On the corner of Kerlerec Street and North Claiborne Avenue, a bland building once stood. Now, a burst of blue, purple, and rich brown stands out against the concrete wall (1441 N. Claiborne Ave.), reminiscent of the bright suits the soul and R&B icon used to wear himself. The spray-painted image of Allen Toussaint (based on Glade Bilby II’s portrait) stares serenely over the busy street. The mural is part of the NOLA Mural Project and was painted by volunteer and New York native, Brendon Palmer-Angell. The mural took 5 days to finish. Throughout the process, the reactions of passing community members were the most rewarding for the artist. NOLA Mural Projects’s goal is to promote street art—inherently, public art—for the local community to connect with. Allen Toussaint’s mural joins a series of other classic and memorable black and local culture images found under the interstate bridge.
For more information on the NOLA Mural Project, check out nolamuralproject.com.
