Studio, is an immersive exhibition inviting exploration of the boundless dimensions of Blackness and Afrofuturism. Visitors can immerse themselves in Afrofuturist books, films, music, and interactive prompts. The Curatorial Studio extends an invitation for visitors to actively participate in shaping the curatorial narrative of the Black experience across the boundless dimensions of space and time. Managed by curatorial assistant Amaya Cooper.