‘A Tale of Two Cities’ Opens to Enthusiastic Crowds in New Orleans
On opening night, ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts featured hurricane-related art from New Orleans and Western North Carolina.
On a sunny Friday in September, crowds gathered outside the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts (NOAFA) for a long-awaited exhibition. Among the attendees were visitors who journeyed 650 miles southwest from Asheville, North Carolina, eager to see their artwork displayed alongside that of local artists in A Tale of Two Cities.
Opening on September 13, 2025, the exhibition was strategically timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the first anniversary of Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina. A Tale of Two Cities pays tribute to the shared experiences of residents from New Orleans, Asheville, and Western North Carolina as they collectively navigate the aftermath of climate-related disasters that have shaped their communities.
On opening night, attendees explored three thoughtfully curated rooms at the NOAFA gallery, where they encountered artwork reflecting the resilience and creativity of artists from Asheville, rural Western North Carolina, and New Orleans. Featured artists, including curators Jan Gilbert and Kenn Kotara, created pieces in direct response to the challenges posed by the hurricanes that have profoundly impacted each city's culture, economy, and overall sense of stability.
If you couldn't attend the exhibition, we invite you to explore its highlights through our photo story. You can also visit the virtual version of A Tale of Two Cities on ArtsvilleUSA here.
Louisiana Prayer Flags
Walking up to NOAFA, visitors first saw curator Jan Gilbert and Babette Beaullieu’s “Louisiana Prayer Flags,” a meditative installation initially created during the 2012 hurricane season. The work invites viewers to participate in a communal act of hope, merging traditions from Tibetan, Japanese, and Cajun cultures.
Inside ‘A Tale of Two Cities’
Visitors to the NOAFA gallery immerse themselves in one of three distinct spaces, each showcasing a unique segment of the exhibition.
‘Things That Float’ by Rontherin Ratliff
Constructed from building materials, dismantled furniture, and family photographs, Rontherin Ratliff’s “Things That Float” captures the artist’s sense of loss in the immediate aftermath of Katrina. “Houses had become prisoners to gravity, as they had filled up with water,” he says. “Inside, large heavy pieces of furniture floated about freely while seemingly weightless photographs lay buried below the surface.”
‘overtopping’ by Kenn Kotara
Asheville artist Kenn Kotara (r) engages an exhibition attendee while discussing his mixed-media piece, ‘overtopping.’ The work depicts a breached levee, with white water cascading across a gridded city and ultimately reaching a white obelisk on the horizon.
Community and Refreshments
Attendees savor refreshments in a festive atmosphere outside NOAFA, where Jan Gilbert and Babette Beaullieu’s “Louisiana Prayer Flags” flutter overhead.
Scott Power and Louise Glickman Reconnect
Louise Glickman (r), founder of ArtsvilleUSA, connects with longtime friend Scott “Sourdough” Power, the director of the arts media nonprofit Arterial, which owns ArtsvilleUSA.
‘A Tale of Two Cities’ Virtual Exhibition
Attendees of the live exhibition at NOAFA had the opportunity to explore the digital version of A Tale of Two Cities during the opening event, hosted by ArtsvilleUSA. You can view the virtual version of the exhibition here. Special thanks to exhibition partners Blue Ridge National Heritage Area and the RADA Foundation.
All images published with permission of Scott “Sourdough” Power.