The Moving Exonerated Opening Reception
The opening reception of Exonerated: Portraits of the Wrongfully Convicted on March 23, 2025 was a moving and unforgettable event at the Cary Saurage Community Arts Center. Guests had the chance to view 23 photorealistic ceramic busts by artist Becky Gottsegen, each telling the story of individuals wrongfully incarcerated in Louisiana. The powerful sculptures captured not only the artist's skill but also the resilience of the exonerees.
Many of the exonerees attended, offering attendees the rare opportunity to hear their personal stories of injustice and redemption. The evening fostered deep conversations and highlighted the urgent need for criminal justice reform. The Innocence Project New Orleans (IPNO) played a crucial role working tirelessly to help free these men from wrongful convictions. IPNO’s Executive Director, Jee Park, spoke at the reception, sharing their invaluable work in advocating for justice and securing the release of the wrongfully convicted.
The reception was made possible through the generous support of Tricia Day & Joe Simmons, Mary Ann Sternberg, and Winifred & Kevin Reilly. If you missed the event, Exonerated will be on display until May 14, 2025—an exhibition that inspires conversation about justice, redemption, and the human cost of wrongful convictions.
