In the more than 30 years New Orleans artist Jamar Pierre has been creating murals, none has compared to the scope of the project he is working on now. His current undertaking, known formally as the “Tchoupitoulas Art Corridor,” reflects a lifetime of his work in visual arts, arts education and community service. Pierre is turning a mile-plus section of the Mississippi River floodwall into a sequential mural showcasing New Orleans history….

Big Chief Shaka Zulu of the Golden Feather Hunter nation is a New Orleans Black Masking Indian Craftsman, stilt dancer, musician, entrepreneur, and most recently – a 2022 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) National Heritage Fellow. Throughout his life, Zulu has successfully merged artist, culture bearer, and production roles, prioritizing African diasporic traditions. As an Ella Project client, he has participated in music industry workshops and received legal counsel to protect his intellectual property…

In early childhood Barriane already knew that she was an artist, describing herself as self-taught prior to kindergarten. Relying on YouTube tutorials and art books gifted by her supportive parents, Barriane became acquainted with drawing. Primary education focused on academics, and she later explored painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, and media arts at NOCCA….