Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana State Museum officially open enhanced exhibit with ribbon cutting and public symposium
NEW ORLEANS – Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana State Museum today are proud to announce the official opening of the reimagined and technologically enhanced exhibit, Living with Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond, with a ribbon cutting and public symposium. Marking the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the exhibit now features immersive visuals, enhanced recovery storytelling, and new artifacts deepening the narrative of survival, adaptation, and the enduring spirit of the Gulf Coast. The exhibit was unveiled today at the Presbytère in New Orleans inviting visitors to experience this moving tribute, which shifts the focus from tragedy to transformation and shines a light on the courage, compassion, and vision that rebuilt Louisiana.
"Louisiana’s story is one of perseverance, rebirth, and determination,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “This enhanced exhibit is more than a look back at the tragedy of Katrina—it’s a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come and how we’re building stronger, safer, and smarter for the future. I invite everyone to come experience it and leave inspired by the strength of our people.”
The enhanced exhibit captures the stories of renewal while honoring the more than 1,800 lives lost. It challenges visitors to consider not only the devastation, but also the resilience, innovation, and determination that have defined Louisiana’s path forward.
Originally opened in 2010, this landmark exhibit has been thoughtfully reinterpreted to reflect the past two decades of transformation. Through newly integrated augmented reality (AR), large-scale projection mapping, and photographic storytelling, visitors can engage with the stories of real people – from first responders and city leaders to everyday residents – who shaped the city’s path from devastation to recovery.
A state-of-the-art panoramic visual experience anchors the exhibit, recreating the force of Katrina using historical footage, environmental data, and sound design. New digital timelines, satellite imagery overlays, and flood modeling show how communities rebuilt stronger, smarter, and more equitably – addressing long-standing social and environmental challenges.
Additionally, the Louisiana State Museum unveiled the original “Gray Ghost” mural by the renowned British street artist Banksy as part of a larger update to the museum’s acclaimed exhibition, “Living with Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond.” The “Gray Ghost” once appeared on Jackson Avenue in New Orleans in 2008. Starting today, this work is on public view inside the Presbytère for the first time. The presentation of the “Gray Ghost” will also be part of an exclusive exhibit coming this summer to the Presbytère titled “Banksy Inside” to connect Banksy’s social commentary with the city’s own history of resilience and renewal.
“Just as Banksy’s arrival in New Orleans in 2008 brought renewed attention to the city’s continuing Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts, the inclusion of this important Banksy work will bring increased awareness of our refreshed exhibition documenting our resilient, reinvigorated, and more protected city. The act of eradication, which it depicts, was not completed. The mural, carefully conserved and generously lent to the Louisiana State Museum, endures as does the city and the people of New Orleans,” said Lt. Governor Nungesser.
To help commemorate the milestone anniversary, a special panel discussion—20 Years Beyond Katrina: Memory, Leadership, and Resilience—took place at Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré following the opening of the exhibit. Panelists included Lt. Governor Nungesser, author Walter Isaacson, former Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard, former Louisiana Recovery Authority member Walt Leger Jr., former Lafitte Mayor Tim Kerner Jr., and Norman Robinson as moderator. This dynamic conversation brought together journalists, first responders, government leaders, and community voices for a discussion on what we've learned, how far we’ve come, and the future of hurricane preparedness in Louisiana. After the panel, visitors were invited to explore the newly refreshed exhibit, featuring upgraded immersive media, expanded stories of recovery, and hands-on science and education spaces.
Click here for additional images of the Louisiana State Museum’s Living with Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond exhibit. Image credit for these photos is Louisiana State Museum.