"Birth of a Muse" is a cast bronze figure representing Terpsichore, one of the nine muses who are the namesakes of the Lower Garden District neighborhood. Bernadas explains:

"The Muses, according to Greek mythology, are goddesses who inspire the creation of the arts. They whisper in the ear, light the fire within, and stimulate the creative process of every artist. Expressed here is Terpsichore, emerging from a trumpet flower, to begin her life in celebration of music, song and dance. She beckons friends old and new to explore Coliseum Square and celebrate the natural and artistic beauty found in the neighborhood of the nine muses."

Birth of a Muse was selected by a panel of neighborhood representatives as the first post-Katrina Public Art Commission for the City of New Orleans, and was installed as part of a revitalization project for the Coliseum Square Park. The location for piece, at the corner of Prytania and Terpsichore, was determined through neighborhood surveys with the help of Coliseum Square Association. It creates another entrance point to the park guarded by a strong female figure; like Margaret Haughery at the Clio St. entrance, and Sophie Wright at the uptown end of the park system.