The Program in Visual Arts presents a panel discussion featuring Big Chief Demond Melancon of the Young Seminole Hunters and Big Chief Darryl Montana of the Yellow Pocahontas Hunters. The discussion will focus on the tradition of creating the elaborate ceremonial suits and aprons on display in the exhibition Big Chief Wears a Golden Crown: Art of the New Orleans Black Masking Indians. The work in the exhibition, created by the two chiefs and other artists, are a traditional aspect of Mardi Gras celebrations. The panel, which is free and open to the public, is moderated by Princeton Associate Professor of History and African American Studies Joshua Guild and preceded by an artist reception at 4:30 p.m.

The exhibition is on view March 25 through April 7 in the CoLab at the Lewis Arts complex on the Princeton campus and is open free to the public daily from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. The panel and exhibition were organized by Professor of Visual Art Jeff Whetstone and cosponsored by the Princeton Environmental Institute.