The Joan of Arc Project will present its 8th annual conference, the Salon de Jeanne d’Arc, on Saturday September 23rd from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Woldenberg Art Center at Tulane University. (full schedule) The free lectures and presentations, made possible with generous support from the Medieval & Early Modern Studies Program at Tulane University and Newcomb Art Museum of Tulane University, will be held inside the Stone Auditorium in Woldenberg Art Center, with information tables and parade related exhibits in the adjacent Woodward Way Breezeway of the Newcomb Art Museum (map). Warning: Game Day, street closures and limited parking — find out more!
Produced by the makers of the annual Joan of Arc Parade, the one-day gathering will feature three Joan of Arc scholars offering talks on different aspects of Joan’s story: the charges of witchcraft made against her that led to her eventual condemnation; the virginity testing she had to undergo at least twice in her short life to prove she was indeed “The Maid”; and a pop culture perspective on Joan focused on the 2003-2005 television series Joan of Arcadia.
Throughout the conference, attendees can meet and greet krewe leaders and members, sign up to volunteer, become a krewe member, and view costumes, throws, and other items related to the 10 year-old walking parade that marches each Twelfth Night in the French Quarter on Joan of Arc’s birthday, January 6th.
Additional presentations include “What a Medieval Warrior Wears Head to Toe: Armor, Weapons, and All that Goes Beneath!” led by Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc Costume Director Antoinette de Alteriis with local armor maker Clay Lebrun, and “Ten Years in Ten Minutes”, an overview of the Joan of Arc Parade by Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc captain and Joan of Arc Project founder Amy Kirk Duvoisin.
The French American Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a morning meet and greet “Coffee, Tea, Oui!” preceding the conference, and Ecole Bilingue De La Nouvelle-Orléans students will offer a culmination to the day’s events with French theatrical and musical presentations.
The purpose of the Joan of Arc Project is to honor and celebrate Joan of Arc’s life in unique artistic and educational ways, including the production of the annual Joan of Arc Parade and Salon de Jeanne d’Arc. The Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc seeks to keep Joan’s story and spirit alive by hosting events, workshops, and presentations that illuminate Joan’s heroism and timelessness, while connecting her to the French heritage and pride of New Orleans. “The Maid of Orleans” inspires citizens of New Orleans and people around the world; we welcome people of all faiths and backgrounds to join in our joyous, New Orleans-style revelry.
FULL SCHEDULE EIGHTH ANNUAL SALON DE JEANNE D’ARC
Presented by the makers of the annual Joan of Arc Parade
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 23rd 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Lectures will be held in Freeman Auditorium in Woldenberg Art Center; Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc information tables and meeting and mingling will occur in the Woodward Way Breezeway in the Newcomb Art Museum
The Event is Free and Open to the Public
9:30 a.m. Welcome: Oui, Coffee & Tea!
Doors open a half hour before the first presentation so you can meet members of the Joan of Arc Project and other French organizations over croissants & beverages, sponsored by French American Chamber of Commerce.
10:00 a.m. Salon Begins
10:05-10:50 a.m. SCHOLAR TALK: Orléans, The Witch, & Her Wardrobe By Dale Shuger, Ph.D.
At her trial, Joan of Arc was accused, among other things, of being a cross-dresser, a heretic, and a witch. What was the relation between these three? What did it mean to be a “witch” in fifteenth-century France, and in Europe more generally? This presentation will provide an introduction to the concept of witchcraft as it was understood in the late medieval period in visual, literary, theological, and legal discourse.
11:00-12:15 p.m. KEYNOTE SPEECH: Saint and Starlet: Joan of Arc Invades Popular Culture
By Stephanie L. Coker, Ph.D.
Set in modern-day America, the series Joan of Arcadia is exceptional among “television medievalisms.” Addressing issues such as Jeanne’s sanity, her divine calling, and corrupt trial, Joan of Arcadia raises questions about the Maid’s reception both now and in her own day and ultimately proves that her story is timeless.
12:15-1:15 p.m. Lunch break & Krewe Meet & Greet: Attendees are on their own for lunch (suggest Tulane’s Lavin-Bernick Center food court, map). This is also an opportunity to meet and greet krewe leaders, who will remain in the auditorium during this hour to answer questions, accept new members, and explain all things Joan of Arc Project related! There will also be some special Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc items for sale, a preview of 2017 throws, and more.
1:20–2:30 p.m. What a Medieval Warrior Wears Head to Toe: Armor, Weapons, and All that Goes Beneath! A Group Presentation led by Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc Costume Director Antoinette de Alteriis, with local armor maker Clay Lebrun other local historical costume designers.
2:45-2:55 p.m. The Joan of Arc Parade Celebrates 10 Years in 10 Minutes! A Power Presentation Featuring Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the Parade’s Past, Present, and Future! A short and sweet presentation by Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc founder and captain, Amy Kirk Duvoisin.
3:00-3:45 p.m. SCHOLAR TALK: Like a Virgin: Understanding Joan’s Pucellage from the Perspective of Her Peers By Tara B. Smithson, Ph.D.
Joan of Arc’s virginity became a crucial dimension of her public persona. But how exactly did the people of Joan’s time define virginity? This presentation will examine medieval understandings of virginity, offer examples of the kinds of tests used to determine its presence or absence, and analyze the surprisingly varied ways that the witnesses at Joan’s posthumous rehabilitation trial discussed Joan’s presumed pucellage.
4:10-4:50 p.m. Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle Orleans student presentation and performance: The day ends with a presentation of a theatrical piece, music, and a French Trivia Contest by students from one of our local French immersion schools!
5:00 p.m. Salon de Jeanne d’Arc Salutes the 2018 Joan of Arc Parade!
PARKING: We just found out there is a Tulane football game during our Salon, which means there is no parking or car access to campus unless you have a Game Day parking pass. You can take public transportation and Freret Street remains open. You can also PURCHASE a Game Day parking permit (choose the “Tailgate Village” Lot F to get parking near the Newcomb Art Center (Google map, Tulane Game Day street closures and parking map)). https://tulane.clickandpark.com/
VOLUNTEER: Sign up here to volunteer at the Salon. Sign up here to volunteer with the parade.
For additional information contact Salon de Jeanne d’Arc Coordinator and Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc Captain, Amy A. Kirk Duvoisin at joanofarcparade@gmail.com or 504-251-5046.