New Orleans, LA - January 12, 2021: The Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans (CAC) announced Dreaming While Awake, a virtual and on-site celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during the weekend, January 16 - 18, 2021, that explores the legacy of Dr. King and the intersections of art and social justice.
The weekend’s programming will include complimentary admission for all to Make America What America Must Become, An Exhibition of Gulf South Artists; and SOLOS: Exhibitions and New Work Showcases by CAC Visual Artists-in-Residence Shana griffin, Ana Hernandez, and Sarah Hill. The CAC will display a community altar in its Atrium dedicated to Dr. King and those who have died in the pursuit of social justice, which will be accompanied by a specially-curated playlist by renowned New Orleans’ DJ Raj Smoove, which will also be available on Spotify. Gallery tickets must be reserved online in advance at cacno.org.
The celebration will continue on the CAC’s virtual platforms as well. On Sunday, January 17, members of the CAC Teen Board will take over the CAC’s Instagram and Facebook platforms to engage in intergenerational dialogue through interviews with CAC exhibition artists and by sharing their reflections on art and social activism. Finally, Dreaming While Awake will culminate in a live virtual panel discussion, “Art and Activism in a Democratic Future,” streamed to the CAC’s Facebook page. In its second year of celebrating the legacy of Dr. King, the CAC aims to explore the intersections of art and social justice while engaging young people to interrogate a collective vision for the nation’s future.
Dreaming While Awake Schedule of Activities
SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021
11 am - 5 pm at the CAC:
Complimentary Admission** to CAC Exhibitions: Make America What America Must Become, An Exhibition of Gulf South Artists and SOLOS: Exhibitions and New Work Showcases by CAC Visual Artists-in-Residence Shana M. griffin, Ana Hernandez, and Sarah Hill. In the CAC Atrium, guests are encouraged to visit the Dreaming While Awake altar dedicated to Dr. King and enjoy DJ Raj Smoove’s specially-curated social justice-inspired playlist.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2021
11 am - 5 pm at the CAC:
Complimentary Admission** to CAC Exhibitions: Make America What America Must Become, An Exhibition of Gulf South Artists and SOLOS: Exhibitions and New Work Showcases by CAC Visual Artists-in-Residence Shana M. griffin, Ana Hernandez, and Sarah Hill. In the CAC Atrium, guests are encouraged to visit the Dreaming While Awake altar dedicated to Dr. King and enjoy DJ Raj Smoove’s specially-curated social justice-inspired playlist.
11 am - 2 pm: CAC Teen Board Instagram Takeover
Members of the CAC Teen Board will take over the CAC’s Instagram story to share their impressions of the works and themes behind Make America What America Must Become, An Exhibition of Gulf South Artists. Follow the CAC on Instagram, here.
2 pm - 3 pm: Virtual Discussion: “And the Youth Shall Lead: Perspectives on Art & Leadership” on Facebook Live
On Facebook Live, CAC Teen Board members Renee Angerer, Justine Lelani Allen, and Monica Garcia will interview Make America What America Must Become artists Caroline Sinders, Derrick-Woods Morrow, and Langston Allston about how art influences democracy and informs their artistic practices. RSVP to the discussion on Facebook, here.
MONDAY, JANUARY 18, 2021
11 am - 5 pm at the CAC:
Complimentary Admission** to CAC Exhibitions: Make America What America Must Become, An Exhibition of Gulf South Artists and SOLOS: Exhibitions and New Work Showcases by CAC Visual Artists-in-Residence Shana M. griffin, Ana Hernandez, and Sarah Hill. In the CAC Atrium, guests are encouraged to visit the Dreaming While Awake altar dedicated to Dr. King and enjoy DJ Raj Smoove’s specially-curated social justice-inspired playlist.
2 pm - 3:30 pm: Virtual Panel Discussion: “Art and Activism in a Democratic Future” on Facebook Live
On Facebook Live, the CAC will host a live panel discussion addressing the role of art, artists, and arts institutions in driving social change. Moderated by Dr. David Robinson Morris, the panel will feature: poet, writer, filmmaker and educator Kalamu Ya Salaam; CAC exhibition artists André Fuqua, Shana M. griffin, and Ariel René Jackson; and CAC Executive Director George Scheer. RSVP to the discussion on Facebook, here.
**CAC Health and Safety Guidelines:
Advance online reservations for timed-ticketing is required at cacno.org. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CAC has continuously operated under Phase 1 guidelines outlined by the City of New Orleans. The CAC's max capacity is limited to 25% (15 people per 1.5 hour time slot) which is enforced by timed-ticketing through contactless, advance online reservations only. Mask-wearing is required, social distancing is enforced, and stringent sanitation procedures are in place. We encourage you to review the CAC's Health & Safety Guidelines prior to your visit.
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About the CAC
The CAC is a multidisciplinary arts center that is dedicated to the presentation, production, and promotion of the art of our time. The CAC is a cultural leader. As such, it organizes, presents, and tours curated exhibitions, performances and programs by local, regional, national, and international artists. It demonstrates proactive local and regional leadership by educating children and adults, cultivating and growing audiences, and initiating and encouraging collaboration among diverse artists, institutions, communities, and supporters. Museum admission is free on Sundays for Louisiana residents, courtesy of The Helis Foundation. Children & Students through Grade 12 and under receive free admission courtesy of The Helis Foundation. The CAC is located at 900 Camp Street, 504 528-3805. For more information about CAC and to sign up for updates, visit www.cacno.org.
About The Helis Foundation
The Helis Foundation is a Louisiana private foundation, established and funded by the William Helis Family with a mission of advancing access to the arts and continuing a family legacy of philanthropic support to the New Orleans community. The Helis Foundation makes grants to sustain operations, to provide free admission to, and to acquire significant art works on behalf of major institutions within the Metropolitan New Orleans area. The Art Funds also underwrite major initiatives and special projects, such as Prospect.3’s Basquiat and the Bayou presented by The Helis Foundation, the ongoing Poydras Corridor Sculpture Exhibition presented by The Helis Foundation, the installation of Lynda Benglis’ The Wave of the World in City Park, The Helis Foundation Enrique Alférez Sculpture Garden, Solidary & Solitary: The Joyner/Giuffrida Collection presented by The Helis Foundation organized by the Ogden Museum of Southern Art and the Baltimore Museum of Art, and The Historic New Orleans Collection’s Tricentennial Exhibition, Art of the City: Post Modern to Post Katrina. Visit thehelisfoundation.org to learn more.
MEDIA CONTACT
Laura B. Tennyson
Associate Director of External Affairs
Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans