Creatives, this is your sign!

Side by Side Saturday: SBS Meeting + Workshop

Join us for an inspiring and hands-on Side by Side Saturday at Ashé Cultural Arts Center! Whether you're a returning member or new to the creative community, this session is designed to energize, connect, and equip you with practical skills.

Ready, Set, Install!
This interactive workshop, led by Kennedy Sarrazin, will guide participants through the fundamentals of installation preparation and creative presentation. Learn tips, techniques, and best practices to confidently bring your artistic vision to life.

Connect with fellow creatives, gain practical tools, and leave with clear next steps to build financial stability and success. Become a Side by Side Member at Ashé and stand with a community that’s building, dreaming, and creating together.

11AM–1PM | April 25, 2026

$30 entry | Free for Side By Side Members

A Radical Care of Imagination featuring A.J. Haynes - a Birthrite Exhibition

Step into a powerful celebration of creativity, care, and cultural storytelling at the 2026 Birthrite Exhibition. Hosted by the Ashé Cultural Arts Center, this dynamic showcase invites visitors to explore the intersections of imagination, identity, and radical care through compelling visual and experiential works.

At the heart of the exhibition is The Mothership by A.J. Haynes, a thought-provoking piece that reimagines nurturing, futurity, and collective healing through a bold artistic lens. Paired with the exhibition’s broader theme, A Radical Care of Imagination, the experience challenges audiences to reflect on how creativity can serve as a tool for transformation and empowerment.

Featured Artists: A.J. Haynes, Abijah Wood-Dawson, Alicia Johnson-Black, Alphonse Waples, Angela Franklin, Antoine Prince, Bailey Hutchison, Carlos Talbott, Catherine Broussard, Charlie Vaughn, Cherice Harrison-Nelson, Christine Domingue Bagneris, Courtlyn Sholar, Danielle Keys, Darlene Bigus-Doheny, Dionne Ray, Dominique Nantambu, Dyvonne Burton, Elizabeth Arias, Ellen Cruz-Hampton, Emre Karaglue, Estelle Lewis, Gabrielle Tolliver, Georgia Gresham, Jamie Chiarello, Jasimen Phillips, Kamahl Grant, Kara Rayes, Kennedy Sarrazin, Makayla Howard, Malaika Burke, Maya Pen, Melody Daniels, Michon Siraj, N'iya'Oni, Nana Kumi, Pam Goncalves, Saragine Valris, Sean Clark, Shaina Simmons, Sharika Mahdi, Shannon Foley, Timya James, Tracey Elizabeth Taylor, Valentin Valris

As a lead-in to Ashé’s 2026 Birthrite exhibition A Radical Imagination of Care, the Friday Night Open Mic in collaboration with Artists At Work excitedly presents Mama Said, an evening of poetry and performance art that centers mothering in its various forms.

Mama Said is in celebration of National Poetry Month, and the kickoff to Black Maternal Health Week. Our featured poet, Sha’Condria “Icon” Sibley, is an internationally renown spoken word poet whose work has been featured on TV One's Verses and Flow, Huffington Post, For Harriet, Teen Vogue, and BBC World Radio, and has graced the main stages of the Essence Music Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and French Quarter Festival.

In addition to Icon’s feature, the mic will be open for performances and expressions that uplift all ways of mothering: from birthing to chosen familyhood, from loss to liberation.

Hosted by Artists At Work members, A.J. Haynes and Donney Rose.

Let us come together side by side to mix, mingle, and connect with creatives from across the community as we set the tone for an exciting year ahead. This gathering is all about building relationships, sharing ideas, and developing strategies as we prepare for future events, exhibitions, workshops, and more.

Green with Indie: Let There Be!

Get ready for an unforgettable night of spoken word and music, all happening in person! Whether you’re into heartfelt poetry or groovy tunes, this event’s got you covered. Come hang out, vibe with creative souls, and let the words and melodies inspire you. Don’t miss out on Green with Indie – where art meets passion. Dive into an evening where raw poetry meets indie vibes for a night full of soul and sound!

Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 7:00pm - 9:30pm

Ashé Powerhouse Theater | 1731 Baronne Street, New Orleans, LA 70113

General Admission: $25 |V.I.P. Reserved Seating: $50

Rooted in Culture… Growing Healthy Families

Healthy Start New Orleans invites you to our Community Baby Shower, a joyful celebration honoring families welcoming new life!

Join us on March 21, 2026, from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM at the Ashé Cultural Arts Center for an afternoon filled with love, support, and community connection. This special event is designed to uplift and empower expecting parents and families with valuable resources and a warm village of support.

What to Expect:

• Giveaways & Door Prizes

• Local Vendors & Family Resources

• Blood Pressure Screenings

• Live Music

• Baby Bounce Fun

• Light Refreshments

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Join us for the closing reception of the 30th Anniversary National Conference of Artists Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Art Exhibition.

This year's theme, "Love in action: African Roots-American Fruits," focuses on the deep connections between African heritage and American culture, showcasing their enduring impact. This event will feature a blend of art exhibitions and insightful discussions designed to engage and inspire. The exhibition is on view at Ashé Cultural Arts Center (1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd) and the Ashé Power House Theatre (1731 Baronne St).

Featured Artists: Roderick Anderson, Darlene Biggs-Dohehy, Jess Coleman, David Cotton, Justice Dalce, Melody Daniels, Montrell Dent, Clifton Faust, DiQuan Forcell, Ravyn Ford, Barianne Franks, Merry Nell Fullmer, Richard Gerber, Rickey Henry, Theresa Herrera, Vandorn Hinnant, Barbara Hodges, Leroy Hodges, Charlie T. Johnson, Louise Mouton Johnson, Pat Jolly, Kevin Jones, Richard V. Keller Sr., Noah Kinigstein, Lauryn Landers, Britani Landry, Lauren Landry, Dyan Law, Cy’Nya Lewis, Kathleen McKinney-Franks, Angela McMillan, Don Nicholas, Juanita Nolosco, Angel Omoike, Valentine Pierce, Alma Powell, Antoine Prince, Nettie Roché, Marcus Rosser, Andrew Sheldon, Charles Simms, Karel Sloane-Boekbinder, Trinity Smith, Carlos Talbot, Clarence Talley, Cecelia Taplette-Pedescleaux, José Torres-Tama, Brandon Tate, Michel Varisco, Maria B. Victoire, Eric Waters, Ivan Watkins, Kyle Wilson

The MLK Commemorative Art Exhibition (MLK Exhibit) celebrates the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Civil Rights Movement, and those working to further peace and human understanding. Through the arts and related educational and cultural activities, it gives recognition to people around the world who work tirelessly to fight for peace, justice, and responsible environmental cohabitation. The exhibition is a partnership between the National Conference of Artists, Ashé Cultural Arts Center, New Orleans Martin Luther King Jr. Exhibition Council, and the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Foundation.

Kinfolk Conversations is an intergenerational dialogue series in historically underserved Black and Brown communities of Greater New Orleans. Coordinated with the Ashé Cultural Arts Center, it aims to highlight health disparities, showcase youth art, and integrate elder wisdom.

Ashé Cultural Arts Center, in collaboration with Ujamaa Economic Development Corporation and Tambourine and Fan, proudly presents AfriCarnaval: Under the Bridge, a historic celebration of culture and community set to take place on Mardi Gras Day, February 17, 2026.

Located at the iconic Claiborne and Orleans Avenue intersection, AfriCarnaval: Under the Bridge will run from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and will offer a showcase of black carnival traditions and talent!

For more information contact: ericag@ashenola.org

Join us for a powerful day of reflection, connection, and restoration as we come together to heal racial divide through wellness, truth, and community care. This gathering invites participants to engage in meaningful dialogue, embodied healing practices, and artistic expression rooted in justice and liberation.

Featured Workshops

• Truth Be Told: Storytelling in Advocacy
  Hosted by Community Health Worker Monica Millon
  Explore how personal and collective storytelling can be a tool for healing, resistance, and social change.

• Know Your Rights Training
  Facilitated by A.J. Haynes
  An empowering session focused on awareness, protection, and community accountability.

Performance

• By CHW Naydja CoJoe

Wellness Activation

• Led by Bodi Buzz Health & Wellness

Lunch will be provided

This day is about coming together—across differences—to honor our shared humanity, strengthen our communities, and move forward in healing.

Free and open to the community.