creativity through collaboration
The purpose of People for Public Art is to fund, create, and document works of public art for the City of New Orleans and beyond. We are artist-run and community-informed. We use this platform to create works of art that reflect the stories of the people. We believe that public artwork should be anchored by social justice, and preserve narratives that are in danger of being silenced.
Our Board of Directors
Monica Kelly
Monica is a muralist, illustrator and light artist based in New Orleans. She founded People for Public Art in 2020 to create a vehicle for public art sponsorship and facilitation. She believes that the best public art is born of collaboration, community dialogue, and historical narrative. @monicakellystudio
Nik Richard
Nik is a native New Orleanian urban planner and illustrator, who brings an important perspective to People for Public Art on artistic implementation in public spaces. He works for the Army Corps of Engineers full-time and is busy as a freelance illustrator as well. Nik and Monica designed "The Spirit of Lower Mid-City" public art walk together, which inspired them to create more public-facing narrative artwork. @nikrichard
Ayo Scott
Ayo is a native New Orleanian fine artist/designer with experience in collaborating with non-profits and other high profile organizations. One theme of exploration within his work has been technology and its effects on humanity. Ayo's father, John Scott, was a highly respected artist who created public artworks for the City of New Orleans as well. @ayoscott
Collaborating Artists
“New Orleans Queens of Sound & Soul” Mural House
Antonia Zennaro is an Italian artist who has worked around the world connecting communities with her imagery. Antonia was a main collaborator on the “Memorial for the Hard Rock III”, and for the mural house she created custom flags featuring homeowner Tricia Diamond and her twerk team. @antonia.zennaro
Tyla Maiden is an emerging illustrator and muralist, who is our junior designer and has also collaborated on both public art projects . Tyla assisted with the overall mural design and Creative Direction. @tyla.the.creative
Kara Crowley is a native New Orleanian fine artist who embraces black culture through her portraiture and recently won the “Audience Choice” award for the Louisiana Contemporary exhibition at the Ogden Museum. Kara painted the portraits of Charmaine Neville, Mahalia Jackson and Robin Barnes on the mural house. @artbykaramariee
Savanna Stephens is a multimedia artist who has worked in the float-building industry and sculpted our giant “Heart of the City” ornament, the crown jewel of the mural house. @savartdesign
Dahlia Wigfall is a fiber collage artist from Philadelphia who also worked on the “Memorial for the Hard Rock III”. @bludahlia
Madeleine Kelly is a painter, educator and yoga instructor from Philadelphia/New Jersey who creates artwork with a focus on spiritual practice. Madeleine painted the portraits of Doreen Ketchens and Erica Falls on the mural house. @madgkelly
Gabrielle Tolliver, a New Orleans native, has been surrounded by different art forms her entire life. Through the cultural influence of the city, Tolliver has used visual arts to explore the themes of the human form, emotion, and their relationship. Gabby painted the portrait of Mia X on the mural house. @gabbytolliverart
Ariana Marisol “As a black and brown queer artist, I aim to immortalize the experiences of people like me. Each painting is a glimpse into a moment in time, however big or small it may be. I use bright colors and diverse landscapes to give each painting a dreamlike feel. My art celebrates the culture and beauty that emanates from us with our every breath.” @ariana_marisol_art
Memorial for the Hard Rock III: Bubba, Quinn, and Jose
Antonia Zennaro is an Italian artist who has formed deep relationships in the migrant worker community of New Orleans. She has collaborated as a leading artist on Phase I of the Memorial to produce the memory flags attached to each banner. @antonia.zennaro
Dahlia Wigfall is a fiber collage artist and educator with 16+ years of experience working with youth via Breakfree Design Group, her non-profit that teaches fashion entrepreneurship in Philadelphia. @bludahlia
Ella Campbell is a collage artist, seamstress and musician who is also disabled. She is a collaborating artist and consultant. @ellabystarlight
Grandmafun is a burlesque dancer, performance artist, and has worked in non-profits with a focus on activism, sustainability, reuse of materials, and social causes (Housing Works, Film Biz Recycling, and ricRACK) @grandmafun
Darryl Summers is a master sewer and and designer who produces everything from haute fashion to custom masks out of his studio in Metairie.
Maria Sandhammer is a fabric artist and master sewing technician who specializes in appliquéd and embroidered banners and flags. @maria_sandhammer
Graffiti Artists Swan, Dvote and other anonymous contributors tagged the names and nicknames of the Hard Rock Three below the memorial.
