The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) and the Congo Square Preservation Society will host a special installment of the Elders Sacred Talk Series on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, from 6 – 7:15 p.m. The event, free for Louisiana residents or with museum admission, will feature two iconic elder New Orleanians—Big Chief Joseph Pierre “Monk” Boudreaux and visual artist Willie Birch—sharing their remarkable life stories and legacies in NOMA’s Lapis Center for the Arts. Louisiana residents receive free admission to NOMA on Wednesdays courtesy of The Helis Foundation.
The Elders Sacred Talk Series celebrates the lives of New Orleans’ most prolific figures while offering audiences a chance to learn directly from those who have profoundly shaped the city’s cultural landscape.
Big Chief Joseph Pierre “Monk” Boudreaux, the oldest living Black Masking Indian, has been a towering figure in the Mardi Gras Indian tradition for over 70 years. Beginning his journey at the age of 12 with the White Eagles tribe, Boudreaux became Big Chief of the Golden Eagles in the 1970s and has held that title for over five decades. Boudreaux’s influence extends beyond the streets of New Orleans, as he played a pivotal role in bringing Black Masking Indian music to the world stage. He was part of the historic 1970 collaboration between the Golden Eagles and Wild Magnolias at the first New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, which led to the groundbreaking recording Handa Wanda. His album Bloodstains & Teardrops earned a GRAMMY nomination, and Boudreaux has since become a cultural hero and musical icon, honored with the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Award.
Willie Birch, a visual artist and activist, is celebrated for his paintings, drawings, and sculptures that capture everyday life in New Orleans, offering powerful commentaries on Black culture and the city’s vibrant communities. With a career spanning decades, Birch’s work has been showcased both nationally and internationally and is featured in major museums across the U.S. His honors include prestigious awards from the Guggenheim Foundation and the Pollock-Krasner Foundation. Birch’s ability to blend European art traditions with African art and New Orleans history has earned him a place as one of the city’s foremost cultural documentarians.
This conversation promises to offer unique insights into the intersections of art, music and cultural preservation in New Orleans. Both Boudreaux and Birch have played pivotal roles in shaping the city’s cultural heritage, and their stories are a testament to the lasting impact of New Orleans’ elders.
The Elders Sacred Talk Series is part of NOMA’s Art Thrives program, which offers creative aging initiatives for visitors aged 55 and older. Through workshops, courses, and art-making opportunities, Art Thrives celebrates the wisdom and experiences of older adults while providing platforms for them to share their knowledge with diverse audiences.
Event Details:
- Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2024
- Time: 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM
- Location: Lapis Center for the Arts, New Orleans Museum of Art
For more information, visit NOMA’s website.
