18th annual New Orleans Antiques Forum explores faith, spirit and tradition

Written By Alicia Vial

Weekend long celebration of the intersection of the spiritual and material worlds

NEW ORLEANS – The Historic New Orleans Collection’s (HNOC) 2026 New Orleans Antiques Forum, themed Material Belief: Objects of Faith, Spirit, and Tradition, returns Aug. 7-9 for a weekend of discovery into the many items that give body and beauty to belief in New Orleans and across the Gulf South. Registration is now open.

Antiques Forum sessions will cover a range of sacred items, including Catholic statuary, Judaica, prayer samplers, Afro-Caribbean ritual objects and more. Attendees will learn how these objects were made, used and kept—and how they continue to function as powerful material expressions of belief throughout the American Gulf South.

“Since 2008, the Antiques Forum has become a treasured gathering for those who appreciate the stories held within antique treasures and the deeper understanding of our shared past,” says HNOC President and CEO Daniel Hammer. “This year, we offer a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of the spiritual and material worlds, a rich landscape of antiques shaped by belief, devotion and spiritual practice across cultures.”

Attendees will have the distinct pleasure of hearing from a distinguished lineup of experts and enthusiasts. Among them are George Schwartz, curator-at-large at the Peabody Essex Museum and an expert on the 19th and 20th-century Spiritualism movement; Alexia Williams, who will share her expertise on Roman Catholic statuary; Marcelitte Failla, who will discuss the rich material culture of altars, offerings, ritual tools and performance associated with African diasporic religions, including Voodoo, Hoodoo, Vodou, Ifá and Òrìṣà traditions; and Beth B. Schneider, consultant to the Judaica Initiative at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, who will discuss Jewish ritual objects and their use in homes and synagogues.

Forum sessions will be held at HNOC’s Williams Research Center located at 410 Chartres St. in the French Quarter. Attendees are encouraged to enhance their experience with optional off-site add-on activities including a Northshore excursion featuring visits to historic homes and sacred spaces that highlight the region’s cultural and spiritual traditions, a private luncheon with Forum speakers at the Hotel Monteleone and a celebratory brunch at Arnaud’s to conclude the 18th annual event.  

The 2026 New Orleans Antiques Forum is proudly presented by the Historic New Orleans Collection and generously sponsored by the Neal Auction Company, Country Roads Magazine, Hederman Brothers, Keil’s Antiques, Moss Antiques and Premium Parking.

To discover the full program of engaging presentations, unique experiences and the roster of esteemed speakers, visit www.hnoc.org/events/antiques-forum-2026.

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‍ About the Historic New Orleans Collection:
Home to the world's largest collection of materials related to the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South, the Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) is a nonprofit institution dedicated to preserving the region's distinctive heritage. Established in 1966 through the Kemper and Leila Williams Foundation, HNOC functions as a free museum, research center and publisher, spread across more than 14 historic buildings in the heart of the French Quarter. For more information, visit www.hnoc.org.                                            

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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