Jan Gilbert Art

Restoration and Rehabilitation

August 28, 2025

“This is not just a symbolic gesture, it is a vital recognition that the voices of artists and the communities they represent are essential for meaningful restoration and rehabilitation. Art not only reflects on shared experiences but also empowers to envision new possibilities and take collective action.” Sally Painter

Please take a moment to read Patrick Duggan’s excellent and succinct summary of our participation at this significant Prague forum:

On the Cultural Frontlines: GLOBSEC 2025 which included reflections (ours!) on and from the arts for the very first time. He includes the online address to view the video recording of our panel (with thanks to Kevin for the image loop playing behind us!).

This adventure was followed by a long time coming reunion with our collaborators in life and many art & healing adventures, Monica & Jacques Arpin, occurring in Bordeaux – our first visit there, which did not disappoint. The trip finale was our “delight-full” return/respite with the krewe at the Maison Gai Saber Pressoir (See Instagram: le_pressoir_residence_artistes).

Coming right up:

Poetic Gaps: Opacity in the Photographic Imprint at Newcomb Art Museum which includes their newly acquired 11 Chart Chapter Diana and the Dead Bird. This recent and generous donation which NAM used to acquire this body of work is in memory of Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Barrios. There will be a reception September 19 and program(s) in October and more.

Tale of Two Cities

The New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts joins with Asheville-based ARTSvilleUSA, River Arts District Artists, and the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area to produce and showcase “A Tale of Two Cities,” an exhibition exploring the role of art in the wake of environmental disaster, on display at NOAFA, September 13 through November 8, 2025. Thank you ARTSvilleUSA for the great article.

Babette Beaullieu and I will have a shrine installation (a sneak peak below) with our Louisiana Prayer Flags out front on Magazine Street. If you are around, please swing by and participate in our ritual adding your wishes or prayers to the shrine and see the show or come to one or more of the lectures!

The virtual showcase of A Tale of Two Cities will be available on ArtsvilleUSA.com starting September 1, 2025, and can be viewed through the end of the calendar year.

K20: When the Water Met the Door is at the Contemporary Arts Center and opens Friday, August 29 and closes Halloween evening.

Kathy Randels of ArtSpot Productions and I are doing a video installation Mending Kit with a fine cast of other artists and their works in the CAC second floor galleries. It will be open for Art for Art’s Sake October 4th as will Tale of Two Cities. If you are in town, I hope to see you at one or more of these events! Otherwise, please check them out online!

Today I’m also closing with a quote from 9th Ward resident Yuri Herrera, in a NYTimes review of his new book “Season of the Swamp.”

As a character in his novel says, “Could there be any place more interesting than the one where all the chaff gets tossed?” No wonder Herrera has made New Orleans his home.

“It makes me think of the limits of domesticity and what the powers that be decide is the way you have to live,” Herrera said. “It’s difficult to go some other places, once you have lived here.”