Join Piedmont Arts on Thursday, Feb. 15 to learn about the arts in style. This Art Talk in the galleries features speaker Suellen DaCosta Coehlo, a Brazilian fashion and costume designer. There will be a reception at 6:30 p.m. and the lecture will begin at 7 p.m. This event is free with a suggested donation of $20.
Coehlo will discuss her history, fashion, culture, and her experience in the jazz and parade scene in New Orleans.
She holds a degree in clothing production from her home country of Brazil, with an emphasis on fashion and costume design. Coelho was costume designer in various Brazilian music and audiovisual performances and recently graduated with her M.F.A. in costume design at Louisiana State University where she was also the costume shop teaching assistant. Her graduate research was on second line parades in New Orleans.
Second line parades are cultural descendants of jazz funerals, and have been described as a block party in motion featuring jubilant dancing and brass bands. By conducting interviews and participating in these with the Undefeated Divas, Gents, and Kids, Coehlo explored the way that identity and cultures are defined by style and the way people dress. Coehlo was named the Undefeated Diva Queen for 2022 and participated in a year’s worth of parade events with this title.
Reservations can be made by calling Piedmont Arts at 276-632-3221.
