Salon de Jeanne d’Arc 2023

The Joan of Arc Project will present its 13th annual conference, the Salon de Jeanne d’Arc, on Saturday September 16th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Myra Clare Rogers Memorial Chapel at Tulane University (map).  (full schedule) The free lectures and presentations by local scholars, authors and artists are open to the public. Drop in for a particular session or stay all day! This year’s talks focus on the theme “Journeys with Joan: Spiritual, Historical and Cultural Journeys with Joan of Arc.” Topics cover Joan of Arc, her medieval French context, and the French heritage of New Orleans, presented by the Joan of Arc Project, producers of the annual Joan of Arc parade in partnership with the Medieval & Early Modern Studies Department at Tulane University.   It’s more fun in person, but the conference will also be livestreamed on YouTube: link (or search on your smart TV channel for “Salon de Jeanne d’Arc 2023: Journeys with Joan””

Throughout the conference, attendees can meet and greet krewe leaders and members or become a krewe member, and view costumes and other items related to the 16- year-old walking parade that marches each Twelfth Night in the French Quarter on Joan of Arc’s birthday, January 6th.  Members may also purchase throws and other krewe merchandise.

SUMMARY SCHEDULE THIRTEENTH ANNUAL SALON DE JEANNE D’ARC

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 16th, 10:00- 5:00

Lectures will be held in the Rogers Memorial Chapel, 1229 Broadway Street on the Tulane Campus (map).

The Event is Free and Open to the Public

  • 10:00 a.m. Salon Begins, Welcome Remarks
  • 10:00 a.m. “Pilgrimage in the Way of Joan,” by Stephen Binz, Biblical scholar and tour guide
  • 11:15 a.m.” Emmeline in Orléans: The Maid from New Orleans in Orleans, France,” by Emmeline Meyers (2023 “Maid of Honor” for New Orleans) and Gayle Dellinger of the New Orleans Rotary Club.
  • 12:15-1:30 Lunch Break outside under the oaks with giant dragon puppet demonstration (talks are free, but you’ll need to pre-order your lunch)
  • 1:30 p.m. “Joan 2031: The 9-Year Novena,” by Catholic author Jaymie Stuart Wolfe
  • 2:15 p.m. “Krewe news: Exciting new props from the Restoration Battalion” by Terri Wilkinson
  • 2:45-3:45 p.m. “French on Shifting Ground: Land, Language, and Place,” by Tulane University professor and author Nathalie Dajko
  • 4:00-5:00 p.m.  “Joan of Art: The Journey of Creating Joan,” a panel of artists selected for our juried art exhibition Joan of Art.
  • 5:00 p.m. Salon ends

DETAILED SCHEDULE WITH SPEAKER BIOS

Presented by the makers of the annual Joan of Arc Parade

  • 10:00 a.m. Salon Begins, Welcome Remarks
  • 10:00 a.m. “Pilgrimage in the Way of Joan,” by Stephen Binz, Biblical scholar and tour guide. Stephen Binz, a biblical scholar and pilgrimage leader, will describe his recent travels to the sites in France associated with Joan of Arc. His travelogue will include his photography and descriptions of the places associated with the calling, courage, sanctity, virtues, and martyrdom of the Maid of Orleans. As a writer and organizer of journeys to sacred places, Stephen will explore the ways that pilgrimage enhances the travelers’ encounter with Saint Joan as she continues to inspire communities today. See his work at Bridge-B.com.
  • 11:15 a.m. “Emmeline in Orléans: The Maid from New Orleans in Orleans, France,” by Emmeline Meyers (2023 “Maid of Honor” for New Orleans). Presentation and Q& A with Tulane student Emmeline Meyer, our 2023 Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc Maid of Honor who traveled to Orléans, France, this summer as part of an inaugural Joan of Arc exchange with Orléans, France, Rotary Club and New Orleans Rotary Foundation. Gayle Dellinger of the New Orleans Rotary Club will introduce the travel scholarship program.
  • 12:15-1:30 Lunch Break outside under the oaks with giant dragon puppet demonstration. Presenting “Adversaire,” Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc’s walking 12-foot tall parade dragon with a 16-foot wingspan!  Find out how he is made and see him get assembled and up on his feet.  Pre-order your Crêpes à la Cart lunch here, pick up a snack from the nearby Boot, or bring a sack lunch. You may want to bring a lawn chair, although there is some outdoor seating provided.
  • 1:30 p.m. “Joan 2031: The 9-Year Novena,” by Catholic author Jaymie Stuart Wolfe. Krewe board member Jaymie Wolfe will present information on the 9-year Novena to St. Joan of Arc that began at the end of 2022. The 600th anniversary of Joan’s death (1431) in 2031 inspired Catholic philosopher Thibaud Collins to call for an extended spiritual campaign for the renewal of faith in France. Each year focuses on one of St. Joan’s nine virtues. Learn how you can participate in this spiritual journey of contemplation and find out everything you ever wanted to know about this traditional prayer form from our resident Krewe Catholic expert!
  • 2:15 p.m. “Krewe news: Exciting new props from the Restoration Battalion” by Terri Wilkinson. The annual Joan of Arc parade tells the story of Joan’s life, and the “Restoration” section of the Joan of Arc parade portrays the re-trial 25 years after Joan’s death, where she was declared innocent. From medieval manuscripts to cathedrals and bells, we’ll get a sneak peek at how this battalion will take storytelling to new heights.
  • 2:45-3:45 p.m. “French on Shifting Ground: Land, Language, and Place,” by Tulane University professor and author Nathalie Dajko.  Professor Dajko will teach us about the history of the French language in Louisiana—from native peoples to Cajun and Caribbean immigrants—and how their journey of language and loss reflects the environmental erosion that is central to our state’s story. 
  • 4:00-5:00 p.m.  “Joan of Art: The Journey of Creating Joan.” Local artists who have work on display in our 2023 Joan of Art show, as well as past exhibitions, will converse about what it’s like to make art inspired by Joan of Arc, what they learned by creating their work about her, and how her image has evolved over the years to reflect the time and place of artists portraying her.
  • 5:00 p.m. Salon ends

About the poster: The Salon 2023 poster image is created from the painting, “Joan Faces the English” by local artist and mural specialist Max Bernardi. The painting was part of the 2022 Joan of Art juried exhibition.

The closest parking is street parking along Broadway. Ride-sharing is encouraged.

Volunteers needed!  Sign up here to help with the Sept. 16 Salon

The purpose of the Joan of Arc Project aka Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc 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. We seek 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. As 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.