Autumn temps are setting in and what better time to hit the town and explore some public art? The city is bursting with it and we've put together some of the most interesting must-sees of the New Orleans public art scene, all in one handy map below. You'll find one of the few remnants from graffiti superstar, Banksy's, visit in 2008, a "singing" oak tree in City Park, gorgeous fountains, and sculpture galore. This is just a taste of what's out there so please do share your favorites in the comment section.
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New Orleans' Public Art Scene Is Wild and We Have The Map
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1. Popp Fountain
Diagonal Drive
New Orleans, LA 70124
New Orleans, LA 70124
This recently restored 60-ft. wide fountain in City Park was built in 1937. The cast bronze dolphin statues by sculptor Enrique Alferez are worth checking out.
2. Sculpture Garden in City Park
1 Palm Dr
New Orleans, LA 70124
New Orleans, LA 70124
Technically, not "public art" since it's owned by the NOMA, but over 60 sculptures are displayed in this stunning space, and it's free.
3. The Singing Oak
Near Big Lake in City Park, Jim Hart adorned this live oak tree with chimes - one 14-feet long - creating harmonized music in the wind.
4. Tree art
Orleans Avenue & Jefferson Davis Trail
New Orleans, LA 70119
New Orleans, LA 70119
A dead tree along Bayou St. John is transformed into a work of art by chainsaw artist (toughest title ever!), Marlin Miller.
5. Serpent Mound
Canal Street & North Jefferson Davis Parkway
New Orleans, LA 70119
New Orleans, LA 70119
Who says art has to be serious? This Steve Kline sculpture, installed in 1990, just begs to be crawled upon.
6. Spirit House
Saint Bernard Avenue & Desaix Boulevard
New Orleans, LA 70119
New Orleans, LA 70119
Dedicated in 2002, this sculpture by John Scott and Martin Payton celebrates the unnamed African Americans who contributed to New Orleans' building and culture.
7. Banksy's Rain Girl
North Rampart Street & Kerlerec Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
New Orleans, LA 70116
British graffiti artist superstar, Banksy, came to town in 2008 and this is one of his few remaining pieces here. It's covered in plexiglass but, sadly, still pretty defaced.
8. Re-Neavus
Saint Claude Avenue & Spain Street
New Orleans, LA 70117
New Orleans, LA 70117
Guerrilla sculpture at its finest. This Viking ship/rising pelican by Herbert Kearny, Jules Cote, and Josh Walsh went up in 2008 to coincide with the Prospect.1 exhibit.
9. Project Be
Alvar Street & North Dorgenois Street
New Orleans, LA 70117
New Orleans, LA 70117
While we don't condone busting into under-construction housing developments, Brandan Odums' "Project Be" deserves a shout-out.
10. Mandala
North Claiborne Avenue & Caffin Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70117
New Orleans, LA 70117
This ceramic and steel structure by Rashida Ferdinand is meant to represent hope, survival, and renewal in the Lower Ninth Ward.
11. Ocean Song
1 Canal St
New Orleans, LA 70130
New Orleans, LA 70130
A Lower 9th Ward native and Xavier Univ. grad and professor, James Scott said this sculpture represents the circle dances performed at Congo Sq., African instruments, and traditional jazz beats.
12. Zach's Tower
228 Poydras Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
New Orleans, LA 70130
The Sculpture for New Orleans installation along Poydras St. was created to perk up the post-Katrina landscape. This 26-ft. tall steel structure by John Henry might make casino losers a bit more cheery as they exit the premises.
13. Me, Knife, Diamond and Flower
925 Camp Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
New Orleans, LA 70130
This James Surls sculpture was installed in front of the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in 2008.
14. At Rest
Poydras Street & Camp Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
New Orleans, LA 70130
Jason Kimes' steel sculpture is also part of the Sculpture for New Orleans, a program to support public art by using large-scale outdoor sculpture.
15. Rain Towers
219 Loyola Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70112
New Orleans, LA 70112
Helen Escobedo's sculpture is fitting, considering the amount of rain New Orleans gets. Installed in 1986.
16. Ignatius J Reilly
819 Canal St
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans, LA
A life-size statue of the "Confederacy of Dunces" character holds fort outside the Chateau Bourbon Hotel.
17. Before I Die...
925 Camp Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
New Orleans, LA 70130
Chalkboard paint on the side of an abandoned house in the Marigny started the "Before I Die..." project by Candy Chang, where anyone can write in their hopes and dreams. Now up on the side of the Ogden Museum.
18. Out of There
500 Poydras St
New Orleans, LA 70130
New Orleans, LA 70130
Jazz-loving artist Clement Meadmore said, "It seems appropriate that it should have found a place in New Orleans" since this sculpture is meant to reflect the curves of the river.
19. Scraphouse
Convention Center Boulevard & John Churchill Chase Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
New Orleans, LA 70130
Installed in 2008, artist Sally Heller made this from steel drums, wood, wallpaper, and solar lights.
20. Isamu Noguchi fountain
1055 Saint Charles Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70130
New Orleans, LA 70130
The plaza of the old K&B Building not only has the Mississippi Fountain by Noguchi, installed in 1961, but ten other pieces of abstract art.
21. Professor Longhair Square
Tchoupitoulas Street & Napoleon Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70115
New Orleans, LA 70115
On the neutral ground outside Tipitina's is David Tureau's homage to the late, great Professor Longhair.
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