Debuting December 1, “Second Line in the Sky” Will Illuminate Bourbon Street’s 100–300 Blocks Blending Holiday Spirit with Remembrance of the January 1 Tragedy

(NEW ORLEANS) – November 18, 2025 – A new temporary memorial and lighting installation, Second Line in the Sky, will be unveiled in New Orleans’ French Quarter on December 1, 2025, ahead of the one-year anniversary of the January 1 terrorist attack. Conceptualized by Katy Casbarian of Arnaud’s Restaurant and produced by husband-and-wife team Jennie West and Jason Richards of Studio West, the installation transforms Bourbon Street into a seasonal space of reflection, remembrance, and renewal. Artists Babette Beaullieu, Margaret Crosby, and Jan Gilbert, all with local ties to the city, were commissioned to create the prayer flags featured in the piece.

Spanning the 100–300 blocks of Bourbon Street, Second Line in the Sky features 822 prayer flags suspended across twenty-one buildings, forming a glowing canopy that invites visitors to pause, look upward, and reflect. Designed to coincide with New Orleans’ holiday festivities, and to complement beloved celebrations including Holidays New Orleans Style and NOLA ChristmasFest, the illuminated elements use the magic of seasonal lights as a welcoming lure that draws people in to experience the temporary memorial.

“Second Line in the Sky represents what our city does best, turning shared pain into collective strength,” said Katy Casbarian, who conceptualized the project and led fundraising and community engagement efforts.

The temporary installation celebrates Bourbon Street’s spirit through illuminated trumpets, umbrellas, mesh “music” lighting, and handkerchief motifs, symbols of New Orleans’ creativity and resilience. Inspired by the New Orleans Second Line tradition, it reimagines this ritual as a canopy of light and color. 

“It’s been an honor for Studio West to lead the project management and support the creative vision of this project alongside the tremendous team of community leaders and artists, helping create a special monument for our city,” said Jennie West, Studio West co-founder.

Each unique flag, sewn with photographs by local photographers, Judy Cooper and Jamell Tate, survivor messages, and family notes, carries the names of those remembered. Rendered in warm tones of red, pink, and orange, the flags embody New Orleans’ joyful, life-affirming spirit, transforming loss into a collective gesture of hope and linking remembrance with celebration.

“This project transforms grief into light, a space where we can honor loss while celebrating the life and spirit of New Orleans,” said Babette Beaullieu, artist and co-creator.

A public lighting ceremony will be held on December 1, 2025, at 5 p.m. at the intersection of Bourbon and Bienville Streets. The installation will remain on view through January 18, 2026. 

Second Line in the Sky is fully funded through private and nonprofit contributions. The installation will be viewable during day and night. For more information on the installation and artists, visit www.SecondLineInTheSky.com. Sketches of the installation and photos of the flags are available here for viewing and for use in coverage. This gallery will be supplemented as actual photos of the installation become available.

About the Collaborators

Katy Casbarian, Project Visionary and Lead Collaborator
A native New Orleanian, Katy Casbarian leads the legendary Arnaud’s Restaurant with her mother Jane and brother Archie. Family-owned since 1918, the iconic Creole institution remains a French Quarter cornerstone, celebrating New Orleans’ spirit of hospitality and community while preserving its century-old legacy. Inspired by the city’s enduring spirit, she conceived Second Line in the Sky and brought together the creative team to realize the temporary memorial.

Studio West, Creative Direction and Project Lead
A woman-owned practice led by Jennie West and Jason Richards, Studio West is a New Orleans based team of architects, designers, and planners whose work spans hospitality, historic preservation, and civic-led design. Recognized for fostering collaboration and championing local artists, Studio West led the creative direction and technical coordination alongside each artist to realize the shared vision behind Second Line in the Sky. Recent projects include Karnofsky Tailor Shop, Saint-Germain, Poydras Hospitality, and Algiers 
Terminal. studiowest.design / @studio.west.design

List of Sponsors

Grand Marshal
  • Allstar Electric
  • New Orleans & Company
  • New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
  • French Quarter Management District
First Line
  • Casbarian Family
  • Gayle Benson and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation
  • John Paul and Erin Hymel
  • LCMC Health
  • Love One Louisiana Foundation
  • Ochsner Health
  • Studio West
Second Line
  • Auto-Chlor
  • Boysie Bollinger
  • Downtown Development District
  • First Horizon Bank
  • Louisiana Restaurant Association
Brass Band
  • Galatoire Foundation
  • Gallagher Insurance
  • Hancock Whitney Bank
  • Motwani Family
  • Deutsch Kerrigan
  • Chris Young 
Second Line Dancers
  • CCI Productions
  • Curtis Stout
  • Dickie Brennan & Company
  • Jeff Jenkins
  • Marais Consultants
  • Monteleone Hotel
  • Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group
  • Royal Sonesta Hotel
  • Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits