new orleans street art tour

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Where to Find the Best New Orleans Street Art & Murals

Welcome to another installment of our street art around the world series! This post features incredible street art and murals in New Orleans — a city that oozes character and one of my favorite places anywhere in the world.

Much of the street art around town showcases civil rights and cultural leaders, scenes from the past and present of New Orleans, local residents, and the city’s rich musical tradition.

New Orleans street art adds more color to a city that already shines so brightly. It truly has it all — fascinating history, charming architecture, rich musical tradition, mouthwatering cuisine, just the right amount of grit, and some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet who don’t mind having a 30-minute conversation with strangers.

New Orleans’s multicultural heritage — with its African, Native American, and European influences — shapes every facet of local culture. This fusion makes New Orleans truly unique, and it is one of the most interesting places, in my humble opinion, to visit in the United States.

Back to the street art. Though the highest concentration of pieces we found are in the funky Bywater and Marigny neighborhoods, you can find them painted on walls and buildings all over the city. If you want to see them all, I suggest you rent a bike, take an Uber, or rent a car. If you stick to the Bywater and Marigny, you can easily cover everything on foot.

Keep scrolling for a full photo tour of street art and murals in New Orleans as well as the exact location of each piece. We will include context and links to artist Instagrams for the pieces where we can find the information.

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Street Art & Murals in New Orleans

Bywater neighborhood, outside brandan “bmike” odums’ studio be.

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Across the Street From Studio Be

Next to the Train Tracks in the Bywater Neighborhood

Marigny Neighborhood

Pieces Near the Hi-Ho Lounge

A Mural by MTO on Freret Street

Miscellaneous Pieces (Where I Forgot to Plot the Location 😭)

Piece by @distoart

And Last But Not Least, the Lil’ Wayne Mural In Hollygrove

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Dottie is a travel blogger and YouTuber, and one part of Dots on a Map. Check out her YouTube at www.youtube.com/dotsonamap, where she tells stories about travel, food, and local cultures around the world.

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A Guide To Exploring NOLA’s Most Impressive Street Art

New Orleans’ is becoming renowned for its gorgeous graffiti , murals and street art.

For something that used to be condemned, graffiti has come a long way. Now it’s become strategy for both councils and businesses from all over the world, to spruce up the streets and attract lovers of the art form.

New Orleans is and always has been famously colourful. It’s a pioneering city for the arts with its iconic architecture and musical history. But more recently, beautifully curated and complex murals that captivate the spirit of NOLA are becoming more and more popular.

You won’t find much street art in the historical center of New Orleans. The French Quarter is preserved and protected, but you don’t have to wonder far before finding some of the most impressive graffiti that NOLA has to offer.

The neighboring areas of Marigny and Bywater are constantly being painted by everchanging numbers. From commissioned pieces to naughty scribblings, searching for street art in these areas is always a trippy treat. Bywater is also home to Studio Be, a trailblazing center for modern and political art.

This place is a must-see if you’re in New Orleans and a lover of street art. Home to local artist Brandan Bmike Odums, the giant warehouse features countless pieces that tell stories of politics, revolutionaries and New Orleans.

We definitely recommend paying entry to view the exhibitions. There’s a spectacular array of art on display, but there are also murals spray painted on the outside that’re always changing, and worth the visit alone.

Yes, you read that correctly; the undisputed King of street art is splattered around the city. Following the tragedy that was Hurricane Katrina, Banksy used several buildings and houses as canvases. Many have sadly disappeared, but there are still remanences of the anonymous artist.

The most famous of these remains is ‘Umbrella Girl’, which is located on St. Claude Avenue at Kerlerec Street. The International House Hotel in Downtown NOLA have also restored one of the pieces. It chillingly portrays military officers filling up a shopping cart with stolen items.

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Where to Find Street Art & Murals in New Orleans

Vibrant street art and larger-than-life murals have popped up in major cities around the world in recent years. In places like Los Angeles, visitors can even take Instagram photo tours that feature the city’s best public art displays. In a city as creative and bold as New Orleans, it comes as no surprise that murals, sculptures, and art installations are as commonplace and photo-worthy as the city’s spectacular architecture – but you won’t find them in the historic French Quarter.

