ART of Citizenship

The “ART of Citizenship” mural project was created in response to a new PBS documentary on the Chinese Exclusion Act, which chronicled the history of Chinese immigration to the United States and the impact of the 1882 federal law that specifically singled out a group of people and excluded them from immigration and citizenship. Although the law is not well-known today, its broad and long-lasting consequences continue to affect our national understanding of immigration, race and nationality, and American identity.

Using that historical moment as a jumping off point, lead artist Ayo Scott and the youth artists examined how these topics--immigration, labor, civil rights activism--continue to shape our national identity, all through facilitated dialogues, historical research, guest speakers, and field trips to what was once the New Orleans Chinatown. Over 100 youth and community members helped contribute to the mural during a community paint day. The mural was unveiled at a community celebration featuring artist talks and a screening of the PBS documentary.

The resulting 8’ x 8’ traveling canvas mural depicts scenes from the country’s troubling history of exclusion and discrimination, while making parallels to contemporary struggles around immigration and racial justice. The artwork also pays homage to the Chinese influence on local cuisine by showing a bowl of Ya-Ka-Mein, a New Orleans dish influenced by Chinese immigrants who resided near Tulane and Loyola and later the French Quarter from the 1880s to the 1970s. Through the project, conversations around belonging and inclusion guided the artists to include an image of hope in the mural: a phoenix carries an olive branch signifying our vision for our country to be reborn as a nation that values peace and inclusion for all people.

Artists: Ayo Scott (Lead Artist Mentor), Shanti Broom, Anyx Burd, Sofia Olexia-Daigle, Kelby DeGruy, Kaira Edwards, Kamryn Edwards, Tyler Hayes, Lorryiane Henry, Skye McQuirter, Yen Nguyen, Sonja Nguyen, Halle Parker, Justin Parker, Victoria Phan, Kiyah Simmons, Tia Suggs, Gabrielle Tolliver, Gerrick Walker