NoLA RISING
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Current Projects
CURRENTLY ON THE AGENDA -2010
Building Community Enthusiasm for the Lower Ninth Ward Industrial Canal Levee Wall Mural
A year has passed since NoLA Rising: United Artist Front first proposed the painting of a mural on the Lower Ninth Ward Industrial Canal levee wall. During that time the group has taken many steps to turn that dream into a reality. Both NoLA Rising and the Mural Project have become better organized. Crucial headway has been made in the governmental approval process. The organization has adopted a practical, phased approach to the mural, which will be 3900 feet long once it is finally completed. NoLA Rising has also made concerted efforts to engage the local community in the planning and execution stages, and those efforts are strengthening the project.
Non-Profit Tax Exempt Status Achieved
NoLA Rising: United Artist Front, Inc. is now an official Louisiana non-profit corporation. The Internal Revenue Service recently awarded Section 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status to the corporation, enabling it to solicit much-needed contributions of money and materials for the project.
Mural Project Management Team Appointed; New Strategy Adopted
Avi Ben Basat, Vice President of NoLA Rising: United Artist Front, Inc. is Director of the Mural Project, with the assistance of Board members Anika Watson, Kelly Jacques and Max Ochester.
“Although our original goal of showcasing the work of up to 265 artists on the wall remains the same, our consultations with the Arts Council of New Orleans helped us realize it would be better to break the project into smaller, more manageable pieces,” said Mr. Ben Basat.
A critical element of the new strategy is encouraging the active participation of the Lower Ninth Ward community in the project, and strengthening our relationship by gaining the trust of community members. Although more work needs to be done, the group has canvassed the area, enlisting the support of many residents whose homes face the levee wall. Mr. Ben Basat gave a presentation at the Lower Ninth Ward Summit on November 13, 2010 that was hosted by the Lower Ninth Ward Village and the Lower Ninth Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development. It was well received. NoLA Rising is organizing a town hall discussion about the Mural Project at the Lower Ninth Ward Village and establishing a community advisory committee to help chart the project’s course. NoLA Rising is committed to informing the community about the project, addressing members’ potential concerns, and providing opportunities for participation.
Selection of “Where’s Your Neighbor” Panel as the Mural’s Centerpiece
Soon after Hurricane Katrina, Mack McClendon began building a community center for the Lower Ninth Ward called the Lower Ninth Ward Village. It has since become an important venue for meetings and community cultural events. One of the Village’s signature programs is the “Where’s Your Neighbor” project. Mr. McClendon is establishing a database of members of the Lower Ninth Ward community who have been displaced by the storm. He has also painted small murals depicting a map of the United States displaying the locations of displaced community members, in an effort to bring back those residents who wish to return.
NoLA Rising Board member Kelly Jacques, an artist, community organizer and proprietor of The Bikery baking business, came up with the idea of painting a larger version of Mr. McClendon’s mural on the wall, and making it the centerpiece of the entire continuous mural. NoLA Rising approached Mack with the idea, and gained his support. Once all of the approvals have been secured and contributions to cover expenses (estimated to total approximately $5,000) have been received, a team of painters can complete the centerpiece in about two weeks time. Team members will come from the NoLA Rising Board, the Lower Ninth Ward Village and the local community. The centerpiece is intended to be a historical snapshot of the status of the community five years after Hurricane Katrina.
“We do not intend to make updates of people’s whereabouts on the mural itself,” said Mr. Ben Basat, “but will provide the website address for the database at the bottom for those who wish to obtain updates about the status of their neighbors.”
The centerpiece will inaugurate the Mural Project, rallying the community around its first concrete manifestation. It will assist NoLA Rising in securing sponsorships and donations from local businesses as well as artist participation in subsequent phases of the Mural Project.
Mural by the Students of MLK Charter School
Another early phase of the Mural Project is the production of a mural by students at MLK Charter School under the supervision of the school’s Art Director, Amelie Prescott, her Assistant Niko Busciglio and members of the NoLA Rising Mural Project management team. NoLA Rising plans to designate a four foot high and one hundred and twenty foot long section of the levee wall for the student mural, since it is particularly well suited for student painters. The MLK Charter School students are currently in the process of developing a scaled mock-up and will be working throughout the school year on this project.
Requests for Design Proposals from the Artist Community for Phase 3
The theme for the rest of the continuous mural is artistic interpretations of a home. Requests for design proposals will be distributed to local and international artists and arts groups. NoLA Rising is strongly encouraging submissions from artists who have lived or currently reside in the Lower Ninth Ward.
Orleans Levee District Committee of the SLFPA-East Approval
Mr. Ben Basat and Ms. Jacques recently presented the organization’s revised goals for the mural project to the Orleans Levee District Committee. The Committee was pleased with the group’s progress and motioned that NoLA Rising move on to the next step of the process which involves the formal approval of the Orleans Levee Board. There after, the final step will be to secure a mural permit from the city of New Orleans.
Members’ Excitement Over Recent Progress and Anticipation of Challenges to Come
“We are pleased with the progress of our efforts thus far to develop a partnership with the Lower Ninth Ward community for the Mural Project, but still have more to do” said Michael Dingler, President of NoLA Rising: United Artist Front. “We are also happy to have the contributions of time and talent from Anika Watson, an artist and experienced community organizer who recently joined our Board.”
Max Ochester, a veteran NoLA Rising Board member and experienced art curator is also excited about the Mural Project. “Nola Rising is passionate about seeing this dream come to fruition because we truly believe in the power of public art,” said Mr. Ochester.
“This mural has the potential to create an unprecedented visual spectrum that will be a beacon proclaiming to the community, the city, and the world that the culture of New Orleans will not only endure, but flourish in the face of any and all adversity,” said Mr. Ben Basat.
NoLA Rising is currently exploring all fundraising avenues and is in the process of soliciting donations. Contributions can be made on the web through nolarising.blogspot.com or by sending a check made out to NoLA Rising: United Artist Front, Inc. and mailed to NoLA Rising; P.O. Box 52316; New Orleans, Louisiana 70152-2316.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Avi Ben Basat, Vice President and Director of the Mural Project
NoLA Rising: United Artist Front, Inc.
Telephone: (504) 671-9023
Email: abenbasat @ gmail.com
IN THE PAST
· September 2007 – “Fighting the Grey” – NoLA – Paint Party / Street Installations
· November 2007 – “Taking Back the Streets” – NoLA – Paint Party / Street Installations
· March 2008 – “Ides of Arts” – NoLA – Paint Party / Art Show / Fundraiser (Donated over 50 pieces of artwork to the St. Bernard Fire Department for firefighters finally returning to their homes) / (Donated approximately 30 pieces of artwork to Rebuilding Together New Orleans for people finally returning to their homes in the Holy Cross neighborhood)
· May 2008 – “It's Yours, Take It” – NoLA – Paint Party / Art Give-Away (Held a free art event in the Marigny Triangle where passer-byers could take a free piece of art)
· July 2008 – “Dog Days of Summer” – NoLA – Paint Party
· August 2008 – “Les Mouvement des Artistes” – NoLA – Paint Party in collaboration with Section 8 Magazine & Defend New Orleans
· October 2008 – “VooDoo Music Festival” – NoLA – Paint Party encampment during the Voodoo Music Festival where artwork was created for the NoLA Rising Toys for Tots event in December
· October 2008 – “Prospect EveryOne” – NoLA – Set up an art jail on Julia Street for the opening event of ProspectOne
· November 2008 – “NoLA Rising Festival” – NYC (West Village) – Held a weekend long Art Show / Festival of New Orleans Art, Theater and Music (Raised $1,000 for the Young Audiences in New Orleans)
· December 2008 – “NoLA Rising Toys for Tots” – NoLA – Organized a free art event where people would bring toys for USMC Toys for Tots Program (Raised over 85 toys for donation to local area USMC Toys for Tots Program)
· January 2009 – “David's House” – NoLA – Paint Party in support of Feather and Willow fighting for to maintain their property rights
· February 2009– “NooMoon Krewe Du Vieux BBQ” – NoLA – Paint Party (Artwork to be donated to New Orleans Citizens Against Crime Fundraiser)
· March 2009 - Painting With Scalawags" - NoLA - Paint Party in Collaboration with Pyrate Week - Bring Your Scalawags to The St. Roch Walk and enjoy a day painting
· April 2009 - U.S. Mint Art Show - Fundraiser for NoLA Rising with over 120 participating artists
· November 2009 - Paint Party for Marine Corps toys for Tots Art Exchange in coordination with New Orleans Fringe Festival
· December 2009 – “NoLA Rising Toys for Tots” – NoLA – Organized a free art event where people would bring toys for USMC Toys for Tots Program (Raised over 120 toys for donation to local area USMC Toys for Tots Program)
· October 2010 - Paint Party at the Lower 9th Ward community Center - Artwork to go to fundraiser for Lower 9th Ward Community Center
· November 2010 - Paint Party for Marine Corps toys for Tots Art Exchange in coordination with St. Claude Arts District Arts Bienniel
· November 2010 - Paint Party for Marine Corps toys for Tots Art Exchange in coordination with New Orleans Fringe Festival
· December 2010 - “NoLA Rising Toys for Tots” – NoLA – Organized a free art event where people would bring toys for USMC Toys for Tots Program (At time of posting, current;y being organized)
©Michael J Dingler / 2010