Public Art in New Orleans

Artist and organizer, BMike, completed this mural in 2016 to uplift the Bywater neighborhood. Painted across the Studio BE warehouse, you’ll find an African American girl radiating light. She resembles a religious image, and is accompanied by a poem by Cleo Wade. 

This portrait of the late Allen Toussaint is located at 1441 North Claiborne Avenue in Treme. It depicts him with a glowing rim around his head, as if he was an angel. The artwork by Brendon Art was sponsored by the NOLA Mural Project.

A giant mural created by artists Jamar Pierre, Terrance Osborne, Lidya Araya, Lionel Miltone, and Shakor and Ivan Watkins adorns the outside of this Oretha Castle Haley cultural center. Local icons such as Louis Armstrong and Mahalia Jackson are accompanied by Mardi Gras Indians, gospel singers, a second line and more.

The passing of music legend Dr. John was a hard news for the world to bear. Head to 3223 Dryades Street, off the beaten path Uptown, to see him depicted full of the colors that embodied him so.

In June 2019, five large-scale murals were unveiled in Downtown New Orleans. The works were spearheaded by the Arts Council of New Orleans, and were the result of a competition from local and international artists. The artists selected were Etam Cru, Brandan “BMike” Odums, Team A/C, MOMO and Carl Joe Williams. Blank facades were transformed into works of art.

Muralist Courtney “CeAux” Buckley painted New Orleans born superstar, Lil Wayne, in Hollygrove at 8401 Olive Street. The painting gained extra traction when rapper, Drake, featured the mural in his music video for the song “In My Feelings.” You can see CeAux’s work around the city such as on St. Claude near Elysian Fields where he painted a 1990s New Orleans woman, who he named Teddie.

On a busy block of N. Rampart and Elysian Fields, a breath-taking mural makes people stop in their tracks. Two women, Nikki Breeze and Bee Whyne, are locking eyes in a moment of connection. The mural was inspired from a moment post-Katrina, when Nikki and her mom supported Bee through a difficult time.

Featured above is a well-known portrait of a girl with an umbrella, widely understood to reference the levees breaking during the storm. It has since been removed for restoration. You can, however, still see a famous but controversial work in the lobby of The International House Hotel, which depicts the National Guardsman looting during Hurricane Katrina. 

You cannot miss the large mural painted on the Freret Street music club, Gasa Gasa (now closed). Berlin-based artist MTO painted the side of the building in 2013 as a commission from the owner, Micah Burns. The four males are screaming, one through a copy of the Fall. It symbolizes a call for help and yearning for youth. You can also see a work from AZ, a local graffiti artist resembling Banksy, on the other side of the building.

As part of the New Orleans Tricentennial in 2018, BMike was commissioned to paint a mural in the CBD. The artists depicted include Jazz legends Buddy Bolden, Freddie Keppard, and Jelly Roll Morton. The mural symbolizes the building it sits on, as site of Frank Douroux’s first tavern and a performance hall where the depicted jazz musicians played. Though the Little Gem Saloon has since closed, the mural remains.

Iconic New Orleans bounce star, Big Freedia, has made her mark on the Marigny. Outside the Art Garage, you can see Freedia spray painted with her famous phrase, “You Already Know.”

Throughout this Treme park, you will find sculptures honoring music greats and neighborhood legends. The sculptures were created by various artists, but include depictions of a brass band, Mardi Gras Indian Chief Tootie Montana, Buddy Bolden, Mahalia Jackson and, of course, Louis Armstong.

Sponsored by the Young Leadership Council of New Orleans, painted streetcars were created to raise money for a new Art Pavilion. Streetcar sculptures were created and painted to depict iconic New Orleans scenes. You can find them around town such as next to the Saenger Theater, Fulton Street, Lafayette Square, and Audubon Park.

Although it is part of the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Sculpture Garden is free to enter and open to the public. The garden doubled in size in 2019 and now includes over 90 sculptures. Check their official website for hours of operation.