{"id":16561,"date":"2025-05-12T13:08:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-12T17:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/?p=16561"},"modified":"2025-05-12T13:18:45","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T17:18:45","slug":"sacred-mother-space-gallery-walk-at-kolaj-fest-new-orleans-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/kolaj-fest-new-orleans\/sacred-mother-space-gallery-walk-at-kolaj-fest-new-orleans-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Sacred Mother Space Gallery Walk at Kolaj Fest New Orleans 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Float by LaVonna Varnado-Brown
12″x8″; digital media; 2024. Courtesy of the artist.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

MUSEUM TOUR AT KOLAJ FEST NEW ORLEANS 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sacred Mother Space Gallery Walk<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

EVENT WEBSITE<\/a> | REGISTER<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kolaj Fest New Orleans is a multi-day festival and symposium about contemporary collage and its role in art, culture, and society, 25-29 June 2025. Visit the website<\/a> to learn more, see an overview of the program, and register to attend.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Kolaj Fest New Orleans, LaVonna Varnado-Brown will lead a gallery walk of the museum that “honors the Divine Mothers through visual spellcasting.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Varnado-Brown creates art that is “AfroFuturistic in aesthetic with odes to history, the Divine Feminine, and floral daydreams abounding.” In addition to creating multimedia works, she curates intentional workshops and experiences with a focus on healing and raising spatial awareness. Through her work she hopes to uplift the narrative of rest, joy, resistance, and abundance. “Sacred Mother Space Gallery Walk” is an opportunity to experience the museum in a different way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Magic in its earliest form was often referred to as ‘the arts’,” said Varnado-Brown. “Art is like magic, the science of manipulating symbols, words, or images texture to achieve changes in consciousness. It is my intention to inspire a literal chemical change in your psyche and physiological self through experiencing my work. Love is the medium.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tour will include some works in the “New African Masquerades” exhibition as well as works in the “Afropolitan: Contemporary African Arts at NOMA” exhibition, Maman Brigette<\/em> by John Lister, and Mami Wata figures in the African art collection, and others. Varnado-Brown is a 2024-2025 Creative Assembly artist-in-residence. “NOMA\u2019s Creative Assembly residency promotes community engagement by welcoming artists to collaborate throughout the year with the museum\u2019s permanent collection, special exhibitions, and programs.” During the Sacred Mother Space Gallery Walk, Varnado-Brown will share her experience as a resident artist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“To take seriously each other\u2019s vulnerability, fragility, and precarity with clear socio-emotional boundaries according to each one\u2019s needs. To see one another with big, world absorbing eyes. To both honor and allow space for each one to show up as they are. To enact community with an intersectional lens and practice interdependency to empower each one to another. That is AfroFuturist kinship. That can open the path to enter the sacred mother space.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This event is part of Kolaj Fest at New Orleans Museum of Art, a day of activities that will take place on Thursday, 26 June 2025.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kolaj Fest New Orleans is a multi-day festival and symposium about contemporary collage and its role in art, culture, and society, 25-29 June 2025. Visit the website<\/a> to learn more, see an overview of the program, and register to attend.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ABOUT THE PRESENTER<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LaVonna Varnado-Brown<\/strong> holds a BA from Southeastern University Louisiana with a focus on Theatre and Liberal Arts, with studies in London and Paris. She has worked as an installation artist, artist advocate, teaching artist, and tutor in and around New Orleans. At Kolaj Fest New Orleans 2023, LaVonna presented her collage workshop, \u201cUses of the Erotic\u201d, and was a panelist for the symposium, \u201cThe Mystical, the Esoteric, & the Magical\u201d. At Kolaj Fest New Orleans 2024, she presented the collage workshop, “Take Me to the Water: A Baptism in Collage”; co-led “Collage & Kiki: New Orleans Edition”; and co-led a tour of “Wangechi Mutu: Intertwined” at the New Orleans Museum of Art. For 2022-2023, she was Artist in Residence at Longue Vue House & Gardens in New Orleans and for 2024-2025, she is Creative Assembly artist-in-residence at the New Orleans Museum of Art. The artist lives and works in New Orleans.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

MUSEUM TOUR AT KOLAJ FEST NEW ORLEANS 2025 Sacred Mother Space Gallery Walk EVENT WEBSITE | REGISTER Kolaj Fest New Orleans is a multi-day festival and symposium about contemporary collage and its role in art, culture, and society, 25-29 June…<\/p>\n

Read more →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":16562,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"gallery","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[54],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/VarnadoBrown_LaVonna_title3.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2QTD7-4j7","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":15265,"url":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/kolaj-fest-new-orleans\/encaustic-collage-at-kolaj-fest-new-orleans-2025\/","url_meta":{"origin":16561,"position":0},"title":"Encaustic Collage at Kolaj Fest New Orleans 2025","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"12 May 2025","format":"gallery","excerpt":"encaustic collage by Beth Guipe Hall WORKSHOP AT KOLAJ FEST NEW ORLEANS 2025 Encaustic Collage EVENT WEBSITE | REGISTER Kolaj Fest New Orleans is a multi-day festival and symposium about contemporary collage and its role in art, culture, and society, 25-29 June 2025. Visit the website to learn more, see\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Kolaj Fest New Orleans"","block_context":{"text":"Kolaj Fest New Orleans","link":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/kolaj-fest-new-orleans\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/Beth-Guipe-Hall-encaustic-collage.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/Beth-Guipe-Hall-encaustic-collage.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/Beth-Guipe-Hall-encaustic-collage.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/Beth-Guipe-Hall-encaustic-collage.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7226,"url":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/kolaj-fest-new-orleans\/whats-happening-at-kolaj-fest-new-orleans\/","url_meta":{"origin":16561,"position":1},"title":"What’s Happening at Kolaj Fest","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"2 July 2018","format":"gallery","excerpt":"AT KOLAJ FEST NEW ORLEANS Kolaj Fest New Orleans is a multi-day festival and symposium about contemporary collage and its role in art, culture, and society, July 12-15, 2018. Visit the website to learn more, see an overview of the program, and register to attend. SEE THE SCHEDULE In addition\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Kolaj Fest New Orleans"","block_context":{"text":"Kolaj Fest New Orleans","link":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/kolaj-fest-new-orleans\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/at-the-kolaj-fest.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/at-the-kolaj-fest.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/at-the-kolaj-fest.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/at-the-kolaj-fest.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13635,"url":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/kolaj-fest-new-orleans\/uses-of-the-erotic-workshop-at-kolaj-fest-new-orleans\/","url_meta":{"origin":16561,"position":2},"title":"Uses of the Erotic Workshop at Kolaj Fest New Orleans","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"25 March 2023","format":"gallery","excerpt":"Tubman by LaVonna Varnado Brown11\"x8.5\"; digital; 2022. Courtesy of the artist. COLLAGE WORKSHOP AT KOLAJ FEST NEW ORLEANS 2023 Uses of the Erotic with LaVonna Varnado Brown LEARN MORE\u00a0|\u00a0REGISTER FOR KOLAJ FEST NEW ORLEANS Kolaj Fest New Orleans is a multi-day festival and symposium about contemporary collage and its role\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Kolaj Fest New Orleans"","block_context":{"text":"Kolaj Fest New Orleans","link":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/kolaj-fest-new-orleans\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/lavonna-varnado-brown-tubman.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/lavonna-varnado-brown-tubman.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/lavonna-varnado-brown-tubman.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/lavonna-varnado-brown-tubman.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16103,"url":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/calls-for-artists\/kolaj-fest-new-orleans-2025-call-for-papers-artists-projects\/","url_meta":{"origin":16561,"position":3},"title":"Kolaj Fest New Orleans 2025: Call for Artists, Projects, & Papers","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"16 January 2025","format":"gallery","excerpt":"KOLAJ FEST NEW ORLEANS Call for Artists, Projects, & Papers Early Deadline: Sunday, 23 February 2025Final Deadline: Sunday, 16 March 2025 How do you want to manifest at Kolaj Fest New Orleans 2025? Kolaj Fest New Orleans is a multi-day festival and symposium, 25-29 June 2025. Our mission is to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Calls for Artists"","block_context":{"text":"Calls for Artists","link":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/content\/calls-for-artists\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/KFNOLA-2025-CALL-TO-ARTISTS-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/KFNOLA-2025-CALL-TO-ARTISTS-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/KFNOLA-2025-CALL-TO-ARTISTS-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/KFNOLA-2025-CALL-TO-ARTISTS-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8191,"url":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/kolaj-fest-new-orleans\/street-krewe-at-kolaj-fest-new-orleans\/","url_meta":{"origin":16561,"position":4},"title":"Street Krewe at Kolaj Fest New Orleans","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"26 May 2019","format":"gallery","excerpt":"AT KOLAJ FEST Guerilla Art Group Gets Organized at Kolaj Fest New Orleans From its building-sized murals to pavement stencils, New Orleans has an inspiring street art scene. \"Last year while walking and biking around the streets of New Orleans during Kolaj Fest, I came across some fantastic collage-based street\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Kolaj Fest New Orleans"","block_context":{"text":"Kolaj Fest New Orleans","link":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/kolaj-fest-new-orleans\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/rosieschinners-Brujainstallationexample.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/rosieschinners-Brujainstallationexample.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/rosieschinners-Brujainstallationexample.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/rosieschinners-Brujainstallationexample.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8269,"url":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/kolaj-fest-new-orleans\/mystic-krewe-of-scissors-glue-steps-it-up-at-kolaj-fest-new-orleans\/","url_meta":{"origin":16561,"position":5},"title":"Mystic Krewe of Scissors & Glue Steps It Up at Kolaj Fest New Orleans","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"2 June 2019","format":"gallery","excerpt":"AT KOLAJ FEST NEW ORLEANS New Orleans Collage Group Leads a Number of Initiatives Meet-ups are part of the tapestry of the collage community. The formula is pretty simple: a group of artists get together on a regular basis and cut and glue and chat for an evening. Sometimes these\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Kolaj Fest New Orleans"","block_context":{"text":"Kolaj Fest New Orleans","link":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/kolaj-fest-new-orleans\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/all-the-homes.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/all-the-homes.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/all-the-homes.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/all-the-homes.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16561"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16561"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16561\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16563,"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16561\/revisions\/16563"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16562"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16561"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16561"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16561"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}