Paint Tchoup

Data News Staff Edited Report

On Saturday, October 8, 2022, the New Orleans community is invited to come out to learn more about and support the completion of the Tchoupitoulas Floodwall Mural. The event will take place at NOLA Brewing at 3001 Tchoupitoulas Street from 6pm-9pm.

The evening will include performances by Meschiya Lake & Ben Polcer at 6:30pm followed by Lil Rascals Brass Band Reunion at 8pm; food & drink; and a raffle. General admission tickets are free though registration through Eventbrite is suggested. VIP tickets, including seating for two, two beer tickets, and one art print are available for $50.

All proceeds from the event will support work on the Tchoupitoulas Floodwall Mural by New Orleans International Muralists under the artistic direction of Muralist Jamar Pierre.

ABOUT THE TCHOUPITOULAS FLOODWALL MURAL PROJECT: New Orleans International Muralists (NOIM) is creating Louisiana’s longest mural along the Tchoupitoulas Street Floodwall. Under the artistic direction of renowned New Orleans Artist Jamar Pierre, NOIM will point the one mile stretch of floodwall with murals that depict New Orleans’ vibrant history and culture. The paintings that will cover the seven blocks of floodwall between Josephine and 9th Streets will be culturally significant, educational in nature, and historically relevant. This neighborhood beautification project will brighten the streetscape of the Tchoupitoulas corridor, further develop the city’s artistic workforce, create mentorship opportunities, and bring diverse groups of people together to celebrate New Orleans’ history with vivid murals.

ABOUT THE ARTIST: Jamar Pierre is a New Orleans artist with strong ties to the city he calls home. As a painter, muralist, and educator Pierre loves contrasting urban and rural environments while merging contemporary folk art and landscapes with his early experience in the 1980s street art scene. He paints to bring conversations about his culture, traditions, the history of his city, and the relationship with the land to life. He finds inspiration in the Mississippi River, Gulf of Mexico, swamplands, and bayous just as he does in the sights, sounds, tastes, and aromas of the neighborhoods of New Orleans. While much of Pierre’s work starts small on paper and canvas, his true passion is the creation of large-scale murals.

With more than twenty years of professional visual art experience, Pierre has created exquisite masterpieces for fine art exhibits both stateside and internationally in countries such as Iceland, Canada, and Costa Rica. His painting, “Resilience” – the official artwork of the New Orleans Tricentennial Celebration, was displayed in the Library of Congress for the duration of 2018. He has also been recognized by both the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Institute and the National Public Radio Broadcasting Group for his contributions to fine art. Pierre’s passion for cultural advocacy and commitment drives his work. Pierre’s murals, and his commitment to honoring the contributions of people of color to our community can be seen locally at Bywater Art Garden, Treme’ Center, St. Peter Claver Church, and Cohen College Prep.