This mural represents resilience and the capacity of New Orleans East to recover from the many difficulties it has faced. This design was inspired by an interview with Dr. Stella Jones, a long-time New Orleans East community leader and arts advocate, who shared her memories from when she was younger and her vision about what the future holds.
The abstract design is based on sedimentary rock formations, which represent layers of history and change. Each color represents different memories and experiences that collectively contribute to the ever-changing landscape and transformation of the area. The artists invited community members to suggest colors that represented specific memories for them. We hope that this mural will be a symbol of the strength of New Orleans East and its ability to withstand adversity and to build upon itself rather than deteriorate.
The Joe W. Brown Park youth mural series is part of a multi-year creative placemaking project spearheaded by NOLABA and Arts New Orleans called “Public Art in New Orleans East: Altering the Perception of a Vital Corridor through Art and Engagement.” The project coincides with broader revitalization efforts in the East. Our goal is to celebrate the diverse cultures of the East, shift its perception by beautifying community assets, and create a sense of place along once-thriving commercial corridors. The youth mural series was phase one of an initiative that will include large-scale sculptures along Lake Forest Blvd and at I-10 exits. Arts New Orleans secured a $75,000 National Endowment for the Arts Our Town grant in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy and NOLABA to support the project.
Youth artists met with several stakeholders and researched New Orleans East history and heritage to create murals that speak to the identities and aspirations of the community. The youth artists solicited input through a community design workshop and online surveys. Through a partnership with NOVAC, youth participants documented the process of making each of the four murals. The murals were unveiled at a community celebration that featured a second line parade through Joe W. Brown Park.
The project resulted in four murals in New Orleans East.
- Created: 2022
- Current Location: New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC) - Joe W. Brown Recreation Center, 5601 Read Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70127
- Collections: Public Art in New Orleans East: Altering the Perception of a Vital Corridor through Art and Engagement, Young Artist Movement (YAM)