NOLA RISING

Happy Thanksgiving from the NoLA Rising Crew

2011-11-24T16:04:00.000-08:00

A little Rex humor for you this Turkey Day. One day those turkeys just might rebel. Hope everyone had a happy and fun-filled day!

Artwork donated for NoLA Rising's 5th It's Yours, Take It annual art for toys swap

2011-11-19T11:31:00.000-08:00

---ARTWORK RECEIVED AS OF NOVEMBER 19th---

Pure by Dawn Iles
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El Duende by Claire Griffiths

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Untitled by Al Palmer

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Caroline Piccioni

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Schrodingers Cats by Asa Medhurst

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Fakey Cake Maker by Rachel Price

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by Eliot Draws

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Untitled by Elizabeth Spencer

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Patriotic...on both sides of the Ocean by Jan Drury

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Automatic Faces by Alice in Nowhereland
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Venus 2010 by Francesco Benenato

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Delicate 1 by Reena Clare

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Frozen Corrosive Under Planet by Garth Simmons

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by TOXIC NERD

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by Claire Levine

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by Jacque Davis

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by Diane Millsap

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Thank you to everyone who has donated artwork and for everyone who's got stuff on the way...will try and post by groups as work arrives!

NoLA RISING Paint Party - Art to Benefit IYTI Art for Toys Swap

2011-11-19T10:55:00.000-08:00

PAINT PARTY - NOLA RISING & IT'S YOURS, TAKE IT
the old XO STUDIOS
the PARK next to 2833 Dauphine Street
(Dauphine and Press Streets... Marigny/Bywater border at the train tracks... New Orleans)
SUNDAY - NOVEMBER 20th - 2011 - NOON until 4ish

For the fifth installment of New Orleans’ It’s Yours, Take it, Rex would yet again like to continue the practice of a holiday art swap. For the fifth year in a row, artwork has been created and sent in for a toy for art swap to raise toys for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program and similar programs in the New Orleans area. The premise is simple: Someone brings a brand new toy in a box to donate to children and they get to take a piece of art with them. The toys are then donated to programs for their annual holiday distribution.

The paint parties have been going on since that pesky storm passed by our city and our levees failed due to (well, you know)... To bolster the NoLA Rising offerings to people who bring toys in a box, we are having a paint party in conjunction with New Orleans Fringe Festival. The artwork created during the art event will be stored until the day of the art swap at the Hi-Ho Lounge.

Facebook Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/events/290343927666151/

For more information, click any of the pictures in this post. Address for Hi-Ho below. Look forward to seeing you there,

All best,
Rex

IYTI NoLA 5 - LOCATION SET:
Hi-Ho Lounge
2239 St. Claude Avenue
New Orleans
December 11th, 2011

Announcing NoLA Rising's New Website...

2011-01-06T22:26:00.000-08:00

Howdy everyone,

NoLA Rising has been busy behind the scenes getting some business in order. One such task was re-designing our website. Check it out and let us know what you think!

http://nolarising.org/

With the re-introduction of the website and the blog feature attached, we'll start transferring over applicable posts from the blogspot address here to there.

Btw, we had help on this from dedicated friends and associates. Elli of Ms. Placed helped with the header design, Lance Vargas is still graciously hosting our site and Calliope Consulting took the design and laid out the development.

As always, thanks for supporting NoLA Rising and Paint the Change you wish to see!

Happy New Year and Happy Twelfth Night,
Rex
NoLA Rising

INSPIRE Collective's 4th Annual REUSE PROJECT: REUSE & RESIST!

2010-12-29T06:18:00.000-08:00

INSPIRE Collective's 4th Annual REUSE PROJECT: REUSE & RESIST!

REUSE PROJECT 4: REUSE & RESIST! Open Call For Art until Feb. 1st! www.reuseandresist.tk

What is the ReUse Project? Every year, for the past 4 years, INSPIRE Collective has made a call for art, taken a centralized public building, and installed as much artwork inside & outside as possible, then we open the doors to the public!

Want to get involved this time around? Just keep reading…

There is a better way, no matter what they say! Present-day cities, the world over, have massive percentages of un-used & generally neglected public space. By itself, this fact quickly becomes its own negative social issue & it isn’t a phenomenon, it’s a disgusting norm of all industrialized cities at this point. WE MUST REUSE AND RESIST!!

But how?! Many social issues could be already solved by ReUsing & re-thinking public space. This year, let’s stop talking about it and started getting things done!

INSPIRE Collective would like to extend this call for art around the world, so if you know folks who would like to get involved…We extend the invitation to all creators to participate in ReUse Project 4: REUSE AND RESIST!

If you’re a conscious artist living on this planet and you can creatively relate to the ideas of ReThinking and ReUsing, then this exhibition is for you! Help us to make a positive social statement here in the Middle East & sustainable, independent artists will help to make this necessary statement world-wide. Open call for art ends February 1st.

For participation inquiries, entry submissions, call for art info, etc., please visit:

www.reuseandresist.tk

Also, for INSPIRE Collective past events and more: www.inspirecollectiveevents.tk

Remember, the open call for art ends February 1st.

Mail to:

ITW

P.O. Box 4917

Tel Aviv, Israel

61049

Happy Holidays from NoLA Rising

2010-12-25T09:40:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays from NoLA Rising, originally uploaded by dingler1109.

From the NoLA Rising family to you and yours...Happy Holidays!

NoLA Rising/IYTI - Toys for Tots Success

2010-12-14T12:10:00.000-08:00

NoLa Rising held the fourth annual "It's Yours, Take It" art swap this past Saturday at the Hi-Ho (located in the St. Claude Arts District). The concept has long been a part of the NoLA Rising philosophy...to give art to the people. It's Yours, Take It is a way for artists to give artwork to a community, whether through organized functions such as this or through more guerrilla means. NoLa Rising has adapted it's annual IYTI by requesting that those who choose to participate bring a brand new toy in a box.

The Hi-Ho Lounge kindly threw open her doors, arranged musicians, set up local crafts-people to help and NoLA Rising brought the art from the IYTI family of artists (that can be found on Flickr - link below), from the NoLA Rising family of artists and from local artists who dropped by throughout the day to drop off both toys and art. To all of them, we are eternally grateful for the participation and the spirit of community that persists throughout. NoLA Rising would also like to thank all of the wonderful people who brought toys and participated, bringing in 185 toys!

That's right...185 toys for donation! If you weren't able to make it out, we hope that you find your own way of giving this holiday seas. Again, we thank everyone for their continued support of NoLA Rising and the New Orleans community. Together, we can make the cultural renaissance flourish!

Some scenes from the IYTI:

Author Mark Folse

Visiting Celebrity Architects

The beautiful and delightful DJ SoulSister

The Indelible Pat Jolly

More pics can be found HERE

ITS YOURS, TAKE IT

NoLA Rising Toys for Tots Exchange (Sat., Dec 11th at the Hi-Ho) - It's Yours, Take It

2010-12-10T12:18:00.000-08:00

This Saturday, December 11th, NoLA Rising presents its fourth IT'S YOURS, TAKE IT at the Hi-Ho (2239 Saint Claude Avenue) in the St. Claude Arts District from 12-6. Annually, the folks at NoLA Rising and the artists who support their endeavors, donate artwork to give away to community members who bring a brand new toy in a box to donate to the USMC's Toys for Tots Program.

The artists come from all backgrounds and genres and are local and international artists who believe that artwork can make an impact on a community in many ways. This is one such way. NoLA Rising would like to thank all of the artists for their support and participation and is always thankful to the New Orleans community.

See y'all on Saturday!

For more information on It's Your's, Take It online community that supports art giveaways and to see a variety of the work donated to the function:
It's Yours, Take It

How to Rebuild a City... (a field guide from a work in progress)

2010-11-29T11:43:00.000-08:00

This Thursday, NoLA Rising is proud to celebrate a book release for How To Rebuild a City: Field Guide from a Work in Progress published by Press Street and edited by Anne Gisleson and Tristan Thompson with proceeds to benefit Rebuilding Together New Orleans.

Those of us from New Orleans that have traveled the strange and sometimes sad road of a city's recovery know all too well the steps we've taken, but this is a perfect guide for those who may follow...for cities that may one day face the same dark tragedy. New Orleans is a resilient and beautiful city that is proud to wear her scars on her sleeve. Consider this book an offering...not of what tragedies we had to overcome, but of what we pulled together and accomplished despite of tragedy.

For those of you who can't make it out, the book will still be available at Beth's Books. For those of you who won't willingly cross Canal Street ;), you can also find the book at the Garden District Bookshop located at the corner of Prytania and Washington.

Hope to see y'all out there and I've put below further information about the book,

Rex
NoLA Rising

More information:

With contributions and collaboration from over 100 residents, writers, photographers, artists, and community organizations from New Orleans (and beyond) who kickstarted the recovery process, How to Rebuild a City: Field Guide from a Work in Progress presents the post-disaster landscape from the perspectives of those who are navigating their way through it.

Beautifully designed, sometimes fun, always informative, How to Rebuild a City is a reflection of the many ways that New Orleanians have realized our way towards recovery, actively and creatively engaging with our communities. The book also serves as a primer of sorts for those who may encounter the post-disaster lifestyle wherever they live. Filled with advice, know-how and citizens sharing their stories of how they put the pieces back together, How to Rebuild a City celebrates the collective spirit of New Orleans as the city moves beyond crisis and into a brighter, safer and stronger future.

How to Rebuild a City: Field Guide from a Work in Progress
Editors: Anne Gisleson & Tristan Thompson
Designer: Catherine Burke
$20, paperback, 152 pages, full-color, 8.25” x 6.25”.
ISBN 978-0-9777681-5-8, published by Press Street, 2010.

Proceeds to benefit Rebuilding Together New Orleans (rtno.org)

To see the event on Facebook

What: Book release party for How To Rebuild a City: Field Guide from a Work in Progress
When: December 2nd, 6:00 – 8:00pm
Where: Beth’s Books/Sound Café, 2700 Chartres Street (at Port St.), New Orleans, La. 70117

Happy Gobble Gobble Turkey Day

2010-11-25T07:17:00.001-08:00

From NoLA Rising to you...Happy Gobble Gobble Turkey Day. On behalf of us at NoLA Rising, we are grateful for the people of New Orleans and all the wonderful things you do!

IT'S YOURS, TAKE IT - NoLA 4 (Four / quattro / τέσσερις / أربعة / quatre / cztery / четыре / cuatro / 4)

2010-11-02T17:00:00.000-07:00

IT'S YOURS, TAKE IT - NoLA 4 (Four / quattro / τέσσερις / أربعة / quatre / cztery / четыре / cuatro / 4)

NoLA Rising is making a call for art for It’s Yours, Take It (NoLA 4)

NoLA Rising has a long history of distributing artwork at no cost to the New Orleans area. After hurricane Katrina, it was a guiding mission of Rex to replace street signs and paint signs of hope for those who had returned to the city. One person made a movement of dozens of artists. We continue that theme with giving away donated artwork for this holiday season...

For the fourth installment of New Orleans’ It’s Yours, Take it, Rex would like to continue the practice of a holiday art swap. For the third year in a row, artwork has been created and sent in for a toy for art swap to raise toys for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. The premise is simple: Someone brings a brand new toy in a box to donate to children and they get to take a piece of art with them. The toys are then donated to the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program for their annual distribution.

Last year, we again had well over 120 toys donated for the cause and had a small garrison of Marines there to support the cause.

As always, I encourage free and open themes for the work to allow you the freedom to work as you wish.

This year, the work deadline will be Wednesday, December 8th. As of now, plans for where we’ll have the artwork are still not set. Trying to line up something in the next week. Worst-case scenario, I set up shop in the French Quarter and show people how we do it!

Anyone interested, pls add your name and email me at:
[ nolarising504 @ gmail.com ]

Again, huge thanks to everyone who’s made this a fun experience over the last few rounds…It's been a great way to give back to the community on a number of levels.

For more information, pls click here: IT'S YOURS, TAKE IT - NoLA 4 (Four / quattro / τέσσερις / أربعة / quatre / cztery / четыре / cuatro / 4)

One question I'd like answered...it's been far too long

2010-08-17T21:56:00.001-07:00

One question I'd like answered...it's been far too long, originally uploaded by dingler1109.

Has it been almost two years? And yet, no answers, no good leads, no conclusions, no arrests and no prosecutions...

There's a man out there in the Bywater who must know the truth...

If you know anything about the murder of Jessica Hawk, I encourage you to come forward.

NoLA Rising Announces Limited Edition T-Shirt Designed by E. Diaz

2010-07-30T20:03:00.000-07:00

The new matryoshka shirt designed by E. Diaz
...Currently only available at Fun Rock'n. Available for $25 plus shipping.

{No longer available online - Available at Fun Rock'n while supplies last}

Fun Rock'n : http://www.funrockn.com/

THIS IS NOT AN AD

2010-06-20T21:44:00.001-07:00

THIS IS NOT AN AD, originally uploaded by jerm IX.

by Jerm IX

Fishing Closures

2010-05-28T17:52:00.001-07:00

Fishing closures, originally uploaded by Karen Apricot New Orleans.

Just a small section of the Gulf of Mexico closed to fishing...it's only like the size of GREECE

FYYFF!

Jen LeBlanc does Digital Graffiti...

2010-04-30T18:01:00.000-07:00

Art student and Professional photographer Jen LeBlanc took to the campus of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge to show one of her latest projects...Digital Graffiti. With the help of a projector, Jen set up a draw pad and a projector and let people go to town.

Projection art is one of the developing ways that artists are able to manipulate their environment for interactive exhibitions. Naturally, some of the folks for NoLA Rising had to go up and check this out.

DESIGN A T-SHIRT for NoLA RISING

2010-04-15T13:21:00.000-07:00

Hey there folks-

As you know, NoLA Rising likes making t-shirts to further our cause of raising funds. You might want to say that an organization like ours can't live on t-shirts alone. Well, no, it can't and it doesn't, BUT t-shirts are still fun and functional.

So, we were sitting around drinking our favorite refreshing beverages talking about what our next design should be and thought it'd be better to let the vast talent out there design our next t-shirt or two. We're thinking a one to two color design that prominently shows the words "NOLA RISING" and has our custom fleur de lis on it...

We're going to keep our regular logo design shirt, but figured as an arts organization, we needed something different. So, this is how we're going to run this get-up: (1) You design a t-shirt however the hell you want with the above parameters; (2) You send it to me at nolarising504 [AT] Gmail; (3) Me and mine take a look at it and say "hey, that's f'n cool"; (4) We pick your design and make t-shirts.

Now your asking yourself, "well, what the hell do I get out of this besides putting my talent into something for y'all to make money off of, jerkfaces?" Well, we're only going to do a limited run of 50-100 shirts per design, so it's not like we're getting rich (we do this for fun). But, we're also not cheap bastards either and would like to hook ya up. What we thought was that we could give you a hundred bucks and three t-shirts for your design. On top of that, you'll have our undying love and gratitude.

How does that sound? Hit us up with a design. We'll be picking more than one design and we'll let you know when we're going to run the shirt so we can get yours to you.

For Rex's FLEUR DE LIS design, CLICK HERE

P.S. They'll be made locally right here in the 504 from our friends at INKWELL PRESS!

Some changes coming our way...

2010-03-17T08:58:00.000-07:00

Howdy Everyone-

As many folks hitting the blog know, NoLA Rising has been in the process of transforming to a federally recognized 501(c)3. With that comes changes in how NoLA Rising is recognized, the functions we are able to accomplish with group we've been organized with in the past, and the way we have to now proceed with conducting ourselves acordingly. It's taken us some time to get our ducks in a row and we are finally finishing up the last course of paperwork to accomplish that goal.

One such change is stream-lining what is appropriate for our stated goal. To do that takes a little cleaning up some of the blog information and removing things that were personal projects of Rex. Ah, the joys of taking a grassroots group into the cold grips of an organization.

For those of you who want to follow the antics of Rex, you can find his own (not officially related) personal blog now at http://rexdingler.blogspot.com . Some of the old posts that you may be looking for in the future can also be found over there.

With that, thanks for your years of support as we go forward with a comprehensive mural program for New Orleans and her surrounding areas.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

INSPIRE - "Students Of Life" Wall

2010-03-02T19:38:00.001-08:00

INSPIRE - "Students Of Life" Wall, originally uploaded by ! INSPIRE !.

Joe Iurato :01 reps with his NoLA Rising shirt

2010-02-22T23:29:00.001-08:00

Joe Iurato :01 reps with his NoLA Rising shirt, originally uploaded by dingler1109.

Starhead in a NoLA Rising T...

2010-02-14T14:23:00.001-08:00

this cat fucking rules!, originally uploaded by starheadboy.

NoLA Rising T-Shirt Captured by LIFE Photographer

2010-02-09T12:10:00.001-08:00

Joe Iurato does it again ... :01 // SPRAY FOR HAITI

2010-01-18T16:55:00.000-08:00

Like many of you, I was here in New Orleans through some of the worst conditions I've ever experienced. When such insurmountable tragedies occur, I feel it my obligation to figure out a way to do something. My own personal history has taught me that I owe that much to humanity to reciprocate the kindness I received as a New Orleanian. Sometimes it is easier to turn on the television and go about our seemingly happy lives, but that doesn't change the harsh reality that exists out there beyond the tube.

For too long Haiti has been allowed to live in squalor as a debtor island to foreign powers and has been treated as an inconsequential piece of world politics. But this tragedy isn't about politics, it's about man's ability to care for humanity. It's about reaching down inside yourself and pulling out the most caring part of you and helping where you can. Caring transcends borders, economic divide and racial boundaries.

Right now, all the widgets and iPhones in the world aren't going to revive the lost or rebuild the destroyed, but a well placed donation can keep the supply lines flowing to those who need it the most. Times are tough and the economy sucks right now, but you have it a helluva lot better than anyone in Port Au Prince today. Ask yourself, what can you do to help.

Joe Iurato, a friend and brother to NoLA Rising, has taken his skills as an emerging (and amazing) stencil artist and made two prints to benefit UNICEF in Haiti. He didn't ask for you to pay him for the prints, but that those who received the email, to pay UNICEF directly through their website and send him confirmation. Joe would then send the print to you.

Due to the way Joe cut the first stencil (as seen above), there was only 10 available and those sold out in three minutes...first come, first served. He had mentioned that he'd do another round. He did an edition of twenty (as seen below) 12" x 18", 7 layer hand cut stencils spray painted on a heavy card stock, based on an image he's painted on the streets. It's a smaller, more detailed version.

Before Joe could release the print in the same manner as he had done before, he received an email from a buyer he's worked with in the past wanting the previous (#1) version. He told the buyer it had sold out, but that the 2nd was in the works. The buyer then asked if he could purchase all 20 paintings for $3,000. Joe then received confirmation that the donation had gone through to UNICEF and again, a goal achieved and this time it exceeded expectations.

However, while the release is officially sold out, the buyer of all 20 pieces asked Joe to only send one and re-sell the remaining 19 on his behalf under the same UNICEF stipulation. The catch, the original buyer is to remain anonymous. With the re-selling of the other 19 prints that will be even more money dedicated to UNICEF.

I applaud Joe Iurato and his anonymous buyer for stepping up in this time to assist the people of Haiti. It's exceptionally hard in our current economy to justify expenses for artwork, but it's hardly acceptable to sit idly by and do nothing. Joe has selflessly given his talent to support a recognized program that works to aid the children of Haiti during this amazing time. It's this style of giving that NoLA Rising has long honored and I am proud to see that one person is willing to stand up and make a difference... That one person can now be you.

For more information, click on UNICEF

For more information on that :01 second of your life that'll make a difference, CLICK HERE

Artists Michael Manjarris and Peter Lundberg describe their New Orleans sculpture park project.

2010-01-16T11:41:00.000-08:00

Doug MacCash from the Times-Picayune interviews artists Michael Manjarris and Peter Lundberg on their New Orleans sculpture park project...

Sculpture For New Orleans 2010

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

2009-12-25T15:03:00.000-08:00

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Tonight, I teach my daughters how to make and cut stencils...Ten to fifteen years, I expect them to do good things with these skills...

Hope the holidays have been good to everyone,

The Crew at N.R.

NoLA Rising Toys for Tots Reminder! THIS FRIDAY...

2009-12-09T04:48:00.000-08:00

This Friday, NoLA Rising, in cooperatation with the United States Marine Corps and the Tipitina's Foundation, is hosting a Toys for Tots toy drive at the Uptown Tipitina's...

From 11 a.m. until... we will continue to trade you a piece of artwork for a brand new toy in a box. Once we run out of art, that'll be it...though the lovely Crista Rock will be on sight to paint while the event is going on. If you're an artist living in New Orleans, we'll gladly accept a donation the day of too...

Come join us and help us celebrate!!!

NoLA Rising Teams With Tipitina's and the US Marine Corps for Toys for Tots IYTI Art Exchange

2009-11-27T07:48:00.000-08:00

NoLA Rising announces it's Second Annual Toy Drive for the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program. In coordination with It's Yours, Take It (an online Flickr group/collaboration), NoLA Rising has teamed with the Soul Rebels and DJ SoulSister for a SoulGlo Christmas Jam at Tipitina's.

On Friday, December 11th, from 11 a.m. until whenever, we will have art available to swap you for a brand new (unwrapped) toy in a box. Now, this is while art supplies last. Come by Tipitina's Uptown at 501 Napoleon Avenue throughout the day...or come by that night for the SoulGlo Christmas Jam...

We'll see you there!

For more information on It's Yours, Take It, see HERE

Artist Inc participating in New Orleans Fringe Festival

2009-11-12T10:43:00.000-08:00

Artist Inc. participates with the New Orleans Fringe Festival with
Un Route ~ an old fashioned, new world, troubadours rolling into town show.
A variety of artists gather for a multimedia, cabaret, performance art extravaganza ~ including theater, dance, film, circus, music, burlesque, magic, fire, visual art installations, audience participation and a throw down party!

Un Route, produced by Artist Inc, in participation with the New Orleans Fringe Festival, sponsored by Michalopoulos, Old New Orleans Rum, Abita Beer, Lucid Absinthe and the Faubourg Marigny Improvement Association, will be presented on November 14th, doors open at 9pm so audiences may view the visual art installations before the show starts, show begins at 10pm, at the Michalopoulos Studio, 527 Elysian Fields between Charters and Decatur streets.

Tickets are only $7, plus $3 Fringe Fest button.

For more information on the full Fringe Fest line-up, see http://www.artistinc.org/events.html

NoLA Rising's Fall Schedule of Events...

2009-10-22T18:12:00.000-07:00

CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO SEE IT LARGER...

ARTOBERFEST! at National Art and Hobby!

2009-10-19T15:16:00.000-07:00

National Art and Hobby, Deutsches Haus, and NoLA Rising team up to raise money for Children's Hospital of New Orleans.

On Saturday, October 24th, National Art and Hobby will have a block party on the Eleonore side of the business with food and drinks and a live art demonstration.

All proceeds from the art store that day will go to support our local Children's Hospital.

Please join us on Saturday, October 24th, 2009, 2pm-5pm
Usual Business hours for National Art and Hobby 10 am - 530 pm

5835 Magazine Street

CERAMICS WORKSHOPS AT LOUISIANA ARTWORKS

2009-10-14T11:24:00.000-07:00

CERAMICS WORKSHOPS AT LOUISIANA ARTWORKS
Tile Mural Ceramics Workshop
Instructor Sierra Kay
Fee: $250
October 17th, 10 AM-2 PM; 20th, 6-9 PM; 22nd, 6-9 PM; 24th, 10 AM-2 PM; 29th, 6-9 PM.

Tile Murals. Tiles don't have to be square! Learn basic ceramic techniques while turning one of your paintings or photos into jig-saw style tiles. Create your own kitchen back-splash or mural sure to be the focal point of any room.

Workshops take place at Louisiana ArtWorks, 725 Howard Avenue at Carondelet. Please call the office at 504.571.7373 to enroll.

Cancellation policy for workshops: Student must notify Louisiana ArtWorks a minimum of three days in advance of the workshop in order to receive a full refund. A refund of 50% will be given for cancellation 2 days in advance.

Ceramics Membership

Ceramics shop Membership through which members may use the shop for independent work is now available at Louisiana ArtWorks. Please call the office for details.

Louisiana ArtWorks
818 Howard Avenue, Suite 500
New Orleans, LA 70113
T: 504.571.7373
F: 504.571.7368
info@louisianaartworks.org
www.louisianaartworks.org

It's Yours, Take It Call for Art for NoLA Rising Toys for Tots drive

2009-10-12T21:38:00.000-07:00

NoLA Rising is making a call for art for It's Yours, Take It, NoLA 3

In the past, we've done an on the street IYTI for general passers-by and an indoor IYTI intended to raise toys for the last holiday season. This year, we'd like to continue that tone and have an IYTI where people can bring brand new toys in a box for a piece of art. The toys will then be donated to the Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program for their annual toy distribution.

I encourage a free and open theme to allow you the freedom to work as you wish, so no set themes

This year, the work deadline will be Monday, December 7th because I plan on holding the open air event on December 11th in collaboration with a music show expecting high attendance. The music will be by the SoulRebels and DJ SoulSister at Tipitina's.

We'll be holding a paint party at Fringe Festival in the side yard at XO Studios (2833 Dauphine) on November 15th to add to the collection for the toy drive!

Anyone interested, pls email me...

Thanks for helping to make another successful IYTI!

For more info, see FLICKR GROUP IYTI

Elysian Fleas presented by Artist Inc - October 11th

2009-10-08T09:27:00.000-07:00

Elysian Fleas Brings Magic (& a Magician) to New Marigny Market

October 11 debut spotlights creative Halloweenery, Oktoberfest oom-pah-pahs, a sleight-of-mind street magician, string troubadours and plenty of fab vintage bargains & art...

Great news, vintage mavens and NOLA arts appreciators! A new outdoor market with old world charm is opening in the heart of Faubourg Marigny, where Elysian Fleas offers a spicy New Orleans mix of vintage merch, upcycled fashions, fine jewelry, arts and crafts; delicious food and drink; and outrageous live entertainment.

Presented by Artist Inc, and sponsored by Old New Orleans Rum, Abita Beer and the Faubourg Marigny Improvement Association, Elysian Fleas launches October 11 in the shady, tree-lined courtyard next to Michalopoulos Studio at 527 Elysian Fields on the corner of Chartres St. Hours are 11 am to 5 pm.

Miss Claudia and her Biergartners roll out the barrel to celebrate Oktoberfest at the debut market, which also features the sleight-of-mind illusions of street magician Mark Faulkner and the old-timey string music of wandering troubadours The Picklers with Tom Marron and Daron Douglas.

With Halloween on the horizon, seasonal spirits will also be out in force. Shoppers can play dress-up with one-of-a-kind costumes, masks and headdresses from High Bohemia, Howlpop, Avant Garbe, New Orleans Masks, Ann Marie Popko and other fashionistas, including Cree-ations' 2009 line of Vampire Cocktail Couture.

Organized by flea queen Cree McCree, author of Flea Market America, Elysian Fleas features vendors selling everything from used & rare books, antique furniture and retro-chic clothes to second line umbrellas, urban folk art and handmade soaps.

Shoppers can get their nosh on with sweet & spicy pecans, homemade ice cream and Beaucoup NOLA snowballs; sip hand-pressed Cane Elysée sugar cane juice spiked with Old New Orleans Rum; and chase Woody's famous fish tacos with a cold Abita beer. Also on the menu: Moroccan cuisine, Crepes a la Carte and spicy XXX Catering.

"I'm really excited to have all these terrific creative people, vintage vendors and outdoor chefs in the same spot," says McCree, whose local career dates back to the legendary Mermaid Flea Market. "We couldn't ask for a better location, which allows us to draw in tourists as well as locals. And the funky mix of merch is perfect for the Marigny."

So is the funky mix of live entertainment.

"The old world European village flea markets are the inspiration behind Elysian Fleas," says Artist Inc.'s Reese Johanson, who runs the Salon and Un Route cabaret at the Blue Nile. "Merchants and buvette (food and drink area), yes of course, but it wouldn’t be complete without the colorful troubadours rolling through to entertain the villagers."

Elysian Fleas continues with holiday markets on November 21 and December 19. Hours are 11 am to 5 pm.

For more information, and to inquire about vending, contact creemccree @ gmail.com

Barrister's Gallery - Opening October 10th 6-9 p.m.

2009-10-06T01:54:00.000-07:00

This Fall at Barrister's Gallery on St Claude, internationally respected curator, Anne Marie Grgich, brings together a range of artists from New Orleans, the United States, and overseas... each of them visionaries, who have managed to endow the common with a sense of the strange, the mystical, the timeless, and the esoteric...

Cuban born artist Rafael Arzuaga presents subliminal imagery combined with archetypal symbolism through paintings that source from an African tradition, while Ecuadorian born New Orleans native, José Torres-Tama, explores social themes, the current state of war, and the struggle for spiritual concerns through mixed-media drawings.

San Francisco painter Tania Seabock endows her pieces with the patina of aged classicism through her fabulous faux-decorative approach. Fine art and documentary photographer, Craig Morse, liberates slivers of culture and environs overlooked or unseen from the years immediately following Hurricane Katrina, and through vibrant black and white and color photographs, New Orleans born Robin Walker pries open swollen windows and doors, shouting in from the streets, "This is my New Orleans!"

Barrister's brings the works of Hartmut Eing from Germany, Marcus Mårtenson from Stockholm Sweden. Damian and Delaine LeBas of London, and artist Robert Collison SF who turned curbside cardboard into dogs. Suzane Beaubrun SF builds knick knacks into pigeons. The McMartin Brothers Photaculars have an eye for beauty and the strange.

The artists take common objects that have always surrounded us and charge them with almost supernatural qualities.

Perhaps these things aren’t usually seen as art and will create an element of surprise in the viewer. The playfulness of these artists transforms discards into deeply meaningful objects. There is a kind of saving grace in this action. The rejected materials are here treated with respect, resurrected with a new sense of beauty and pride. This has always been the real challenge for the artist. To create beauty where there is pain and bring forth order out of chaos. And there is no better town for a show like this than New Orleans.

2009 by Anne Grgich with Marcus Mårtenson and Craig Morse.

FOLK MAGIC ARTISTS:

Rafael Arzuaga
Lauren Atkinson and Donald Green
Suzane Beaubrun
Robert Collison
Hartmut Eing Courtesy of Galerie Hamer
Noah Erenberg
Charlie Foster
Anne Marie Grgich
Larissa Hammond
Lonnie Holley
Danielle Jacqui
Damian and Delaine Lebas
Kurtiss Lofstrom
Kandace Manning
Marcus Mårtenson
The McMartin Brothers Photaculars
Craig Morse
Robin Oliver
Cassandra Rockwood-Rice
Tania Seabock-artequation
Dave Seehausen
Elena Mary Siff
Jose Torres-Tama
Robin Walker
Della Wells

As well as featuring artists from Portland's Cannibals' Gallery.

Go to scadnola.com for more events on St Claude Ave.

Barrister's 2331 St Claude Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70117
GET MAP HERE

Peyton Manning by Joe Iurato

2009-09-27T22:03:00.001-07:00

Peyton (Commission)
Originally uploaded by .joe.

Peyton Manning may not play for the Saints, but he's still one of New Orleans' favorite sons. Joe Iurato has done an amazing commission of Peyton. Enjoy!

NOZERO "NO APOLOGY" solo show TONIGHT

2009-09-05T11:12:00.001-07:00

Tony Nozero has been making the rounds lately and the folks here at NoLA Rising are glad to see him at one of our favorite new venues, Coup d'oeil Art Consortium on Magazine Street (almost right across from Juan's Flying Burrito). Come join us!. See y'all tonight at Tony's show...7 pm...

ReX
NoLA Rising

The Magnificent Seven - Galerie Gigi

2009-09-04T09:38:00.000-07:00

The Magnificent Seven at Galerie Gigi, Saturday, September 5th at 6 p.m.

"The Magnificent 7 features New Orleans Artists who articulate figurative relations in their work", explains curator Terrence Sanders. "New Orleans has a strong tradition of draftsman who are rooted in the practice of drawing and painting. These young draftsman featured in this exhibition are the not so distant cousins of Dali, Van Gogh, Basquiat, and even Alex Katz." While the figure is a powerful tool for the artists, each piece articulates its message through a diverse range of techniques and processes. "New Orleans is fast growing into a Contemporary Art hub" explains Sanders, "but will never in my opinion lose it's influence on new painters that explore the representational aspects of the human figure."

The artists include Blaine Capone, Colin Meneghini, Anthony Carriere, Tony Nozero, Bruce Davenport, Steve Soltis and Chad Moore.

WHO: Group exhibition featuring 7 local artists
WHAT: "The Magnificent 7" art exhibition
WHEN: September 5th - October 1st, Opening Reception Sept. 5th at 6PM
WHERE: Galerie Gigi, 627 St. Peter (In the Quarter between Royal and Chartres)

For more info, pls CLICK HERE

SQUID INVASIONS by ANNIE WALKER

2009-09-03T20:18:00.000-07:00

Annie Walker exhibits her Squid Invasions at Cafe Envie for the month of September with an opening this Saturday (September 5th) at 8 p.m.

Cafe Envie is at 1241 Decatur in the L. French Quarter

Silent Dynamism - Works by Karina Wisniewska

2009-08-28T08:59:00.000-07:00

SILENT DYNAMISM

Paintings by Karina Wisniewska

Please join us for a reception with the artist

Saturday, August 29, 6 - 8 pm

"Can stillness be moving? Doesn't stillness just remain still? Restful and at rest. The companions of silence are immutability, the eternal, the echoless. But even if silence is in motion, as in the pictures of Karina Wisniewska, order never runs out of control. When the body of silence flows, its tissue stretches and breathes; as its structure calls forth a resonance, it can sound a hum. Like cells of a honeycomb. Like the wind when it strokes the beach and the sand corrugates, these panels conquer space and form a body of work obeying its own laws in an equilibrium of stillness and movement."

Karina Wisniewska was formally trained in both classical music, as well as fine arts in Austria and Switzerland. After an ill-fated accident ended her career as an established concert pianist, Wisniewska turned to painting with quartz sand as a means for the visual expression of rhythm and musicality.

Wisniewska's work can be found in the UBS collection in Zurich, Switzerland, the Musee Abbatiale de Payerne, Switzerland and in numerous established private collections. The paintings have also been presented at Art Basel Miami, Art Cologne, ArteFiera Bologna, Scope New York, Art Dubai and Art Shanghai among others.

Karina Wisniewska's paintings will be on display
from August 29 - October 2, 2009

Octavia Art Gallery is located at 4532 Magazine Street. Hours are Tuesday - Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm or by appointment. For more information, contact 504-309-4249, art@octaviaartgallery.com or visit www.octaviaartgallery.com

LIGHTSURFING by MARRUS, This Thursday at PRAVDA

2009-08-26T05:47:00.000-07:00

When I first met MARRUS, I came to the startling conclusion that I was not meeting an ordinary woman. An amazing talent in most every avenue that I've been able to determine, MARRUS wows me with her first book. It's not just an art book, but a book about the journey from point A to point F'n A. It's about forging your path through the journey of life and being a success at it, being happy with it and loving the nuances that made the journey what it was.

This Thursday night at PRAVDA in the French Quarter...details below...

MORE ABOUT THE BOOK:

"Lightsurfing: Living Life in the Front of My Mouth" is an anecdotal, illustrated, autobiographical journey of what it takes to carve your own path in the world, make a living at it, and all the wild, weird, and whack things that happen as a result.

"Lightsurfing" is 186, full-color, 7x10" pages full of paintings & the nascent sketches that inspired them. There are skinned deer and burned out buildings. There are some felonies, but the statute of limitations has run out, so the guilty are safe. There's sex & some kinky stuff, and hefty chunks of wisdom that Marrus hopes will inspire her tribe and mebbe stop some of the younger ones from making the dumb, fear-based mistakes she made.

Miz invited you to "LIGHTSURFING" on Thursday, August 27 at 7:30pm.

Event: My book is finally available!
"Come out, get a drink, buy a book, watch me freak out..."
What: Opening / Booksigning
Host: Miz Marrus
Start Time: Thursday, August 27 at 7:30pm
End Time: Thursday, August 27 at 11:00pm
Where: Pravda on Decatur in the French Quarter

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=120827743431&mid=fcc06eG296cb642G67c7d60G7

Lionel Milton launches new website

2009-08-16T23:36:00.000-07:00

Lionel Milton has launched a new website. Check out what work he's been up to.

WWW.LIONELMILTON.COM

WWW.LIONELMILTON.COM

AMMO presents work by LOREN SCHWERD

2009-08-12T22:13:00.000-07:00

The directors of AMMO are pleased to present an exhibition of works by Loren Schwerd, from her acclaimed series of hair sculptures, “Mourning

Portrait”. The exhibition opens on Saturday, August 15, with an opening reception from 6 -9pm, and will be on view at AMMO, located at 938 Royal

Street in the French Quarter, through September 16, 2009.

“Mourning Portrait” is a series of memorials to the communities of New Orleans that were devastated by the federal levee breaches following Hurricane Katrina. The sculptures are made of human and synthetic hair extensions and wigs that were discarded outside the St Claude Beauty Supply in the fall of 2005. The sculptures interpret many of the abandoned homes of the Ninth Ward.

Schwerd draws on the eighteenth- and nineteenth-century tradition of hairwork, in which family members or artisans would fashion the hair of the deceased into intricate jewelry and sentimental objects and memento mori. Hair serves as the essential metaphor of this exhibit, by evoking a sense of profound intimacy and absence.

Her sculptures portay individual residences, many of which are no longer standing. Collectively, Mourning Portrait venerates the less of entire neighborhoods and communities. Schwerd’s “Mourning Portrait” series was featured on the cover of the November 2008 FiberArts Magazine, and has toured extensively in the United States.

FOR A SNEAK PEAK OF THE SHOW: CLICK HERE

Zack Smith on White Linen Night

2009-07-29T00:35:00.000-07:00

Photo of Noise Coalition

WHITE LINEN NIGHT 2009
Saturday, August 1st 6pm-9pm

Zack Smith - Portrait Project
Excerpts from the Voodoo Portraits and New Images

Zack Smith with be showing a selection from two ongoing portrait projects. After being disillusioned with the digital format and process, Smith discovered that the 4x5 view camera is a nice camera to get behind.

The Canary
329 Julia Street
NoLA

(Above Photo by Zack Smith)

Lessons Learned With Fists - Goodchildren Gallery - Sat., July 11th

2009-07-11T09:26:00.000-07:00

SATURDAY, July 11TH - 6-9 p.m.

LESSONS LEARNED WITH FISTS
Daphne Loney & Dan Tague

GoodChildren Gallery Opening
4037 St. Claude
Saturday, July 11th

Joe Iurato Sports the NoLA Rising message at WK Interact / Invader Show at Jonathan Levine Gallery

2009-06-29T21:43:00.000-07:00

ReX salutes Joe Iurato for sporting the NoLA Rising message
@
WK INTERACT / INVADER
JONATHAN LEVINE GALLERY
JUNE 27, 2009
NYC

(Photo by Joe Russo)

NoLA Rising T-Shirts are Available!!!

2009-06-27T11:51:00.000-07:00

NoLA Rising has just opened up to the online world the opportunity to buy NoLA Rising shirts to support the General Fund for NoLA Rising. As many of y'all know we have some fairly big goals set for the city. In the coming months, we'll continue to keep fresh designs to support the NoLA Rising in the various art projects designed to increase the quality of life in New Orleans through public art displays. Paypal link below...

p.s. we're new to the t-shirt aspect of things, so we'll be getting in our second shipment of sizes very soon...

Jonathan Blum Returns to Re-Paint a Mural

2009-06-22T03:26:00.000-07:00

Last month, Jonathan Blum returned to the Crescent City to re-paint a mural he painted in 1989. Now, there's more of a modern adaptation almost 19 years later. Jonathan used to live in the space with a friend of his that is a photographer.

The building is now home to friends of NoLA Rising, Rick and Deborah, who went through the permit procurement process to ensure that the ghastly ghost cannot illegally coat their artwork with his unsightly paint. Wanting to make sure everything was in order, the brought Joanthan down for Jazzfest and invited him to repaint his mural.

On May 2nd, 2009, they held a private party to unveil the new Rabbi that is entitled with a peace offering. Savvy news reporter Doug MacCash was on seen to do a Nola.Com video as seen below. Those of us at NoLA Rising applaud Rick, Deborah and Jonathan for brightening up the neighborhood! We could all use a little more color around New Orleans.

St. Roch Avenue mural

Herakut Show at Red Flagg - NEW YORK

2009-06-03T07:18:00.000-07:00

I love getting to see new artwork, but more than that, I love getting to see new artwork from artists that I think are amazing. So, on my last jaunt up to New York to visit Sarah, we hunted down the Red Flagg Gallery in Chelsea to see the Herakut show.

To see the show, check out the Red Flagg Gallery at 638 West 28th Street between 11th and 12th, Ny Ny - 207-522-1194 -

MAY 21 thru JULY 3

HERAKUT WEBSITE

Joe Iurato Show

2009-05-31T19:53:00.000-07:00

Rex and Joe Iurato

Last weekend, I had the chance to head up to Montclair, Jersey to meet Joe Iurato and check out his artwork. I found it an awesome collection of stencil work that had some amazing detail. In a field that is becoming more popular, Joe is indeed someone who could rapidly be an essential part of the stencil world.

It took a bit of adventure (and a little misadventure) for me and my two other Musketeers Sarah and Allison, but after a long cab ride after the train ride, we finally found it. Good times. For more art information on Joe without having to go on an adventure, check out THIS SITE after enjoying the pics.

My personal favorite

Check out here too

Click on the picture to see the full article

Wounded in Action: An Exhibition of Orthopaedic Advancements in Art

2009-05-25T11:54:00.000-07:00

Wounded in Action: An Exhibition of Orthopaedic Advancements in Art celebrates those heroes who have had orthopaedic injuries as a result of serving our country in war. From World War II to Korea to Viet Nam, from the Gulf War, to Afghanistan to Iraq, thousands of military troops serving the United States have had extreme and severe musculoskeletal injuries.

This exhibition also recognizes those orthopaedic surgeons who, throughout history, have risked their own safety to care for our troops, to save lives and limbs, to advance medical treatments, and to conduct research and learn from war in order to better treat those who sustain orthopaedic trauma.

Wartime experiences have changed the course of orthopaedics. The sheer numbers of the wounded; the opportunities to attempt bold new surgical treatments, the creation of hand, burn and amputation centers, fracture care, the use of new drugs and biologics, and the tremendous need for rehabilitation has challenged every medical professional, but particularly orthopaedic trauma surgeons.

As US military initiatives continue overseas, approximately 82% of war injuries involve the extremities. These injuries are often multiple and severe with the majority caused by improvised explosive devices (IEDs), rocket propelled grenades (RPGs), as well as various high velocity assault weapons.

Given the current conflicts in both Iraq and Afghanistan, there is a growing demand for increased medical research focused on veterans with multiple severely injured extremities. Now, more than ever, the medical and military communities need the ability to research innovative techniques to restore functionality to save injured extremities.

American troops injured in Iraq and Afghanistan are more likely to recover than those from any other war. Modern medical care can save troops whose injuries would have been fatal in previous wars.

The art in this exhibition will reflect what has been learned in trauma care throughout history that affects how trauma patients are treated today and the impact war injuries have on the lives of those injured, their families, and the doctors who treat them.

This Exhibition is a tribute to injured troops, civilians, and the orthopaedic surgeons who are caring and have cared for them as they served and/or serve our country in time of crisis.

Submissions will be accepted beginning May 15, 2009, and due October 15, 2009.

For more information, visit: WOUNDED IN ACTION

Joe Iurato - Solo Show at Cafe Eclectic

2009-05-22T01:00:00.000-07:00

Rex is excited to be able to get out of town and visit some of the folks who have supported NoLA Rising in the past. So, this Saturday night, Rex will bear royal greetings to :01

If you're in the area, come check out the show!

This Saturday, May 23rd, Joe Iurato presents his solo show at Cafe Eclectic between 5 & 9 p.m.

:01
Joe Iurato
Solo Show

CAFE ECLECTIC
400 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE
MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CHECK OUT STENCIL HISTORY X FOR JOE'S SHOW HERE

25% of all proceeds to go to Wine for Water non profit org

Save Our Schools NoLA Inaugural Shindig

2009-05-16T01:01:00.000-07:00

After stopping by the Kelly Israel Art House Benefit at the NooMoon Compound, c'mon past the Save Our Schools NoLA shindig and enjoy some music and entertainment. After both, there will be an after party at the SKULL CLUB.

Save Our Schools NOLA's Inaugural Shindig: "A COMMUNITY CELEBRATION OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS"

Date:
Saturday, May 16, 2009 from 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM (CT)

Location:
Federal Reserve Bank Ballroom
(The Security Center)
147 Carondelet Street
New Orleans, LA 70130

For more info, CLICK HERE

NoLA Rising plans a New Orleans mural

2009-05-10T07:17:00.000-07:00

A group of New Orleans art activists hopes to produce the nation's longest mural on a length of floodwall in the Lower 9th Ward.

The painting would stretch along the east side of the Industrial Canal from North Derbigny Street to Florida Avenue, bordering a neighborhood that suffered apocalyptic flooding when the wall gave way after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The plan: 65 artists would divide the concrete ribbon, each rendering a version of a New Orleans home, symbolically rebuilding a part of the city that is still largely empty. At 3,900 feet, the mural would outdistance the somewhat similar 2,754-foot Great Wall of Los Angeles.

All the mural-makers need is permission and money.

One of the goals, art activist Michael "Rex" Dingler said, is to improve the quality of life by discouraging graffiti.

"This is not going to be a graffiti wall, in no shape or form, " Dingler said. "There will be no graffiti style."

Dingler, a maritime shipping agent and former Marine, is an unlikely Crescent City counterculture icon. In the months after Katrina, he took it upon himself to replace lost street signs with colorful substitutes fashioned from storm debris. He and friends branched out, creating folksy wooden signs that read "smile, " "laugh, " "joy, " "sing, " "dance, " "keep the faith."

He called his self-styled public art project NoLA Rising.

Not everyone appreciated Dingler's street-level cheerleading. Anti-graffiti patrols painted over his placards and eventually he was fined $200 for illegally placing signs on telephone poles. Though Dingler says he's never taken to the streets with spray paint, he soon found himself a cause celebre among the city's pro-graffiti faction.

Instead of illegally posting artworks, Dingler began hosting paint parties where anyone could make NoLA Rising-style signs. Now he hopes to make the leap from small signs to one of the world's largest artworks.

He and a handful of friends have begun transforming NoLA Rising into an official public institution, forming a board of directors and applying for nonprofit, tax-exempt status so they can raise money for the mural they've dubbed the United Artist Front.

In April, the group auctioned 165 pieces of donated art (including works by notable graffiti artists) at the Old U.S. Mint, raising roughly $8,000 for the mural.

Next, Dingler says that NoLA Rising will seek the go-ahead from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and New Orleans City Council. NoLA Rising will select the artists but, he said, area residents may have a role in dictating the style and content of the painting.

Darlene Mosley, a lifelong resident whose home was flooded and who recently moved into one of Brad Pitt's "Make It Right" houses, has a view of the wall from her porch. Like others in the neighborhood, she offered guarded approval, so long as the mural doesn't depict anything "nasty, " as she put it.

"It would be nice to look at something different, " Mosley said. "There's nothing to look at over there now . . . the bridge and traffic and boats that pass by, that's it."

Jane Golden, executive director of the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, has overseen the creation of the 3,000 gigantic paintings that speckle that cityscape. Murals can be a social and economic boon, she said, adding that start-up projects should "be cognizant of capturing the voice of the community. . . . If you start with something great, it will lead to other projects."

Golden said that in the early days of the Philadelphia mural project, spray paint was not allowed, though many of the artists were one-time taggers.

Dingler said he accepts graffiti-style painting as a valid art form but he doubts spray painting will play a part in the mural, which he hopes will deter taggers.

Others, such as West Coast anti-graffiti crusader Randy Campbell, say graffiti artists will not avoid another artist's work.

"In the case of the murals in Los Angeles, many were artistic murals and had nothing to do with graffiti, and these got vandalized by taggers more than the graffiti-style murals did, " Campbell said via e-mail. "Vandals do not respect any property."

Dingler argues that a legitimate mural program might help break the tit-for-tat struggle that's taking place in New Orleans, in which graffiti tags are covered in gray paint by anti-graffiti activists.

If things work out as he hopes, the three-quarter-mile mural might lead to similar painting projects on other walls that ring the flood-prone city.

"We want a whole program for the whole city, " Dingler said, "given that we are a city of walls."

---
Except pulled from Nola.com and can be found at this LINK

New Website Launch - NOLA RISING . ORG

2009-05-07T16:21:00.000-07:00

Howdy Everyone!

NoLA Rising is proud to announce the launch of its new (& official) website created and designed exclusively by Lance @ HOUNDSTOOTH MEDIA:

WWW.NOLARISING.ORG

While the blog will still be a functional aspect of everyday news-sharing, the website will be the official page. Stay tuned for a bold new look on the blog as we update away on both sites.

We couldn't have made the website a reality without the technical genius of Lance Vargas at Houndstooth Media...check him out and get yourself a site...

And, as always, thanks for supporting NoLA Rising!

Students of NoLA Rising present Swamp Swap at Tulane University

2009-05-06T19:11:00.000-07:00

Moving out? Got stuff to get rid of? Wanna exchange your trash for treasures?

On Thursday, May 7th from 2-4:30pm, Students of NoLA Rising will be hosting Swamp Swap on Tulane University's UC Quad (McAlister Dr.).

The Swamp Swap is a community bartering event in which people can come and exchange anything: from goods like clothes, furniture, books, art, and food to services like tutoring, music lessons, and bike repair...even ideas!

Get creative! Anything can be brought and exchanged; the only catch is: NO MONEY!

This event is completely free and open to the community. (And if you can’t make it, don’t worry. There will be more Swamp Swaps to come...)

...Because community matters!!!

NoLA Rising :: U.S. Mint Show

2009-04-27T19:12:00.000-07:00

Firstly, NoLA Rising would like to thank the Louisiana State Museum system and the staff at the Old U.S. Mint at 400 Esplanade Avenue. Without your support in our cause and the belief that art does make a difference in the daily lives of our citizenry, we couldn't have had such a wonderful space.

Next, we'd like to thank our dedicated group of volunteers who gave their time and effort to helping us produce a well-executed and highly successful show. Without them, we'd have been like a bunch of chickens running around with our heads cut off.

And then, without the vast support of the artists who have supported us, from New Orleans and from across the world, we surely could not have made this happen. Without a doubt, I am honored and deeply touched by the support that has constantly been shown to myself and NoLA Rising from amazing artists of all calibers. Our continued solidarity not only makes our ability to showcase emerging artists, but strengthens the community of artists who believe in ideals that are greater than the individual. I am thankful that your artistic efforts allow us to build the framework for a more beautiful New Orleans.

To all who came out and supported us, and those who supported us leading up to the event, and those who will continue to support us, let is be shown that a small group of dedicated people are accomplishing great things for a noble cause.

ReX salutes you all!

Now for a few pics from the show:

CONO & ReX collaboration

Mia Kaplan

Flowerguy

Tony Nozero

Joe Iurato

Real Abstract

Thanks to everyone yet again!!!

NoLA Rising Would like to Thank Business Supporters of the United Artist Front Show

2009-04-26T19:57:00.000-07:00

A special thank you to these businesses that helped make NoLA Rising's U.S. Mint Show a great success:

The U.S. Mint ( a Louisiana State Museum )

Whole Foods
Glazer Distributors
Coffee Roasters
Coffea
CC's Coffee
Lento & Associates
We Three Kings
Eye Candy Tattoo
Electric Ladyland on Frenchman
Tomatillo's
Mona's
Squeel BBQ
Michael's Bike Shop
Lucky You Candy Company
Slice
&
Juan's Flying Burrito

NoLA Rising at the U.S. Mint

2009-04-25T08:16:00.000-07:00

APRIL 25th, 2009

Today is the final day of bidding at the Silent Art Auction being hosted by NoLA Rising to benefit the United Artist Front Mural Arts Program. Bidding closes at 3 p.m.

Up for an auction is an authenticated BANKSY donated from private sources close to the NoLA Rising Family

Here are some quick snaps from the set-up for the show:

Banksy Piece for the NoLA Rising Art Auction

2009-04-23T10:49:00.001-07:00

Flickr Pics of the U.S. Mint Show

2009-04-22T14:24:00.000-07:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nolarisingproject/sets/72157616563021529/

Sorry Folks that I couldn't keep up with the individual posting. Been hectic at work and been hectic at gearing up for the show. So as not to deprive anyone, I wanted to post the flickr link to the show we're having at the U.S. Mint so that folks could get an advance peek at some of the pieces we have available. Hope to see y'all there...

ReX

United Artist Front - New Orleans Mural Arts Program (Turducken)

2009-04-16T01:26:00.000-07:00

Works donated to the U.S. Mint Show by Turducken:

United Artist Front - New Orleans Mural Arts Program (Melissa Levine)

2009-04-15T07:18:00.000-07:00

Artist Melissa Levine gives generously to the cause with four oil paintings (three shown):

United Artist Front - New Orleans Mural Arts Program (Cherie Langford)

2009-04-15T01:01:00.000-07:00

Cherie Langford Gives to the cause while adding NoLA Rising art to her art! Check the details below:

United Artist Front _ New Orleans Mural Arts Program (Stephanie Stallmer)

2009-04-14T23:24:00.000-07:00

Artwork by Stephanie Stallmer

United Artist Front - New Orleans Mural Arts Program (Joan Davis)

2009-04-14T07:15:00.000-07:00

Joan Davis of Philadelphia answered the call to artist by donating the following watercolors to the fundraiser:

United Artist Front - New Orleans Mural Arts Program (Tony Nozero)

2009-04-13T23:13:00.000-07:00

Tony Nozero answered the call this past weekend with this piece:

Artists want to turn floodwall into mirror of local homes

2009-04-13T11:31:00.000-07:00

Mural would depict city's shotgun houses
Friday, April 10, 2009 By Sheila Grissett / East Jefferson bureau

A New Orleans public art group asked regional levee commissioners Thursday to let 65 local artists paint shotgun houses on an Industrial Canal floodwall to help rejuvenate the Lower 9th Ward.

Graffiti eradicator Fred Radtke opposes the proposal.

The nonprofit community group NoLA Rising told a committee meeting of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East that it wants to paint 3,900 feet of floodwall visible from the neighborhood.

"This would be a controlled project. You'd get to approve the (art) in advance," organization President Michael "Rex" Dingler said. "It's a wall that deserves a great deal of respect . . . because of those who died."

The site is where the floodwall breached during Hurricane Katrina, destroying the surrounding neighborhood.

Radtke warned the authority's Operations Committee that granting the arts request would open a Pandora's box.

"You cannot control this project . . . in this city," he said, saying that the amount of graffiti has tripled at other local mural sites in the past several years.

"It's out of control here because the city's out of control," Radtke said. "There's no quality of life here."

Two committee members voiced strong support for the concept. "I just got back from Europe, where everywhere you go there's artwork," commissioner Stephen Estopinal said. "And New Orleans is an art town."

Commissioner George Losonsky compared Radke's objections to banning cars to try and stop drive-by shootings.

"I don't buy that," he said, supporting Estopinol's recommendation that the board discuss the matter with the Army Corps of Engineers.

If the project is done, Dingler and his associates said it would be the longest mural of its kind in the United States, larger even than the 2,754-foot "Great Wall of Los Angeles," which is the current record-holder painted with corps permission on a federal floodwall in California starting in 1976.

. . . . . . .

Sheila Grissett can be reached at sgrissett@timespicayune.com or 504.717.7700.

http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/metro/index.ssf?/base/news-34/1239340894151640.xml&coll=1

----------
AS A POINT OF REFERENCE, there are some inconsistencies listed in the story in regards to the plan that may have been miscommunicated. While shotgun houses are prevalent in New Orleans, the referenced plan mentioned "New Orleans style homes". The indication where this inconstancy came from for shotgun houses was based on an early plan that has since been modified based on historical reference.

While not mentioned in the article, some early amateur critics have said that members of NoLA Rising aren't taking into consideration the neighborhood residents and that we are filled with north-eastern hispters. NoLA Rising was started by a New Orleans born and bred original, Rex Dingler, and he believes in honoring the neighborhood residents and all people of New Orleans in this representation of our collective struggle following Hurricane Katrina. Rex first began putting artwork and street signs in the lower 9th ward after hurricane Katrina when he was working on the lower 9th Ward docks and has since promoted with every ability the re-building and restoration of the neighborhood. In addition to the street signs, ReX donated artwork to residents returning to their homes and even assisted Rebuilding Together New Orleans in their efforts. Criticism to the contrary is ridiculous and offered by those who are uninformed.

As for the composition of NoLA Rising? Well, we've had some people join us who have come from up north, but as always, it's been comprised of people living here, working here and loving here. We have life-long residents, pre-Katrina transplants (that have gained their NoLA citizenship cards by living through the storm with us), and then post-storm residents who want to be a part of the New Orleans renaissance. However, the "hipster" quotient is completely false and erroneous and we take great offence. Everyone wears only appropriately fitted pants and no one is allowed to wear a hat (however cool) at a dinner table.

United Artist Front - New Orleans Mural Arts Program (James Dingler & 32)

2009-04-13T11:06:00.000-07:00

Still life by James Dingler

32 Brandongirl

ARTISTS WHO HAVE ANSWERED THE CALL:
BANKSY / Shepard Fairey / Michael DeFeo / STARHEAD / Ray Noland / El Celso / Amy Martin / Tony Nozero / Christopher Poche West / Rex Dingler / Joe Russo / Cherie Langford / Allison Termine / anthony turducken / Nick Hasslock / CONO / SoTx / Melissa Levine / ARTCAR by Kelly Israel / Ken Kenan / Blaine Capone / Len Cowgill / Joan Davis / Sarah Rosedahl / Brandon Dauphin / Stephanie Stallmer / Ussama Hanna / Crista Rock / Amy Loewy / Scott Mosely / Lance “Varg” Vargas / 32 Brandongirl / Bruce Dagrepont Jr. / Claudia Gehrke / GRAILIVES / Sharky of Black Sails Photography / Donn Davis / Kyle Chase / Beverly Cook / B-Kay / Emily Macafore / Bryan Barnes / Anthony Posey / Karen Miller / Christian Silva /

ARTISTS WHO HAVE SAID THEY WOULD ANSWER THE CALL:
Peter Lundberg / Robert Guthrie / MAGS / Val Webb / Dave Warnke / Arthur McLean / Sean Geatreaux / Michelle Brecher / O...Phuck / KelleyGirl / INSPIRE / Peaceswirl / SL!C / Will Frank / Leonard Lopp / TARD / Michelle Augusto / Julie A. Miller / Rick Simpson / NEMO / Tammy Vitale / Dave Watkins / FOKUSED / GAIA / Lady Ma Dia / Rachel Hoover / Robin DeAlva-Graziano / Dion Nunez / Jenna Colby / Shera Simon / Natalie Maloney / Real Abstract / Pauline Patterson / Dori Ashton / Gracie! / Stevie Collins /

United Artist Front - New Orleans Mural Arts Program (Amy Martin)

2009-04-09T07:37:00.001-07:00

We are receiving lots of donations today from artists who have offered us their artwork to auction to benefit NoLA Rising in launching the United Artist Front, a New Orleans Mural Arts Program. Over the next few days, we will feature artwork that we have been receiving...

Posters by Amy Martin

ARTISTS WHO HAVE ANSWERED THE CALL:
BANKSY / Shepard Fairey / Michael DeFeo / STARHEAD / Ray Noland / Amy Martin / Rex Dingler / Cherie Langford / Nick Hasslock / CONO / Melissa Levine / ARTCAR by Kelly Israel / Ken Nahan / Blaine Capone / Len Cowgill / Joan Davis / Brandon Dauphin / Stephanie Stallmer / Ussama Hanna / Crista Rock / Amy Loewy / Scott Mosely

NoLA Rising Wants You!

2009-04-04T08:47:00.000-07:00

NoLA Rising needs you! NoLA Rising Wants You!

NoLA Rising is now a Louisiana non-profit. We rose up from the streets to become an organization of artists whose goal is to encourage people in all neighborhoods of Greater New Orleans to publicly display works of art for the purpose of rebuilding and restoring the human spirit in our city.

NoLA Rising will be announcing a major murals program in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans and will expand to other areas of the city.

In order to do all of this, we need to hit the ground running. As in the past, NoLA Rising has survived because artists have heeded the call to realize a goal larger than their own self-interest and given their time, their talent and their artwork in pursuit of our noble ideals.

NoLA Rising is putting up a fundraiser / show at the U.S. Mint in New Orleans and we’re currently calling for artists to donate a piece of artwork. The hope is that we can raise money to cover the costs needed for starting a major murals program. The event will be held the first weekend of Jazzfest (April 24th-26th) and will be well covered by media (mainstream and not so mainstream).

And what do you get besides a warm, fuzzy feeling inside for doing something good? You get my undying love and gratitude. You get to help be part of the NoLA Rising Movement to beautify a city that government forgot. You get recognition for helping us out and you get to be in an awesome show with some pretty bad-ass artists. Most importantly, you help out the people of New Orleans.

If you are interested, please contact me. On behalf of the NoLA Rising team, we really appreciate anything you can do. Deadline for us to receive artwork or photography will be April 17th.

Paint the change you wish to see!

ReX
NoLA Rising

ARTISTS WHO HAVE ANSWERED THE CALL:
BANKSY / Shepard Fairey / Michael DeFeo / STARHEAD / Ray Noland / El Celso / Amy Martin / Tony Nozero / Christopher Poche West / Rex Dingler / Joe Russo / Cherie Langford / Allison Termine / anthony turducken / Nick Hasslock / CONO / SoTx / Melissa Levine / ARTCAR by Kelly Israel / Ken Kenan / Blaine Capone / Len Cowgill / Joan Davis / Sarah Rosedahl / Brandon Dauphin / Stephanie Stallmer / Ussama Hanna / Crista Rock / Amy Loewy / Scott Mosely / Lance “Varg” Vargas / 32 Brandongirl / Bruce Dagrepont Jr. / Claudia Gehrke / GRAILIVES / Sharky of Black Sails Photography / Donn Davis / Kyle Chase / Beverly Cook / B-Kay / Emily Macafore / Bryan Barnes / Anthony Posey / Karen Miller / Christian Silva /

ARTISTS WHO HAVE SAID THEY WOULD ANSWER THE CALL:
Peter Lundberg / Robert Guthrie / MAGS / Val Webb / Dave Warnke / Arthur McLean / Sean Geatreaux / Michelle Brecher / O...Phuck / KelleyGirl / INSPIRE / Peaceswirl / SL!C / Will Frank / Leonard Lopp / TARD / Michelle Augusto / Julie A. Miller / Rick Simpson / NEMO / Tammy Vitale / Dave Watkins / FOKUSED / GAIA / Lady Ma Dia / Rachel Hoover / Robin DeAlva-Graziano / Dion Nunez / Jenna Colby / Shera Simon / Natalie Maloney / Real Abstract / Pauline Patterson / Dori Ashton / Gracie! / Stevie Collins

Donations have begun arriving: STARHEAD / LEN COWGILL / USSAMA HANNA

2009-04-01T10:24:00.001-07:00

Artwork has begun arriving from around the country and we are awaiting pieces to begin arriving from around the world...

STARHEAD:::

LEN COWGILL:::

USSAMA HANNA:::

MORE TO COME!!!

Coup D'oeil presents Grissel Guiliano

2009-03-31T01:00:00.000-07:00

LIGHT AS A FEATHER, STIFF AS A BOARD

Have you contemplated life after death?
You may once you see GRISSEL GIULIANO'S captivating photographs.
Or maybe you'll get stuck on something else.

NoLA Rising Pirate Paint Party

2009-03-30T04:09:00.000-07:00

March 28th

NoLA Rising hosts a small paint party for Pyrate Week Pirates and fun passer-byers. Yes, that's a word.

The weather had finally broken through and left us this beautiful spring day. More pics can be found in Flickr...

Special Thanks to St. Roch Tavern and Cafe

More Artists Join NoLA Rising for show at the U.S. Mint

2009-03-28T01:14:00.000-07:00

Adding to the list of artists who have offered to send something in for the NoLA Rising Fundraiser at the U.S. Mint:

Dr. Bob / Real Abstract / Karen Miller / Pauline Patterson / Dori Ashton / Gracie! / B-Kay / Stevie Collins

I would have had some photos for y'all of some of the art I've already started receiving, but like a true genius, I deleted them from my camera before transferring them to the supercomputer. Thus, I have to re-shoot what I have and yada yada...

ARTISTS! NoLA Rising Needs Your Help!

2009-03-21T11:01:00.000-07:00

NoLA Rising needs you! NoLA Rising needs your Art!

NoLA Rising is now a non-profit. We rose up from the streets to become an organization of artists whose goal is to encourage people in all neighborhoods of Greater New Orleans to publicly display works of art for the purpose of rebuilding and restoring the human spirit in our city.

NoLA Rising will be announcing a major murals program in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans and will expand to other areas of the city.

In order to do all of this, we need to hit the ground running. As in the past, NoLA Rising has survived because artists have heeded the call to realize a goal larger than their own self-interest and given their time, their talent and their artwork in pursuit of our noble ideals.

NoLA Rising is putting up a fundraiser / show at the U.S. Mint in New Orleans and we’re currently calling for artists to donate a piece of artwork. The hope is that we can raise money to cover the costs needed for starting a major murals program. The event will be held the first weekend of Jazzfest (April 24th-26th) and will be well covered by media (mainstream and not so mainstream).

And what do you get besides a warm, fuzzy feeling inside for doing something good? You get my undying love and gratitude. You get to help be part of the NoLA Rising Movement to beautify a city that government forgot. You get recognition for helping us out and you get to be in an awesome show with some pretty bad-ass artists. Most importantly, you help out the people of New Orleans.

If you are interested, please contact me. On behalf of the NoLA Rising team, we really appreciate anything you can do. Deadline for us to receive artwork or photography will be April 17th.

Paint the change you wish to see!

ReX
NoLA Rising

NoLA Rising Already Receiving Support from Artists! - Ray Noland / Dave Warnke / Starhead / Ken Nahan and Nick Hasslock among the first

2009-03-20T23:20:00.000-07:00

NoLA Rising initiated its call to artists yesterday for an art show / fundraiser to help in its quest to launch a murals program in the City of New Orleans. Already committed to the line-up is Ray Noland of "Go Tell Mama! I'm for Obama", Dave Warnke, Starhead, Ken Nahan, Cherie Langford and artisan Nick Hasslock of the New Orleans Tile Co.

Art by Ray Noland:

As we begin to receive artwork, we'll be posting here and on Flickr.

Labor of Love - Saturday Feb 14th, 2008

2009-02-13T23:12:00.000-08:00

Artist Cris Silva Opens at Vega in Metairie in Group Show

2009-01-13T17:24:00.000-08:00

Young Artists Show at Vegas

Vega turns the spotlight on four exciting young artists with our first-ever group show for NEW talent.

The Grand Opening Reception is Wednesday, January 14 from 5:30-7:30pm.

2051 Metairie Road, Metairie LA 70005 | 504.836.2007

Please join us for complimentary wine, sangria, and tapas. Meet these four talented new artists...

* Brittany Kirby - photos
* Melinda Boudreaux - mixed media
* Cris Silva - painting
* Sarah Boudreaux - photos

See Cris Silva's work here:

David's House - NoLA Rising and United for Peace Paint Party - January 10th - Silence is Violence, Let Your Voice be Heard

2009-01-02T09:36:00.000-08:00

"Heart of my heart, Love will never die." - "Willow"

Our friends at Silence is Violence have asked for a call to action to make the point that New Orleanians are tired of the inaction when it comes to making our city streets a safer place to enjoy. Here is NoLA Rising's response to Silence is Violence in their call to action: We are surrounded by violence and little seems to be happening to ensure public safety. There are many culprits in why this systemic failure continues to occur and while we'd like to point fingers at all of the particular leaders who day after day do nothing, it would get us no further. In the spirit of NoLA Rising, we plan to take action through art!

NoLA Rising is honored to announce a Paint Party at the house of Susan "Willow" Schroeder, who tragically lost her son to murder in 2001. To lift her out of her grief, she painted a work of love in dedication to her son David, making her home a beautiful expression of the love she felt for him. Sadly, Willow's tale is like so many other New Orleans crime tales, where no one has even been arrested in the shooting death of her son.

The tragedy doesn't end there, however. Willow and her partner Feather, have had to endure discrimination for all of the emotions that have been painted out. One neighbor has tried consistently to have the house cited and actively researches ways to fine them. Quoted in the Times-Picayune, the neighbor questioned: "Does a grieving mother have the right to deface public property because her son died?" because she painted the sidewalk immediately in front of her house. New Orleans is a city that welcomes unique forms of expression and NoLA Rising believes that this is a house worthy of such expression.

Long keeping in the philosophy that "Art can heal the wounded soul!", NoLA Rising sees the individual struggle of a loving mother a perfect place to host a paint party against the senseless acts of violence in New Orleans. It's a way to create something beautiful out of tragedy and I can think of no other way to voice opposition to the lackluster response of those responsible for maintaining public safety. We will also be joined by our friends at United For Peace who will also be creating artwork for a fundraiser to build a center for mothers and families of those lost to tragic violence.

United for Peace will have on hand 15 doors for people to paint their own vision of peace in New Orleans. One door will be given to Willow's family and the rest will be auctioned off at a benefit in March to help Mothers Hurting Because of Violence. Clothing will also be provided by United for Peace for painting and decoration.

Please, honor a fallen son and a fallen brother by joining NoLA Rising and United for Peace at David's House in the 3000 block of St. Peter around noon, Saturday, January 10th (2009) for a paint party. Bring your paints and prepare to make artwork that can proudly be displayed outside of homes across this city. Make artwork that inspires change! Let your voice be heard through artistic expression. Let the leaders of the city know that you will no longer tolerate the scourge of violence that plagues New Orleans. Paint the change you wish to see!

Following the paint party at David's House will be the after-event for the Dinerral Shavers Educational Fund. At Howling Wolf, there'll be a 9 p.m. concert featuring the Hot 8 Brass Band, Soul Rebels, Free Agent Brass Band, The Stooges and a number of other brass bands. Admission is only 10 dollars.

http://davidshouse.wordpress.com/

Times-Picayune Article on David's House

WDSU coverage of David's House

Hope to see you there!

ReX
NoLA Rising

A Successful Toys for Tots drive

2008-12-26T08:11:00.000-08:00

This Christmas, NoLA Rising asked you to donate toys for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. We offered you artwork in return. We had a very successful turn out at The Green Project at 2831 Marais. All total, we were able to donate over 100 toys to the program. Our friends at the W Hotel on Poydras gladly accepted carts of toys.

Also, many special thanks to the It's Yours, Take It group on Flickr.

Special thanks to Angie Green at the Green Project, Angela Thompson and her amazing staff at the W Hotel on Poydras, Max and Angela for curating and hanging the artwork, and all of our brothers and sisters in the IYTI world.

Shannon helps deliver presents!

Any late toy donations that we missed and toys that were donated at Deville Books at 134 Carondelet ended up going to a 7th Ward toy drive at a community center.

NoLA Rising presents an art swap to Benefit Toys for Tots

2008-12-09T07:41:00.000-08:00

Please come join us this Saturday night for an art swap / benefit to help raise toys for Toys for Tots. The idea is simple. Bring a brand new toy in a box and get a free piece of artwork. It's not a pish posh party, but a stop in during your Second Saturday Scad NoLA art-walk. Help us bring a little extra holiday cheer to some children who may not have it otherwise.

Who: NoLA Rising and The Green Project
What: An art swap - we have the art, you have the toys...let's swap
Why: For the kids, ya'heard me?
When: Saturday, December 13th 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. (or until the artwork is gone)
Where: The Green Project, 2831 Marais at the train tracks, upstairs showroom, around the side at the Garden Entrance

See you there...

p.s. If you're an artist and would like to contribute, pls bring a piece the night of...

NoLA Rising / Slightly Askew Send a Heartfelt Thank You

2008-12-08T15:44:00.000-08:00

click on the photo to enlarge

NoLA Rising and SlightlyAskew would like to thank everyone who came out and supported the Festival in New York. In addition, I would like to personally thank everyone who put their hard work, time and effort into making this Festival happen. Without your spirit and enthusiasm, it could never have been a success. Because of your support, we will be able to make a nice donation to Young Audiences here in New Orleans.

Thank you to Slightly Askew, Ad Nauseum Lyceum, IRT, Endless Love Crew, Robots Will Kill, Erik Sanner, Suspicious Brown, Jennifer Pagan, Scarlet O'Gasm, Elizabeth Wood, Gabriel Nussbaum, Caitlin Meissner, Eboni Hogan, Nick Gaswirth, cassettenova, Eddie Mars & The Vietcong Disco, DJ Theo Action Lorraine, The Talking Band, NY-Neo Classical Ensemble, The Movement Theater Company, Meres One, Elizabeth Barnett, Maranda Barskey, Ryan Frank, Deena Selenow, Rory Sheridan, the Epoxy Painted Crew (Christin, Barry, Sam, Nick and Victor), Neville Braithwaite, and, of course, Meryl Murman.

And, thanks to the New Orleans crew for coming up, helping out, passing the time and keeping me sane. NoLA crew: Avi BenBasat, Angela Pate, Robin Walker and Max Ochester. Ya'heard me?

Day 6 - NoLA Rising Festival - A Day in Queens

2008-12-08T10:40:00.000-08:00

A day in Queens...

Unfortunately, the program we were going to do with the class of second graders for canceled due to a scheduling conflict with the teacher and the holiday. However, since I had been up until a good 5 a.m. walking around Manhattan with the lovely and talented tour guide, it worked out well. This gave us a full day to buy another round of paint and head to Queens where I was able to paint the premier wall of the trip in Five Points.

Liz Giegerich, a graduate student at New York University focusing on multimedia and metropolitan reporting,gives the best account HERE:

“Five-points,” as it is known to grafitti artists around the world, is a large factory in Long Island City where it is legal to spray paint the walls. The owners of the factory allow artists to paint the walls as long as they seek permission first. The building, which fills an entire square block is covered from the ground up mostly in “wild style” grafitti - much different from NoLa Rising’s more mural-like Aztec inspired work, something Mike was initially nervous about. Mike, two other artists from New Orleans, the executive director of NoLa Rising and a photographer ventured out to Queens to tackle a large estimated 10 by 10 foot wall with spray paint cans and a ladder. I met them there while they were scouring the large dumpsters outside of the clothing factory for some left over fabric to use as scarves.

Around 3 p.m. the man who was in charge of allotting painting space led the crew to the wall they’d spend the next five hours covering with what Mike later considered his best street work ever. By 8:30 Mike and the other artists finally finished.

See Liz's blog by clicking on this line

And yet, nothing would be complete without the obligatory tourist photo...

From the late-night rainy walk across the Brooklyn Bridge

Day 5 - NoLA Rising Festival - Murals and Performance

2008-12-07T21:48:00.000-08:00

Dramatic Double Feature. Part one is the four top short plays written by New Orleans high school students in the Recovery Public School District commissioned by the Ogden Museum of Southern Folkart and performed by NYC theater companies The Talking Band, NY-Neo Classical Ensemble, The Movement Theater Company, and IRT. The students will view the staged readings via live webcam down in New Orleans.

The second performance of the day was artist Jennifer Pagan's Shoebox Lounge an admired performance artist and activist in New Orleans, Pagan is bringing her catchy and meaningful show which last appeared in NYC at UCB to IRT. I cannot tell you how touching this piece was to me. Jennifer's piece was so uniquely New Orleans that those of us from down here found ourselves at some point shedding a tear. If you want to talk about someone who knows the soul and spirit of New Orleans, see Jennifer's Shoebox Lounge any and every opportunity you get. Pagan is also a teacher and administrator with Young Audiences.

Earlier in the day, Rex and crew (Avi, Lady Robin, Max-O and super reporter Liz) went out to Brooklyn to bring the mural art of ReX to that neighborhood. It was damned cold, but we were able to accomplish two pieces:

Madonna and Fetal Jesus

I know What He's Saying

Day Four - NoLA Rising Festival in NYC

2008-12-06T18:59:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the delay in getting the updates of the NoLA Rising Festival posted. I've been nursing a cold that I neglected to take care of and it's finally gotten the better of me.

SATURDAY, Nov 22nd, 2008

The day fortunately began late with IRT transformed into a Jazz Cafe. While light Jazz was being performed live in the background, refreshments were served up and painting began...

The afternoon we held two screenings of "Wade in the Water, Children", a documentary by Elizabeth Wood, Gabriel Nussbaum and the Film Class from the first school to re-open after hurricane Katrina in Central City. "Wade in the Water, Children offers a poetic and devastating look at life in New Orleans through the eyes of the kids who call it home." To find out more about the film, visit www.wadeinthewaterdoc.com

Around eight that night, we kicked off all night festivities with WET!, an all night dance party hosted by SLIGHTLYaskew. Featuring the DJs: cassettenova, Eddie Mars & The Vietcong Disco and DJ Theo Action Lorraine.

DJ with Scarlet O'Gasm

Team NoLA Rising

No night would be complete without a little burlesque. We were proud to have New Orleans native Scarlet O'Gasm, of the Peach Tartes, performing the "Devil Went Down to Georgia."

But no night would be complete without light-up hoola-hoops! And this is how it went until the morning...

Day Three - Art Opening and After Party

2008-12-02T05:41:00.000-08:00

NoLA Rising couldn't have done it alone. With the help of artists from Endless Love Crew, Robots Will Kill, And Erik Sanner and the support of Slightly Askew, Ad Nauseum Lyceum and IRT, we got an installation together in 24 hours. That's the way to bring two cities together...

Before the music of Suspicious Brown began, two spoken word poets graced us with their work. Thanks to Caitlin Meissner and Eboni Hogan for their works.

Collaborative Wall b/w Rex, El Celso, & Infinity

Endless Love Crew and Robots Will Kill Collaboration

Avi, Meryl and Rex

Rex and Erik Sanner

Rex and Max-O

Rex and the Delightful Maranda Barskey

Day Two - Over 24 Hours of Paint Time to Prep for the Opening | Endless Love Crew - Robots Will Kill - NoLA Rising

2008-11-29T12:13:00.000-08:00

By the time I got into the space on Thursday, I had just over 24 hours to finish making the space mine. So I did what any decently insane artist would do...put on music and started tuning out people, eating only when food happened to show up, and avoided meaningful banter. In the end, the show was ready with me finishing the walls about an hour before the doors opened...

Endless Love Crew

Robots Will Kill

Click on THIS LINK to see the photos on FLickr as they are uploaded

First Night in NYC Preparing for the NoLA Rising Festival | Photos by Nick Gaswirth

2008-11-28T19:14:00.000-08:00

11/19/08

Howdy Folks!

It's been awhile since there's been an update, but as you can imagine, I've needed a little decompression time. I've spent that time organizing over 800 photos, shipping artwork, making phone calls and all the usual post-show craziness. So, to update everyone who would have liked to come up to New York for the NoLA Rising Festival, I'm going to do an event by event post.

Upon landing in New York, I took a taxi direct to IRT where the event was to be held by Slightly Askew for NoLA Rising. Five models awaited my arrival to be painted. I was going with the New Orleans cemetery theme/with Dia de La Muertos faces (as a tribute to our friend Mardi Claw). Everything was going smoothly except that the paint wasn't drying in a manner I was accustomed to. Considering it might be a difference of humidity, I painted on. However, much to our dismay after the photo shoot, Christin came in slightly panicky {approximately 2 a.m.} and announced, "the paint is NOT coming off!"

At that point, I stopped trusting that the base coat had been a latex primer, looked across the room and saw that was indeed not. INDEED not. As I read the words "High Epoxy Medium Enamel", I knew the models were screwed. A few days later, all the paint was off with minimal rashes and I learned a valuable lesson. Had I double checked what paint I had requested, all would be well. Unfortunately the hardware store where the paint was bought decided to rip off the girl who bought it seeing that she didn't know the difference of the paints.

The following photos were taken for NoLA Rising archive purposes, but professional prints of the shoot can be found by photographer Nick Gaswirth. ::: To SEE the photos that Nick Selected, GO HERE

NoLA Rising NYC

CANO has an art-filled Thanksgiving weekend

2008-11-27T21:48:00.000-08:00

CANO - Creative Alliance of New Orleans

Studio at Colton to host local arts-themed Thanksgiving weekend

WHAT:

The Studio at Colton School invites our New Orleans neighbors, visitors, families and friends to join us for a Thanksgiving weekend experience like none other filled with local arts and culture. Diverge from the beaten path of mainstream movies and malls in favor of a one of a kind post-Turkey Day weekend at the Studio at Colton School, where 100,000 square feet of work spaces, exhibitions, workshops and classrooms converted to screening rooms will be open all weekend from noon until 8:00 p.m.

A film-festival exclusively featuring the work of Colton resident filmmakers including Court 13, New Orleans Video Access Center, Film Charitable Network and 2 Cent Entertainment will run on both Saturday and Sunday from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m. in room 318. Stray from the traditional holiday weekend path of the high-budget blockbuster packed theater experience in favor of the local, independent film industry. (See below for a list of films to be shown.)

Fueled by bountiful Thanksgiving dinner and dessert local kids are sure to have energy to burn. They'll love any and all of the unique children's events at The Studio at Colton School this weekend including a special production of "Blues for Kids," with Clifford McPeak of Good Children Gallery and the exciting opportunity to see artists at work in classroom studio spaces throughout the school. NOLA Project and Alex Martinez Wallace will also offer the once in a lifetime Superhero Enterprise Workshop for kids who want channel their inner super hero through a rigorous imagination operation while developing confidence and teamwork skills.

Black Forest Fancies Laboratories will also present a unique puppetry theater experience featuring the drama of string-controlled creatures in "The Tragical Ballad of Black Bonnet," a story of romance between locally hand-crafted marionettes.

All events except the Superhero Enterprise Workshop, ($5.00 per child) are free.

WHEN and WHERE:
Saturday + Sunday November 29th + 30th, 2008

Studio at Colton School
2300 St. Claude Avenue
New Orleans, La. 70117
Building open from 12:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Thanksgiving Weekend Mini Film Festival
Saturday and Sunday from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. in Room 318

Court 13 presents:
* Glory at Sea
* Death to the Tinman

*(Part of the set of Glory at Sea, a myth entrenched car that was once a boat, has been reconstructed and is on display in the gallery on the Spain Street side of the ground floor.)

NOVAC presents:
* A Loud Color
* Scenic Highway

Film Charitable Network presents:
* Talkin' Water

2 Cent Entertainment presents:
* New Orleans for Sale
* Operation Education
* Hip-Hop Mirrors

Blues for Kids with Clifford McPeak
Saturday from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Red Ball Room (ground floor, Mandeville St. side)

Superhero Enterprise Workshop
Sunday from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Red Ball Room (ground floor, Mandeville St. side)
*$5.00 per child (ages 5-12 recommended – younger and older welcome)

The Tragical Ballad of Black Bonnet: Puppetry Theater by Black Forest Fancies Laboratories
Sunday at 6:00 p.m.
Room 213

WHY:

The Studio at Colton School is designed to be a facility that will provide working and exhibition opportunities to artists and students in order to advance their career, education and marketing opportunities and thus contributing to the economic development of the creative sector of our community. One of this year's most exciting and important community projects, The Studio features 78 local artists, designers, arts organizations, performers, film makers, builders and culinary artists who have signed contracts to utilize free studio and exhibition space granted by CANO in the 100,000 square foot Studio at Colton school.

NoLA Rising NYC | Slightly Askew | Ad Nauseum

2008-11-14T10:35:00.000-08:00

ReX of NoLA Rising arrives in New York next week for the NoLA Rising Festival. We don't have any trapeze artists lined up that I know of, but we have a full line-up of art lunacy. CHECK IT OUT HERE!

November 21 8pm Opening Event
This is the opening of the exhibit A Tag of Two Cities. Solo musicians James Subudhi, Lauren Pritchard (Spring Awakening) and the fabulous funk reggae band Suspicious Brown will share the stage with world renowned spoken word poets Eboni Hogan and Caitlin Meissner. Meet the artists, drink, view Michael Almereyda's new film, and make a shirt with fashion designer David Withrow and graphic artist Maranda Barskey.

November 22nd – 24 Hours of ART!

9-10:30am FREE! Yoga with Elizabeth Barnett. Come salute the opening of 24 hours of ART! with this free yoga class.

12 – 1:30pm Java Jazz. FREE! An event for all ages, come enjoy jazz, coffee, bakery, and explore the exhibit. Mike "Rex" Dingler of NoLA Rising will have wood, paint and supplies set up for you to make a piece of art for the people and students in New Orleans who are still trying to return to their homes after Katrina.

3pm – 5pm Screening of Wade in the Water. This documentary was made by students in the first school to open in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Produced and directed by Elizabeth Wood and Gabriel Nussbaum, the children of New Orleans' violent Central City neighborhood create riveting and remarkably honest portraits of a New Orleans that was a disaster long before Katrina, a New Orleans that adults are slow to discuss and that the media could never penetrate, and that the flood has exacerbated. In addition there will be four award winning short stories and poems written by students in the Recovery School District Public Schools in New Orleans performed by NY artists and viewed by live webcam by the students in New Orleans. This project was commissioned by the Ogden Museum of Southern Folk Art in New Orleans, LA. $5 proceeds from this event go towards a literary publication of the student's work.

7:30 – 9pm Comedorleans Hosted by Lucas Kavner this event will be a fun mix of the best sketch comedy groups in the city. $10 admission also gets you into the WET! party

9pm – 3am WET! all night dance party Dress to get wet… whether that means your best galoshes and slickers, yellow polka dot bikini, goggles or the color BLUE we hope you'll join us for an all night bash featuring Pat O'Brian's famous Hurricane Cocktails, drink specials, N'awlins Burlesque dancers and a great mix of DJS including ITP's cassettenova, Black and White's DJ Theo "Action" Lorraine, Eyebeam's Dj "dubs", and bringin the house down with Eddie Mars and the Vietcong Disco. $10 plus one free drink

November 23rd 8am FREE Yoga with Elizabeth Barnett for those of you at the after party Liz will offer a great Restorative Yoga session…yeah….see you at the finish line.

November 23rd 5pm and 8pm Dramatic Double Feature. You have two chances to see this double feature. Part one is the four top short plays written by New Orleans high school students in the Recovery Public School District commissioned by the Ogden Museum of Southern Folkart and performed by NYC theater companies The Talking Band, NY-Neo Classical Ensemble, The Movement Theater Company, and IRT. The students will view the staged readings via live webcam down in New Orleans. The second feature is performance artist Jennifer Pagan's Shoebox Lounge an admired performance artist and activist in New Orleans, Pagan is bringing her catchy show which last appeared in NYC at UCB to IRT. Pagan is a teacher and administrator with Young Audiences. $10

November 24th Michael "Rex" Dingler will do a workshop with Crown Heights First Achievement school second grade class. A class made up primarily of Afro-Caribbean students, many of whose families have been effected by recent hurricanes, they will partner with the NHP foundations Tanglewood Youth Center in New Orleans on a "Drawing" pal exchange.

November 25th NoLA Rising and SLIGHLTYaskew go to Southstreet Youth Center in Jamaica Plains Boston, MA. NoLA Rising will join members of SLIGHTLYaskew who have been working with the youth community in JP for the past two years in an art therapy workshop surrounding a recent shooting and killing of several children in the community. The students will get to share their thoughts and feelings through art and make work both in response and for their community.

NoLA Rising at Prospect Everyone

2008-11-06T20:52:00.000-08:00

Prospect EveryOne - The New Orleans Opening for Prospect 1

On Thursday, October 30th, NoLA Rising joined the team of New Orleans all stars on Julia Street for the locals opening of Prospect One. NoLA Rising opted to provide the entertainment of an art jail where you could have your friends thrown in jail for a small fee. Once inside the jail you had to work hard labor making artwork until you could convince someone to come and bail you out. A good time was had by all...enjoy the pictures of our madness:

Jess and Jen Patrol the streets

Immunity for no one

NoLA Rising

I eat a lot of donuts to look this good

The first prisoner of the evening

---And a very special thanks to everyone who helped make this night happen: Avi, Angela, Max, Mags, Travis, Jess, Denise, Varg, Jenn, Romy, & Alicia---

NoLA Rising at Voodoo Fest - October 2008

2008-10-30T23:19:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, the city was alive with music once again with Voodoo Festival in full swing. While we could have been out partying with Stone Temple Pilots, we stayed in The Land of Nod under the sanction of our brothers and sisters from NooMoon. We set up a full paint party and even set up temporary headquarters in City Park for those who like to paint and listen to music. Below are some of the photos from Voodoo weekend:

CLICK HERE TO SEE A FULL SET OF PHOTOS FROM VOODOO (NOLA RISING PICS)

OR SEE THESE PHOTOS FROM OUR BELOVED DRUNAH

Prospect EveryOne! - 10/30

2008-10-30T08:43:00.000-07:00

Prospect EveryOne! - Tonight - Julia Street

Come kick off the opening weekend of the PROSPECT.1 Biennial with the New Orleans Arts District's PROSPECT.EveryOne Julia Street Block Party this Thursday, October 30th, from 7-10.

This party represents the premier event curated by Shoot the Messenger Productions, a collaborative cooperative of the creative powers of Zack Smith, noted New Orleans photographer and musician, and Miranda Lake, local painter recently named one of the Top Ten Artists in New Orleans by Art Voices Magazine.

The night promises to be a blast as we have gathered some of our favorite people and things from New Orleans for you all to share, enjoy and celebrate.

While there, stop by the Lucky You! Popcorn Stand, get a homemade eyeball cupcake while they last, and pay tribute to the self proclaimed Emperor of the Universe himself, the one and only, Ernie K-Doe!

Our sisters in the Big Easy Rollergirls will be there knockin' bastards down; NoLA Rising will be on the scene to scoop up miscreants and put them in the Fine Art Jail (accommodations will be unpleasant); Watch for the Pussyfooters!; Visit the SUMO ring and try your luck and wrestling; Tikki Rockers to lull you to a firey sleep and much much more of the bizarre (for Julia Street that is).

NoLA Rising will be located at the corner of Camp and Julia and we'll have a art jail where you can pay to have your friends thrown in jail. While there, they will be forced to make art in our hard labor section. Be wary though, if they buy a get out of jail free card, they are immune and can have you thrown in jail without reciprocity. In the end, we promise a good time, lots of laughs and some smokin' hot cops!

See Doug MacCash article in the Times-Picayune

Paint Party for Peace! - XO Studios

2008-10-24T12:53:00.000-07:00

Paint Party for Peace
Saturday, October 25th
Noon until Dark
XO Press Park
(Press St. and Dauphine St.)

United for Peace in New Orleans is organizing a massive art project, speaking out against violence with poetry, music and visual art. We would like to invite all of our friends and supporters to participate in this important event.

The march needs visual artists to donate their talent and create portraits of the victims. These portraits will be carried during the march as a memorial to those who have been lost. After the march the portraits will be displayed in an art show and finally given to the families of the victims.

For all those willing artist, come out October 25th and help us paint signs and clothing for the march. We have 400 articles of clothing that we will paint with memories, poetry and pictures so that, on the day of the march, we may walk with our lost loved ones.

We will have a portrait party October 25th from noon until dark at Press St. and Dauphine (XO Press). The rain date will be October 26th.

Please contact Charles Anderson at (908) 328-7956 with any questions.

NoLA Rising at Voodoo Fest!

2008-10-24T01:24:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Gents, Miscreants and Ladies of Ill Repute-

NoLA Rising will be joining our Brothers and Sisters from the NooMoon tribe this weekend at VooDoo Fest. Stop by and see us. We'll be having us some fun and painting on everything we can get ahold of.

To see more about VooDoo and NooMoon, check out the following from our esteemed pirate, Lord David:

New Orleans is, and has always been, a city that calls out to artists of all types. Writers, actors, painters, and especially musicians, come here and are reborn in the image of those who were born here in reality; not by imitation, but by the sense of freedom and self discovery that prevails in such a lush Caribbean climate, steeped in all night drinking establishments, a history of cultures, wide and deep, and a sense that life is for living in the moment at hand.

This makes New Orleans the perfect venue for music, not only at festivals such as Voodoo & Jazz Fest, but also in the dive bars, tiny clubs of Frenchman street and for the street performers of Jackson Square.

Thousands come every year to see & hear their favorite artists, acts too big to play together in smaller arenas, or in one night only situations. Twice a year we are host to a stellar group of performers and luminaries, a seemingly unending parade of talent, going on for days.

In the background of these nationally noticed events is a much smaller phenomenon. A small part of downtown New Orleans, just east of the French Quarter, is known as the Marigny/Bywater. These two communities, joined back to back at the Press Street railroad tracks, are an amazing burgeoning art community.

Having lived in this part of town for almost fifteen years, I suppose I got used to seeing artists on bicycles, carrying their tools and canvases under an arm as they peddle down the streets, musicians carrying instruments on backs and baskets, as they head to & from their gigs, rehearsals or street performances.

This small community has grown dramatically over the last decade, spawning a series of galleries, some in reconditioned buildings, previously long out of use, such as the Candle Factory, a huge warehouse and art/performance space, hidden under the Claiborne Street bridge, and L’Art Noir, created in an old store front on St. Claude Avenue. Then there are the home galleries, like the Side Arm Gallery on St. Roch Avenue, or my own loft gallery, The Skull Club, mere blocks away.

This development has led to the creation of the St. Claude Art District, (www.scadnola.com) an online co-operative of the art spaces and galleries, now garnishing national attention from the likes of Derek Hess & the Andy Warhol Society, as well as international attention created by this Fall’s New Orleans Fringe Festival (www.nofringe.org).

At the same time, local musicians have been plying their trade, supporting local recording studio spaces, from the well known Piety Street studio, home of the latest Andre Williams recording, to one of the newer additions, The Rookery Studio, a digital and multi track tape recording facility hidden deep in the Bywater.

I recently produced a short session at the Rookery for a friend, Stix duh Clown, of My Graveyard Jaw, who was joined by his illustrious pal, Ratty Scurvics, of Ratty Scurvics’ Singularity. I met these two wildly creative guys when they played together in Strekin Hobo, some time ago, when I was bartending at the Hi Ho, another St. Claude institution of outsider music and art. In the years that have followed, they’ve worked together and separately in a slew of projects, ranging from My Graveyard Jaw & Singularity, to Ratty’s musical backup of theater productions, written by him & performed live at the Back Yard Ballroom shows.

This is but the tip of the iceberg, however. The new music coming from this community reaches far & wide in terms of influence, method and instrumentation. From the dreamlike poetic musings of Illusion Fields to the house & dance hall reggae & ska of DJ Proppa bear, there is as far flung an approach to this local music scene as any art community has seen.

Local college radio station WTUL often gives voice to new music, and the local Jazz & Heritage station WWOZ prides itself on promoting local talent. It is still difficult, at the best of times, for New American Bands to get themselves heard.

College radio has a particularly different trend in musical listening tastes because, unlike other genres where the fans grow with the music they enjoy, the college listening market constantly turns over as that particular age group arrives and eventually moves on. This makes for a fascinating array of new interests, but can be very challenging for a new band or artist to establish themselves in.

Local Jazz & Heritage Radio, WWOZ, sticks closer to its roots in blues, jazz, R&B and the music that gave New Orleans its name. While there is a wealth of talent, new & old, in this genre, it’s hardly the place for bands like Why Are We Building Such a Big Ship to create a fan base.

Aside from smaller experimental venues, and playing backup at local galleries, only the internet, with its dizzying compilation of independent talent, offers itself as ongoing fertile ground for these artists. Therein lies the rub.

Until now.

Enter Dan Sheridan, or as we call him in the neighborhood, Dan the Man. I met Dan when he arrived in New Orleans to stay, about the same time that Strekin Hobo was rocking the Hi Ho. In fact, we met at that very club. A long time outsider entrepreneur,

Dan the Man was marketing a thoughtfully freaky brand of clothing, particularly tribal designed screen printed wear, under the name Noomoon. Those who helped out with these endeavors, taking part in an organic growth of neighborly family, became known as the Noomoon Tribe, back in the beginning of the creation of this crew of freaks.

But that was only the beginning.

As Dan would tell it (or at least as he told it to me), so many people from those days assumed that Noomoon Tribe was a band, that one was eventually started, as the promotional machine seemed already in motion. Bringing that momentum from Detroit to New Orleans, Noomoon quickly found a home base, right here in the Marigny, and an ongoing group of willing constituents.

These endeavors grew right along side of the music & art community renaissance that was taking place in these same small neighborhoods. Dan’s Noomoon promotional machine once more came into play.

While music and art fans from around the world know they can come and enjoy the second Saturday of the month gallery openings of the St. Claude Art District, or come to town in mid November for the New Orleans Fringe Festival, it’s only just becoming common knowledge that the Voodoo Music Experience is no longer for name acts only.

This year is the 10th Voodoo Experience Music Ritual, and the 9th for Noomoon. Running it’s own stage, The Land of Nod, Noomoon brings to a huge public audience those underground and outsider musical entities the rest of the world is only just now about to discover.

Located just inside the front gates, aptly placed immediately to the right of the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Noomoon Land of Nod stage provides an alternative reality, with two stages, a variety of bands and performers, fire breathers and dancers, tribal style body piercing and suspension, vendors and costumers all quite a bit different than the usual Voodoo fare, last year even including a voodoo ritual to protect New Orleans from hurricane damage, that although may be a leap of faith, may actually have worked to some degree. You’ll have to decide for yourself.

The point is this: New Orleans is a magic city of new tastes and old, of mixed blood and history, of pirates and politicians, churches and vampires, writers and drinkers, many of whom are all one and the same. It is a spicy gumbo of creativity, where musicians & artists of many types and cultures experiment with their canvases and sounds, their processes, their lives. While that may not be for everybody, it’s an amazing thing to watch.

The 10th annual Voodoo Music Experience and Ritual provides that opportunity.
Noomoon’s 9th annual Land of Nod stage takes it the extra mile, loosing local creative madness in a public forum. While many cities have their own music scene, art venues, culture & style, few challenge New Orleans for sheer volume of these things, and so many talents that challenge the perspective we have come to know and accept.

Enjoy Voodoo this year. Take the walk down to the Land of Nod. Stay a while. Make some new friends, enjoy the music, join the Tribe for an afternoon or an evening or both.

Find something new to explore. Find something new inside yourself.

Who knows, you may find yourself on the Land of Nod stage, too, one day.
It’s a place where anything can, and often does, happen.

Lord David
Pirate & Artist
Skull Club
New Orleans

SLIGHTLY ASKEW / NOLA RISING / NEW YORK CITY

2008-10-06T19:07:00.000-07:00

SLIGHTLY ASKEW & NOLA RISING

SLIGHTLY Askew and IRT has recently posted pics from some of their paint parties up in New York. See the full set here:

SLIGHLY Askew & NoLA Rising

SLIGHTLYaskew and IRT present NoLA Rising!

NoLA Rising is a post-Katrina arts campaign that focuses on public art, community building and arts therapy in New Orleans. In preparation for the arrival of NoLA Rising in November, SLIGHTLYaskew will be hosting paint parties across New York City. At each paint party, there will be free wood, paint and brushes. We will invite New Yorkers and passersby to paint these pieces of wood with messages of hope for the people of New Orleans.

The signs will be displayed at the NoLA Rising Exhibit which will be open November 21st through the 26th at the infrared theater (IRT) in the West Village. Many of the signs will also be displayed around the city of New York for public enjoyment, and the rest will be given as a gift to the city of New Orleans and its people who are struggling with post traumatic stress disorder and who are returning to and rebuilding their homes but cannot afford artwork.

Join us on Saturdays, and be on the look out for paint parties coming to your neighborhood!

Prospect Park Paint Party!

2008-09-25T21:49:00.000-07:00

PROSPECT PARK PAINT PARTY : October 4th

SLIGHTLYaskew presents NoLA Rising!

NoLA Rising is a post-Katrina arts campaign that focuses on public art, community building and arts therapy in New Orleans. In preparation for the arrival of NoLA Rising in November, SLIGHTLYaskew will be hosting paint parties across New York City.

The next paint party will be Saturday October 4th in Prospect Park. At each paint party, there will be free wood, paint and brushes. We will invite New Yorkers and passersby to paint these pieces of wood with messages of hope for the people of New Orleans.

The signs will be displayed at the NoLA Rising Exhibit which will be open November 21st through the 26th at the infrared theater (IRT) in the West Village.

Many of the signs will also be displayed around the city of New York for public enjoyment, and the rest will be given as a gift to the city of New Orleans and its people who are struggling with post traumatic stress disorder and who are returning to and rebuilding their homes but cannot afford artwork.

Join us on Saturday, and be on the look out for paint parties coming to your neighborhood!

NoLA Rising Honors Art Teacher Beverly Cook from McMain High School, New Orleans

2008-08-19T22:12:00.000-07:00

As many of y'all may have noted, Rex has been busy with many things lately. While he believes that New Orleans has many serious issues at hand, he's asked me to write up a spot of good news from our event this past weekend in hopes to give New Orleans something positive to read.

On Saturday, at Cafe Brazil, NoLA Rising held an art bazaar of sorts with the pieces created at the last two paint parties. The first at XO Studios and the second at Dragon's Den with Section 8 magazine. Over 150 pieces of artwork were created of various skill level with the intention of selling off the pieces to raise money for one lucky Orleans Parish art teacher. Only 40 pieces of artwork ended up selling, the remainder of which will be saved for a pending Toys-for-Tots paint party coming this fall.

On Sunday, Rex and Angela (recently returned from her European sojourn) used the money raised to purchase a $300 gift certificate at local art store National Art and Hobby located on Magazine Street. National offers teacher discounts which will help spread the gift a little further. NoLA Rising, shortly thereafter, delivered the fine-looking, color-it-yourself, certificate to Mrs. Cook's house much to her surprise.

Mrs. Cook was chosen because of her dedication to her students and their work, her passion for art, and her love for the city. Rex therefore sends an official salut to Beverly Cook for her service as a dedicated art teacher!

Art for Schools! & Lost and Found Artist's Bazaar - August 16th at Cafe Brazil

2008-08-12T04:02:00.000-07:00

August 16th is our going away party to summer. That's right...just when you thought it was safe to put your art linens away, we invite you to Soiled Linen Day in the Marigny/Bywater. Sure, you put on your old, dirty white linen and trounced around shamelessly like a filthy bum on Royal Street. I applaud your sense of style! But, what you didn't realize is that maybe you sullied yourself in ways that you didn't realize. It's a good thing, because we don't judge and decided to honor you by having a day where you aren't expected to wear anything you don't want to (like linen...dirty or otherwise).

On August 16th, NoLA Rising is bringing to you another art show on Frenchman street during the middle of the day. From noon (or there-bouts depending on when I wake up) till say five or so, NoLA Rising compatriots will set up the artwork from the last two paint parties. It's not completely free this time...because we are asking for a donation. We'll let your conscience dictate what you give. An

And what will we do with all this donation money? One lucky art teacher from a local New Orleans public school will receive art supplies that we custom buy for his/her class.

WHO: the NoLA Rising crew
WHAT: Art for you to take home for a donation of your choosing
WHEN: Saturday, August 16th , from noon until say six or so
WHERE: At Cafe Brazil on Frenchman Street
WHY: Why not! But more importantly, so we can do our part for getting some more art supplies to a teacher who can and will use them...

But all the fun doesn't end there. At XO Studios, there is an Artist's Bazaar in the side yard. Whether you want to sell your wares or buy some of the local artwork/crafts, the artist's bazaar will have a little bit of everything. Come visit the neighborhood and see what real New Orleans artists and crafts people are up to.

XO Studios : 2833 Dauphine (at the corner of Press in the MArigny) : See flyer below for details

Prospect 1 - New Orleans - Dan Cameron Interview

2008-08-09T15:12:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, August 6, 2008 - From NoLA Ninja Girl

Can Creativity save New Orleans?
On November 1, 2008, Prospect.1 New Orleans [P.1], the largest biennial of international contemporary art ever organized in the United States, will open to the public in museums, historic buildings, and found sites throughout New Orleans. Prospect.1 New Orleans [P.1] has been conceived in the tradition of the great international biennials, and will showcase new artistic practices as well as an array of programs benefiting the local community. Over the course of its eleven-week run, Prospect.1 New Orleans [P.1] plans to draw international media attention, creative energy, and new economic activity to the city of New Orleans.

Methinks.

For more information:
http://prospectneworleans.org/
Posted by nola ninja girl at 2:59 PM