NEW ORLEANS -
April 24, 2024 -
PRLog -- Will Horton's Sacred Grounds" is the latest in a series of successful ventures led by a true visionary known for his prestigious and history making work that uniquely meshes social commentary with urban realism. The upcoming event is of a caliber seldom seen in modern art. A new medium known as "digital graffiti" will be introduced during the opening weekend of one of the world's most unique and famous festivals. The endeavor is a partnership between New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) and Visual Storyteller Entertainment. NORD students from Mr. Horton's Visual Storytelling Workshops will assist in the build of the exhibit. The exhibit is free and open to the public. "Will Horton's Sacred Grounds" represents Horton's venture deep into the Visual Arts, one that will most certainly help to further solidify him as a uniquely talented creator. Hunter's Field is located at 1659 N. Claiborne Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116.
Will Horton is an award-winning visual artist who uses cinematography, videography, photography, and multi-media to instigate and animate discourse about Black beauty and cultural resilience, racial oppression, economic inequity, and environmental precarity in communities of color. Horton has an extensive background as a producer, director, cinematographer, videographer, and editor of a wide range of commercial, public service, and artistic productions, from music videos for leading New Orleans hip-hop artists to full-length independent feature films. The Wake-Up Call, a dramatic short from 1995 addressing senseless violence in New Orleans, was the recipient of four prestigious awards, including Best Film, Black Maria Film Festival, Berlin, Germany. Horton's 1997 documentary, The Million Man March, chronicled the journey of a group ofBlack New Orleans men who traveled to Washington, DC to participate in the historic MillionMan March organized by Rev. Louis Farrakhan and others. The film received first place honor sat that year's Cable Ace Awards. In 1997 also, Horton served as director-cinematographer-
editor for Testimony of A Big Chief, a short documentary providing an intimate, behind-the-scenes portrayal of a premiere trendsetting New Orleans Black Masking Indian, the late Allison "Tootie" Montana, as he prepared his fiftieth elaborate costume before the eyes of friends, media, and local dignitaries, while recounting his participation in and contributions to the evolution of this unique New Orleans African American tradition. The work premiered initially as part of an exhibition at the New Orleans Museum of Art focusing on Montana's oeuvre. It was thought to have been lost during Hurricane Katrina, but a copy resurfaced in 2023 and it was screened again at Loyola University New Orleans in December of that year. In 2001 Horton won the Telly Award for directing a regionally broadcast thirty-second public service announcement entitled Troubled Times, a project of Partners for Healthy Babies. In 2002, his music video Choppa Style was named a top prize winner at the Tin Can Film Festival. Some of his other works have aired nationally on ESPN and MTV networks. He has directed projects for a roster of other distinguished clients such as the Oprah Winfrey Show, Luzianne Tea, and the National Football League. In addition to directing a popular music video for Choppa, Horton has directed widely seen videos for other iconic artists such as Master P, Mystikal, Juvenile, C-Murder, and DJ Jubilee. Horton's current artistic practice includes projecting photographic and video murals, sometimes as part of larger installations, at various noteworthy locations throughout New Orleans. These pieces are intended to illuminate the cultural brilliance of the city's Black folk arts traditions as exemplified by Black Masking Indian performative rituals and social aid and pleasure club street parades. Born and reared in the Crescent City, Horton earned his M.F. A. in 2009 from the University of New Orleans School of Film, Theater and Communication Arts. His emphasis was on Directing & Screenwriting. In 1999 he also earned a B.A. from UNO in Directing, Editing, and Cinematography. His minor was Fine Art Photography with an emphasis on traditional black & white printing. Horton is a Visiting Professor of Digital Filmmaking at Loyola University New Orleans. His responsibilities include Digital Cinematography, Intro to Digital Cinema, Music Video Production Specializing in Digital Film Production, technical lectures, demonstrations, and supervision of HD (high definition) productions. He also monitors and assists students in professional high-end editing and sound suites. Additionally, he has authored the curriculum used in the Digital Cinematography Course. Horton has previously taught at Dillard University, the University of New Orleans, the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, the New Orleans Video Access Center, the Cox Communications Video Access Center, and other organizations and programs. He is active in the community as a youth mentor and public speaker.
For more information on Will Horton's Sacred Grounds Visual Art Exhibition or for interviews, speaking engagements and film work, please email
willhorton@willhorton.org or call 504-301-8322.
Follow @willhortonvisualartist on Instagram and Facebook.
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