Hurricane Gustav Alert

Due to the threat posed by Hurricane Gustav to the New Orleans area, the campus of Xavier University is now closed. The campus will reopen on Thursday, September 6. For those students who had yet to pick up their projects from the Art Village, please know that we have moved your artwork to a secure location. You may retrieve your work once campus has reopened. In the unfortunate event of an extended evacuation like the one following Katrina, we will make alternative arrangements to get your artwork to you.

2008 Mardi Gras Indian Arts Intensive Ends

The 2008 Mardi Gras Indian Arts Intensive concluded with an exhibition of student work at the Xavier University Library Art Gallery. The exhibition ran from August 1-11. Check back later for images from that event. Also check back within the next few weeks for news of exciting fall and spring exhibitions and events. These exhibitions and events are still in development. We will provide further details when available. Thanks again to everyone who made this summer's program a huge success!

Who's "The Prettiest"?

Walter Landry, instructor for the "Uptown" sewing portion of the curriculum, brought in his suit from this year's Mardi Gras for students to view and try on. Students who tried on the suit got a feel for just how heavy all of the beaded pieces are when worn together. They also got a sense of what it is like to try to move around while carrying the weight of a suit.

More Sewing in the "Uptown" Style

Here are some more images of students' work in the "Uptown" sewing style.

Learning the "Uptown" Style

This week, students began learning the "Uptown" style of sewing a Mardi Gras Indian costume. Walter Landry, who has masked with the Golden Arrows and the Golden Blades Mardi Gras Indian Tribes, is serving as instructor for the next two weeks. During the next two weeks, students will learn how to sew both a patch and a brooch. Patches and brooches are important foundation pieces when creating an Uptown style Mardi Gras Indian suit. Patches are created by beading pictures onto canvas. Brooches, which are added to suits as jewelry-like adornment, are also created on canvas using gemstones and rhinestones.

Filmmaker Rebecca Snedeker Pays Students A Visit

Filmmaker Rebecca Snedeker stopped by yesterday to screen her film By Invitation Only for students. The film is a documentary giving viewers an unprecedented look into the exclusive world of New Orleans' mainline Carnival krewes and their traditions. For more information about the film or to view a trailer, click here.

That's A Wrap!

Students wrapped up filming today for the Mardi Gras Indian claymation movie. Everyone celebrated by watching a rough cut of the film. Gabe, Kate, and Amanda supplied the popcorn and juice. Additional edits will be made before the film has its premiere at our exhibition of student work on August 1, but it already looks great!