Sewing Continues

Students continue to make progress toward completing their "Downtown" style sewing projects. Check back next week to see the finished pieces.

Here It Is

Here's the finished papier mache skull. Very scary!

Them Bones

Filmmaker Royce Osborn took time out today from his role as our documentarian to lead the students in several activities related to New Orleans' skull and bone gangs, another local Black Carnival tradition. Royce has masked for several years now with a neighborhood bone gang.

First, the students were treated to a surprise visit and performance by two skeletons, after which they were able to try on the skeleton costumes. Next, they worked individually to create designs for bone gang aprons. Finally, they worked collaboratively to create the same type of papier mache skull worn by members of the bone gangs. The skull is still drying and will be painted tomorrow. More to come.

Students Customize and Print Their Program T-Shirts

Students have customized and printed their own t-shirts to be worn on field trip days and kept as a memento of the summer. Each shirt has the intensive's logo on the front, but is distinguished by having the student's custom design on the back. Three graduate students from from the Public Practice program at Otis College of Art and Design (thanks Candy, Kate, and Andy) led a silkscreening workshop for students where they worked out their design ideas, first on paper then on the computer, and learned about the steps that comprise the silkscreening process. Xavier art professor Ron Bechet then walked students through how to do the final printing of the t-shirts using the silkscreening equipment in the art department's printmaking studio.

Field Trip to Mardi Gras World

Today was our first field trip day for 2008. We went to Mardi Gras World for an inside look at how floats are made for the city's many mainline Carnival krewes, including Rex, Endymion, Bacchus, and Orpheus. Students began the tour by trying on an assortment of Carnival costumes. They then watched a short film on the history of mainline Mardi Gras, after which they were served king cake, a traditional Carnival season treat. Later, Ms. Lynn, our tour guide, led everyone through Mardi Gras World to see the paint and carpentry shop where artists build and decorate floats as well as the float storage areas.

Making Us Proud

We hoped that students who participated in our program last year would continue to sew and build skill. We have not been disappointed. Despite our high expectations for the program, even we have been amazed by the speed and skill with which some second year students are sewing. These were students who, on day two of sewing last year, still struggled to thread a needle.

Sew Sew Sew

Today was the first full day of sewing in the Downtown style for students in the program. The day began, as every day will for the next four weeks, with Big Chief Darryl Montana leading the students in singing Indian Red. Indian Red is a traditional song considered sacred by the Mardi Gras Indians. It is the most important song a new Indian will learn to sing and great emphasis is placed on getting it right.

The students first art project is to sew a bust of a Mardi Gras Indian. It is designed to teach students fundamental sewing stitches, how to sew using pearls, sequins, and beads, and how to construct a three-dimensional piece in the Downtown style. Chief Montana described for students the various parts that make up a Mardi Gras Indian suit (the hat/crown, apron, boots, neckpiece, sleeves) and showed them examples of sewn pieces.