Art takes to the streets this Mardi Gras as pop-ups replace Popeyes on New Orleans billboards from January 21 to February 18. Expose: New Orleans’ International Billboard Art Exhibit is set to showcase 13 national and international artists all on billboards above parade routes and near Super Bowl traffic areas for optimal artist exposure.  

Before snapping that perfect family photo for the Christmas card, check out the professionals. New Orleans turns its lens on the arts as the 7th annual PhotoNOLA kicks off Thursday, Nov. 29, and runs through the weekend.

by M.D. Dupuy

Bring it on, Grey Ghost. Once again, an internationally-known street artist decided to wield his spray cans in the Bywater sunshine this afternoon. Paul Santoleri [legally] created a large-scale mural today in Clouet Gardens, (707 Clouet) and the 43-foot piece was completed within a few hours, thanks to the convenience of the medium.  

Ralston Crawford was not an artist limited by medium.

By Ryan Sparks

Recently it was announced that the burger market in New Orleans has been “saturated,” what with the recent openings of several patty-centric restaurants, but for purists and aficionados of another “B” food, the uptick may just be beginning.  Traditionally people from the south aren't as passionate about their bagels as they are about their biscuits, croissants, or cornbread, but there are plenty of New Orleanians who turn to this sturdy staple as the basis of their breakfast. We have tasted some fine underground bagels, but for the most part, purists grumble about an offering that is little more than “hard buns with rolls.”

Artists Who Wish They Were Dead II

August 13 – September 3

Barristers Gallery & UNO St. Claude Gallery

The original idea was groovy when announced; it still feels groovy now. Take a young theatre company with a proven track record, give them residence at City Park, and then unleash them across the public space to create performance as they see fit. That is exactly what The New Orleans Museum of Art has done with The NOLA Project

Indulge in a French Quarter night stroll on Royal Street with wine, food, and art this Saturday at Dirty Linen Night. As the French Quarter’s response to Julia Street’s “White Linen Night”, Dirty Linen Night affords New Orleanians the opportunity to pull last week's suit out of the hamper, save some quarters set aside for the Laundromat, and saunter down the Royal Street Artist’s District’s array of galleries and shops, all while enjoying some liberating libations.

August 5, when The Mayflower departed from Southampton, England for North America (1620), when the U.S. abolished flogging (1861), when American Bandstand debuted (1957), and when Nelson Mandela was jailed. He would not be released until 1990. (1962). It's the birthday of Neil Armstrong (1930) and Funkmaster Flex (1968), it's the last day of Marilyn Monroe (1962), and it's International Beer Day. So raise a glass, and head to the following:

The visual arts continued their resurgence in 2010. Events such as Prospect 1.5, PhotoNOLA, and the suddenly hot monthly art walks have propelled those putting brush to canvas to a stature equal to those putting brushes to skin... feet to canvas. Right now, we are seeing incredible art coming out of this city; the works span all mediums, and convey themes still tinged by the Storm, but no longer pigeonholed by our dark days.