New Orleans’ public art movement will take you to the colorful Bywater neighborhood , the musical community of Tremé, and the bustling Central Business District. Whether you’re a street art aficionado or a visitor trying to snag your next Instagram post, you can spend hours wandering New Orleans in search of the best street art, graffiti art, and murals. Here are a few of our favorite spots to visit.

Studio BE Light Mural

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Hailey Fynaardt (@hailsyeah)

Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by NOLA2c-art (@nola_c_art)

What Brings You Joy?

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Dee Hollins (@datnolachic)

Banksy Pieces

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by NOLA Art Walk (@nolaartwalk)

You can find another Banksy work, The Umbrella Girl, on the corner of North Rampart and Kerlerec St.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Impermanent Art (@impermanent_art)

Allen Toussaint Mural

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Denise Keim (@denisekeimphoto)

I’m Here for You

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by craigcundiff (@craigcundiff)

Lil Wayne Mural

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Kristen Knox (@kristen.mk26)

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by KB (@the.urban.canvas)

This list of New Orleans street art just scratches the surface of the city’s public art scene. There are so many more murals and sculptures to see around NOLA’s various neighborhoods depicting famous musicians, African American icons, and colorful animals and insects. You might even spot some street art on a city walking tour ! Browsing #neworleansmurals on Instagram is another great way to get some inspiration and create your own street art tour. And if you’re really committed to tracking down all the best murals in New Orleans, take a look at this map made by the NOLA Mural Project. Happy hunting!

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Walk through the neighborhood of the historic Garden District in the American Sector Learn the historical significance of this area, view mansions, listen to ghost stories, and tour above ground cemeteries.

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The Best New Orleans Tours, from Cemeteries to Street Art

By Paul Oswell

One of the many great things about New Orleans is that it’s an eminently explorable city. Much of the downtown was designed in the 18th century, and so the streets lend themselves to walking; unlike most American cities, car travel is often unnecessary. This makes exploring all the Crescent City’s many facets an absolute delight, and there’s a thriving industry of tours in and around the French Quarter and the Garden District to educate you about most of them. Down here, the locals have a love affair with music, food, art, cocktails and tradition year-round, and the menu of tours celebrates all these things with a tangibly New Orleanian flavor. 

Read our complete New Orleans travel guide here .

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Garden District/Lafayette Cemetery Tour Arrow

Spend two hours walking around the Garden District and one of NOLA's most grand burial grounds with guides whose love of history and New Orleans' rich culture rings out loud and clear. It's okay to geek out seeing the current and former homes of larger-than-life figures like Trent Reznor, Nicolas Cage, and Anne Rice. History buffs are much better suited for this tour than ghost hunters and Goths.

Saints and Sinners Tour, French Quarter Phantoms Arrow

Tour operator French Quarter Phantoms is one of the larger tour options in New Orleans, and this is one of their more niche tours; one that dives into the seedier side of the city’s history in a way that the regular ghost and cemetery tours don’t. Learning the origins of the more hedonistic parts of the French Quarter is an eye-opening part of the experience, from the reason Bourbon Street caters to revelers, to the local burlesque scene, to pirates, corrupt politicians, and other unsavory characters (i.e. the sinners). The saints on this tour are far and few between but include Henriette DeLille, a Black Catholic nun in the 19th century. It’s an eclectic mix, delivered entertainingly and even-handedly.

The Cocktail Tour – Drink & Learn Arrow

Drink & Learn, a walking tour, kicks off in a bar in the heart of the French Quarter. Your guide will furnish you with chilled drinks, meant to savor on the route. With the perfect blend of humor and information, Elisabeth, the guide, uses cocktails to talk about the city's history and highlights. Sugar cane, absinthe, bitters: They were all a huge part of the local economy at various times.

LGBT Queer History Tour, No Secrets Tours Arrow

This tour of New Orleans' LGBTQ+ history has an average group size of around four people; typically members of the LGBTQ+ community, although it can also be a cross-section of allies, people interested in local history, and those who just want a change of pace from the regular ghost tours. It meets in the middle of the historic French Quarter, just a block or two from Jackson Square, and is led by guides with encyclopedic knowledge of the queer history of New Orleans that weaves into modern day political and social context. It’s queer history, but it’s also a social history of civil rights and changing attitudes in the city and in the United States, from Stonewall-era NOLA riots to ‘the closet’ as a Southern phenomenon and queer culture in the city's Mardi Gras celebrations. 

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Consider this a solid way to see all the best sights in the city. Greatest part: It doesn't just focus on touristy areas like the French Quarter or Jackson Square; it also covers the cold, hard realities of Katrina and shows the current state of the 9th Ward via a 14-seater van that covers an incredible amount of ground over three hours. Only have time for one tour and never been to NOLA before? Make it this one.

New Orleans Street Art & Mural Walk Arrow

Anyone with an interest in art beyond the galleries and museums would love this tour, which demystifies street art and provides meaning to the murals that you’ll see walking around the Marigny neighborhood. There’s around two hours of walking in total, with a bathroom/refreshment break in the middle; comfy shoes are a must. Some tours like this can feel voyeuristic, but the detail and well-informed tour guides here will make you feel like you are being shown a city's ‘behind the scenes.’ It’s even-handed, well-informed, and brings to life the murals and assorted art works with respect paid to various recent current events in New Orleans history. Plus you’re in the fresh air, appreciating striking paintings with fresh eyes.

Killers and Thrillers Ghost Tour, Ghost City Tours Arrow

This adults-only tour goes deep into the city's most notorious and gruesome crimes. Guides don't go overboard on the drama, but let the history speak for itself. People who enjoy true crime and the darker side of documentaries will find much to unpack on this 90-minute tour that might make you never look at the gorgeous French Quarter in the same way again, from the iconic Pharmacy Museum to more unassuming spots like the Sultan's Palace house on Dauphine Street.

Conspiracy in the Big Easy, Strange True Tours Arrow

Lee Harvey Oswald lived in NOLA from April to September of 1963—just before the Kennedy assassination. This tour seeks to uncover just what exactly he was doing in New Orleans over about a mile of walking. People who like to ask questions and never stop learning will appreciate how compelling this tour is. Cynics and the easily bored, though, need not apply. In our opinion, this tour is so thorny and thought-provoking it's best experienced with no expectations at all.

Hermann-Grima House Urban Enslavement Tour Arrow

This new offering from the well-established Hermann-Grima House, a historic house museum in the French Quarter of New Orleans, runs five times per day with advance reservations required and group sizes capped. The tour covers the history of rural and urban slavery practices, pairing the general social and political climates of the time with deeply humanizing details of everyday existence in the very house in which the tour takes place. Visitors learn the names of those people that lived here and their familial relationships and roles in the household, and see where people slept and ate. Slavery is presented in all its brutal truth, given its full historical context, and in the end, presented as a lesson for modern day incarceration. The house itself is an interesting example of how the upper classes lived, and it has been well conserved with all the original decadent fixtures and fittings. These, if anything, underline the stark contrast at play during this dark time, and it’s a sobering, impactful tour for anyone.

New Orleans Music & Heritage Tour, Abel Tours Arrow

This is for anyone remotely interested in New Orleans' rich history of jazz, blues, and rock music. The tour starts at Louisiana Music Factory and manages to cram three centuries of musical history into a few hours. Stories include those of the Royal Orleans Hotel —a longtime favorite of Led Zeppelin, Jefferson Airplane, and The Grateful Dead—plus key songs shared on a Bluetooth speaker.

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Private Art Tour of New Orleans with Lunch - Includes Street Art!

• Certified Guide
• Lunch - Alcohol drinks not included
• Entry/Admission - Arts District of New Orleans
• Entry/Admission - Banksy's Rain Girl
• Entry/Admission - Magazine Street
• This tour includes private transportation door to door
• 1350 Port of New Orleans Pl, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Near public transportation
• Most travelers can participate
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• Magazine Street
• Banksy's Rain Girl
• Arts District of New Orleans

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• You'll get picked up See departure details
• 1 Arts District of New Orleans Stop: 45 minutes - Admission included See details
• 2 Banksy's Rain Girl Stop: 10 minutes - Admission included See details
• 3 Arts District / Warehouse District Stop: 15 minutes See details
• 4 Magazine Street Stop: 60 minutes - Admission included See details
• 5 French Quarter Stop: 60 minutes See details
• You'll return to the starting point

• Fkerns 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Kept waiting I scheduled this trip several days in advance and credit card was charged. Arrived in New Orleans a couple days before this tour with a full itinerary carefully planned. However this tour website continued to list me as confirmed/pending despite my many checks. As I was going out for a long day’s trip the morning prior to this tour, its status remained unchanged and indefinite even up to the hour which would not allow refunds. Not wanting to have an empty day for a desired tour, I called Viator who said they had been notified it was cancelled by the operator although I had not been notified. I quickly cancelled this tour and booked another elsewhere that was wonderful. The next day this tour company belatedly emailed that the tour was cancelled. Read more Written March 10, 2024
• Kathleen B 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Must do! Great experience! Not a fan of large tours, we like to be able to ask questions and have a discussion with the guide, so this was perfect. Our guide was knowledgeable, personable and friendly, as well as very helpful in getting us comfortably grounded in the area we would be spending the next 10 days in. Well done, and highly recommended! Read more Written February 29, 2024
• Plstraveler_11 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles You should take this tour! Excellent tour with Marc to many NOLA neighborhoods! Enjoyed the beautiful architecture, landscapes and his spot-on recommendations for good food in places with character. Highly recommend. Read more Written January 19, 2024
• Departure321402 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great way to experience New Orleans. Marc was easy to talk to and we visited places we haven’t visited yet. One of our favorite excursions while staying in New Orleans. We enjoyed the information that Marc shared with us. He was fun and engaging. My advice is to take this tour when you start your vacation. He also recommends places to see and establishments to visit. Read more Written October 4, 2023
• jimp63000 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great Overview of New Orleans We did the tour on our first day in town. Our guide took us to all the interesting neighborhoods and gave us lots of recommendations. We went beyond just the typical tourist spots and saw some real New Orleans life. The tour gave us a great foundation for deciding what we did on our next 3 days. Read more Written July 27, 2023
• corneliatoddh 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles The perfect New Orleans tour Marc is the quintessential New Orleans host and guide. He knows every neighborhood and all historical and fun facts of each city section. He takes you into the heart of the real New Orleans - not just down quaint streets to see magnificent architecture and gardens (and we saw lots of the beautiful neighborhoods). We saw the lower 9th ward as he told us the history and first hand experience of Katrina without political commentary. As we drove down main boulevards, Marc had suggestions almost every block of where to eat/shop/visit/chill and listen to great music. He has a wealth of information on everything New Orleans. Marc is so wonderful that you will think of him as family by the time your tour ends. Read more Written July 16, 2023
• scotthM1123QQ 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Awesome New Orleans Tour Marc was a very knowledgable guide and accomodated our last minute reservation. His tour was the highlight of our New Orleans trip. Read more Written June 9, 2023
• alexaI4210PW 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles This Will Be The Best Experience of Your Trip. I Promise! Words won't do justice to our experience with NOLA Detours, but I'll try to get close. We were looking for something that was different and would take us to places that were off the typical tourist routes. After reading review after review of people praising NOLA Detours and Marc, then going to their website and reading through some of their tour options, I knew they were the right fit. The thing that makes NOLA Detours special is that Marc, the owner and guide, is a New Orleans native raised in the French Quarter. He knows and loves this city. It doesn’t matter what you’re into - history, architecture, music, food, etc. – he has a tour for that. And if he doesn’t, he’ll build one. We wanted to “Frankenstein” a couple of tours together and after some back and forth emails, I just said, “We’d like a 2-3 hour tour of the less touristy areas of NOLA with historical context. Music locations and history should be included and can even be the focus.” I mean, this is a pretty loose description but we ended up getting so much more than we expected. And, Marc really honed in on what excited us and how we were vibing with different things so he’d adjust and take us to sites that he thought we’d like. Toward the end, my friend needed to do some very specific gift shopping and Marc took us to the most perfect shop. I mean, it was uncanny. So, when I tell you that you won’t have a better tour guide, believe me. Whether you pick a tour from the ones on the site or you have them build something for you, you won’t be disappointed. Since he grew up there and his parents still live there, I’m dubbing him the Mayor of French Quarter. He knows every shop and the people on the street and he uses that knowledge to make your experience beyond perfect. Read more Written April 25, 2023
• etroissl 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles No parking problem ,but make reservation before you go the place was full on a Thursday evening. Excellent Service from the Owner ,and the the Food was like expected Sea bass and Steaks very well done by his wife in the Kitchen. Read more Written April 7, 2023
• W1744XLchelseab 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles The best way to see New Orleans! We went on an unforgettable custom tour to experience the magic of the Cajun Swamp Culture. We felt like locals, there was nothing touristy about this tour which made it special. I would recommend to everyone. You need to see this and Mark is one to do it with! Read more Written April 4, 2023
• Mikeh727 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Worth every penny and then some! I'll start this by saying that if we could give this tour ten stars we would do it. Mark was an EXCELLENT guide for this tour! We took this tour the week before Mardi Gras and were so glad that we chose to do this private tour instead of a group tour. Mark picked us up at our hotel right on time and he gave us a little bit of a preview of what we could expect as we got going, but he also asked our input about anything in particular that we wanted to see. While we went to many of the places you would expect to go (French Quarter, Garden District, City Park, Frenchman Street), we also went to a few of the "must visit" places on our list, but then he took us to some gems that you would need some local knowledge to know about. We stopped for breakfast at a great little bakery, had a beer at Vaughans Lounge were we chatted with the owner, ate red beans and rice from a little food counter that had chefs which specialized in each dish, and beignets at city park. He not only showed us around town but gave us advice on some of the places to go to on our own and showed us that there was more to NOLA than the French Quarter. And, he did all of this on his birthday (which happened to be my wife's birthday also)! He does other tours including a food tour which we will probably do with him the next time we come back. Group tours are fine, but if you want a personalized experience with someone with local knowledge that's willing to share that knowledge to make your experience in town a better one, this is the tour you want. Read more Written March 12, 2023
• H00sierDad 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles BEST TOUR OF NEW ORLEANS! Marc was a great host and very knowledgeable. This is the best way to experience everything New Orleans has to offer! Read more Written March 7, 2023
• RetiredTravelers18 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles 5 Stars All The Way Marc introduced us to parts of New Orleans we'd never seen but were curious about. We gained so much knowledge, we have a new appreciation for this city. The food and restaurants he introduced us to were perfect! What a wonderful time....5 STARS ALL THE WAY! Four visitors from Michigan will never forget this delightful day! Read more Written March 5, 2023
• B3207LNbrianh 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Culinary Culture OMG!!! This tour was SO AMAZING!!!! We hit a bunch of unique restaurants all over New Orleans. I absolutely loved everywhere we went. Our guides were extremely knowledgeable and happy to answer all of our questions. Everyone in our group had a blast even though some of us drank so much they don't remember. :) Read more Written February 22, 2023
• Sharon R 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles I will only use Nola Detours in the future! Marc and Kristen are amazing! We had a group of 20 people, celebrating 50th and 70th birthdays. We spent 2 days with Marc seeing New Orleans and surrounding areas. Marc customized the tours for our group and every one of us had an amazing time! We tried new food, learned a lot about New Orleans on a city tour, went on a swamp tour, and toured a plantation. Marc and Kristen helped with planning our meals, making reservations for 20, planning a night on our room balcony and giving us a lot of tips on what to do. They are both great, nice people and very easy to work with. They made our trip perfect! I cannot say enough good things about them!!! Read more Written February 21, 2023

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Private Art Tour of New Orleans with Lunch - Includes Street Art! provided by Nola DeTours

Monday - Saturday | 9:30-4:00    

Sunday- 9:30-1:30 & by appointment          

Tuesday - Saturday | 10-5

Sunday by appointment 

Tuesday - Saturday | 10-5 & by appointment

Monday - Saturday | 10-5

Monday - Saturday | 10-5 + by appointment

Monday - Saturday | 9:30 - 4

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Afropolitan highlights some of the most pioneering African artists of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries in the museum’s collection.

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Watch Curatorial Fellow Laura Ochoa Rincon discuss the progression of her curatorial vision, including her studies on NOMA’s extensive glass collection.

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Join us for a screening and panel discussion on the documentary The Nita & Zita Project , a story of two legendary New Orleans dancers.

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Celebrate 20 years of the Besthoff Sculpture Garden with a year-long celebration of events and more.

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NOMA hosted the retirement celebration for Big Chief Victor Harris, honoring 59 years as a Black Masking Indian.

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Explore the exhibition catalogue of Debbie Fleming Caffery’s first major career retrospective, In Light of Everything .

Wangechi Mutu: Intertwined

This major solo exhibition of work by Wangechi Mutu brings together nearly one hundred sculptures, paintings, collages, drawings, and films to present the breadth of the Kenyan–American artist’s multidisciplinary practice.

Rebellious Spirits: Prohibition and Resistance in the South

This exhibition explores the unique methods in which the South, in particular New Orleans, dealt with the passage of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, which banned alcohol in the United States.

Double Space: Women Photographers and Surrealism

Drawn from NOMA’s permanent collection, works by Ilse Bing, Ruth Bernhard, Lola Alvarez-Bravo, Carlotta M. Corpron, Florence Henri, and Lee Miller illustrate ways that women pushed the boundaries of surrealist art.

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Scenes from Symphony of the Sown, a runway presentation by @odaomo in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden ✨🌿🪡 — 🎥: @_tkcollins_ @toneontop ...

Feliz cumpleaños, Fernando Botero! 🎉 Museum Educator Laura Moreno discusses the artist’s work “Mother and Child” in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden. — 🎨: Fernando Botero, “Mother and Child,” 1988. Bronze. Museum purchase, Sydney and Walda Besthoff Foundation Fund, 2003.157. ...

@nitazitaproject tells the story of two legendary New Orleans dancers, following their rise to stardom in the 1920s, their eventual retirement in New Orleans, and the thousands of costumes they created.⁠ ⁠ Following the documentary`s New Orleans premiere in NOMA’s Lapis Center for the Arts, filmmakers @missmarcidarling and Sharon Gillen will speak about the film with Burlesque performer @trixienola.⁠ ⁠ Guests are also invited to view a selection of Nita`s and Zita`s costumes from 5:00 to 5:30 pm.⁠ ⁠ Free and open to the public. Click the link in our bio for more information about the program.⁠ ...

The painting ➡️ the artist Hapsburg Empress Maria Theresa was anxious to see her daughter Marie Antoinette formally portrayed as Queen of France, but few artists met her rigid standards. The exception was Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun, who was born #OnThisDay in 1755. The daughter of a portraitist and wife of a prominent art dealer, #VigéeLeBrun initially painted informal portraits of the Queen of France and her children. Given the opportunity to paint state portraits, Vigée Le Brun astutely endowed Marie Antoinette with the formal dignity and regal hauteur that would appeal to her imperial parent. The magnificent state portrait in the first slide pleased both the Empress and the Queen, and Vigée Le Brun was awarded membership in the Académie Royale and continuing royal patronage. As much as a royal portrait, the 19th-century painting by Alexis Joseph Pérignon in the second slide tells a specific, highly orchestrated story of the queen, graciously assisting her official portraitist by picking up the artist’s materials, which had fallen to the ground. Painted during the Second French Empire, Pérignon’s work is indicative of its time, when Napoleon III had re-established monarchy in France. — 🎨: Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, “Portrait of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France,” ca. 1788. Oil on canvas. Museum purchase: Women’s Volunteer Committee and Carrie Heiderich Fund, 85.90. 🎨: Alexis-Joseph Pérignon, “Madame Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun Painting the Portrait of Queen Marie Antoinette,” 1859. Oil on canvas. Gift of Joseph Bailliol, 2010.150. 📍: Second floor, Armande Billion Gallery ...

A beautiful afternoon for Music in the Garden with @marina_albero_music and @lpohornsound 🎶🌿🌞 ...

Looking for a zero-proof alternative after @fqfest weekend? 🍋 Try a glass of lemonade.⁠ ⁠ Associated with the rise of the American Protestant Church in the 1830s and 1840s, “teetotalers” urged cessation of liquor consumption. Influential groups like the Women’s Christian Temperance Union ultimately organized for the complete government prohibition of liquor.⁠ ⁠ Lemonade pitchers similar to this one made of pressed uranium glass were often central to temperance gatherings and served as subtle symbols of abstinence, while pledge cards and temperance ribbons overtly shared a personal commitment to abstaining from alcohol.⁠ ⁠ In the Reconstruction-era South, the temperance movement gained traction as a response to widespread societal concerns like consistent overconsumption of alcohol, rising levels of domestic violence, and falling workplace productivity. ⁠ ⁠ Influenced by the region’s conservative values, Southern temperance advocates viewed abstinence from alcohol as a means to a more virtuous society, addressing issues such as family instability and moral decay.⁠ ⁠ 👉 "Rebellious Spirits: Prohibition and Resistance in the South" is on view at NOMA through January 5.⁠ —⁠ 🎨: Hobbs, Brockunier and Company (Wheeling, West Virginia, 1845–1891), “Hobnail” or “Dew Drop” Pitcher, c. 1890. Pressed uranium glass. New Orleans Museum of Art, 1996 Decorative Arts Discretionary Purchase Fund, 96.175.⁠ 📍: Second floor, Elise M. Besthoff Charitable Foundation Gallery ...

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Public Art in New Orleans

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Last Updated: Friday, August 20, 2021 1:50 PM

It is no secret that New Orleans values the arts. You can wander around the city and find not only historic architecture, but creative murals, sculptures and various forms of public art. With the help of many local organizations, such as the NOLA Mural Project and Arts Council New Orleans, artwork around the city continues to be created to inspire others. Street art has become a recognized part of the city’s landscape. Whether you want an Instagram backdrop or just to admire, here is a round up of a few of our favorite works.

Light Mural by Brandan Odums

Artist and organizer, BMike, completed this mural in 2016 to uplift the Bywater neighborhood. Painted across the Studio BE warehouse, you’ll find an African American girl radiating light. She resembles a religious image, and is accompanied by a poem by Cleo Wade. 

Allen Toussaint by Brendon Art

This portrait of the late Allen Toussaint is located at 1441 North Claiborne Avenue in Treme . It depicts him with a glowing rim around his head, as if he was an angel. The artwork by Brendon Art was sponsored by the NOLA Mural Project.

Ashé Cultural Arts Center

A giant mural created by artists Jamar Pierre, Terrance Osborne, Lidya Araya, Lionel Miltone, and Shakor and Ivan Watkins adorns the outside of this Oretha Castle Haley cultural center . Local icons such as Louis Armstrong and Mahalia Jackson are accompanied by Mardi Gras Indians, gospel singers, a second line and more.

Dr. John by MTO Graff

The recent passing of music legend Dr. John was a hard news for the world to bear. Head to 3223 Dryades Street, off the beaten path Uptown , to see him depicted full of the colors that embodied him so.

In June 2019, five large-scale murals were unveiled in Downtown New Orleans. The works were spearheaded by the Arts Council of New Orleans, and were the result of a competition from local and international artists. The artists selected were Etam Cru, Brandan “BMike” Odums, Team A/C, MOMO and Carl Joe Williams. Blank facades were transformed into works of art.

Lil Wayne by CeAux

Muralist Courtney “CeAux” Buckley painted New Orleans born superstar, Lil Wayne, in Hollygrove at 8401 Olive Street. The painting gained extra traction when rapper, Drake, featured the mural in his music video for the song “In My Feelings.” You can see CeAux’s work around the city such as on St. Claude near Elysian Fields where he painted a 1990s New Orleans woman, who he named Teddie.

I’m Here for You by Craig Cundiff

On a busy block of N. Rampart and Elysian Fields, a breath-taking mural makes people stop in their tracks. Two women, Nikki Breeze and Bee Whyne, are locking eyes in a moment of connection. The mural was inspired from a moment post-Katrina, when Nikki and her mom supported Bee through a difficult time.

A few of the world-renowned graffiti artist’s work can be found around the city. Seventeen were originally created in 2008, but many have been destroyed or covered up since. Many of the works reflected life during and directly after Hurricane Katrina. You can still see a girl with an umbrella on the corner of Kerlerec and North Rampart streets. At The International House Hotel , another famous but controversial work which depicts National Guardsman looting during Hurricane Katrina, can be found in the lobby.

You cannot miss the large mural painted on the Freret Street music club, Gasa Gasa . Berlin-based artists MTO painted the side of the building in 2013 as a commission from the owner, Micah Burns. The four males are screaming, one through a copy of the Fall. It symbolizes a call for help and yearning for youth. You can also see a work from AZ, a local graffiti artist resembling Banksy, on the other side of the building.

Jazz Legends by BMike

As part of the New Orleans Tricentennial in 2018, BMike was commissioned to paint a mural in the CBD . The artists depicted include Jazz legends Buddy Bolden, Freddie Keppard and Jelly Roll Morton. The mural symbolizes the building it sits on, as site of Frank Douroux’s first tavern and a performance hall where the depicted jazz musicians played.

Big Freedia by Sasha Kopfler

Iconic New Orleans bounce star, Big Freedia, has made her mark on the Marigny . Outside the Art Garage , you can see Freedia spray painted with her famous phrase, “You Already Know.”

Louis Armstrong Park

Throughout this Treme park, you will find sculptures honoring music greats and neighborhood legends. The sculptures were created by various artists, but include depictions of a brass band, Mardi Gras Indian Chief Tootie Montana, Buddy Bolden, Mahalia Jackson and, of course, Louis Armstong.

Streetcar Named Inspire by Lori Gomez

Sponsored by the Young Leadership Council of New Orleans, painted streetcars were created to raise money for a new Art Pavilion. Streetcar sculptures were created and painted to depict iconic New Orleans scenes. You can find them around town such as next to the Saenger Theater , Fulton Street , Lafayette Square , and Audubon Park .

The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden

Although it is part of the New Orleans Museum of Art , the Sculpture Garden is free to enter and open to the public. The garden doubled in size in 2019, and now includes over 90 sculptures. Check their official website for hours of operation.

For a full list of NOLA Mural Project’s works, visit their official page here . For more information on the Arts Council of New Orleans , see here .

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An Art Lover’s Walking Tour of New Orleans

St. louis cathedral in jackson square (photo: joshua brasted).

There are so many ways to experience the Crescent City’s joie de vivre from music to food; another is through its vibrant visual arts. If you are looking for a unique way to feast your eyes on New Orleans , spend an afternoon on art walk tour exploring its artsy side from galleries to street murals. Try this itinerary and wander as you see fit.

12 p.m. Start your day off right with beignets from the famous Café Du Monde . From the café, you should stroll by the St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square where you can admire the work from artists of all walks of life for free. See the work of Elaine Cummings, a local artist, whose parents were also Jackson Square painters.

12:30 p.m. Since you’re already in the French Quarter you may as well swing by Royal Street on your art tour through New Orleans . Not only are there art galleries galore, but there are also antique shops like Keils Antiques with items that date back to the 1800s. Be sure to stop by Rodrigue Studio , where you’ll see the infamous Blue Dog paintings and all of his adventures.

1:30 p.m. Hop the streetcar and ride down to the Garden District where you’ll take a tour of the artistically-styled homes of Uptown New Orleans. From shotgun homes to Queen Annes and Victorians, you’ve seen them all.

2 p.m. is prime time to experience the art and shopping on Magazine Street . Enjoy lunch at one of its popular restaurants like Joey K’s , known for its red beans and rice. Take a lazy stroll to observe the outsider art of self-taught artists at the Anton Haardt Gallery or wander in and out of the specialty boutiques and antique shops.

3 p.m. Next on your art walk , make your way to downtown New Orleans  to visit Julia Street in the Arts District , where a collection of 15 galleries showcase sculpture, ceramics, glass, photography and every medium in between. While you’re in the area, check out the Contemporary Art Center , where performance art meets visual art.

4 p.m. Certainly by now you are thirsty. It’s time to hit one of the city’s many jazz happy hours. The highly-praised SoBou has a “Happier Hour” featuring classic sips like Sazeracs and high balls. It’s New Orleans, and libations are always encouraged.

5:30 p.m. By now, you have second-lined your way through just about every happy hour you could find and it’s still early. Grab a taxi to the Bywater and Faubourg Marigny areas to find some of the city’s best street art. While you are there, amble through the magnificent Crescent Park located along the Mississippi River.

7 p.m. What a day! You’re probably exhausted and maybe just a little bit tipsy. But, you can relish in the fact that you’ve killed an entire afternoon the artsy way.

Now rest up. New Orleans nightlife is calling, and you have some partying to do.

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