Meet the Artists of Jamnola on Frenchmen
Adriane Butler
Marie Clawette
Adriane Butler is a self-taught seamstress from New Orleans who creates one-of-a-kind wearable art from vintage and wax print fabrics. She founded Lasalle & Jackson™️ in New Orleans as an homage to the beautifully stylish women in her family. The brand celebrates the African and Caribbean influences that are integral to the DNA of New Orleans. Lasalle & Jackson ™ embodies the soulful vibes, Carnival spirit, and festival dynamic of her hometown, creating a material manifestation of its rich cultural heritage.
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Anthony DelRosario
Big Easy Speakeasy
Anthony DelRosario also known as anthonyturducken, is a cultural documentarian from the South. Born in Memphis and blossomed in New Orleans, Anthony uses photography, printmaking, and digital design to capture and interpret the culture hidden in everyday life. His work delves into the rich tapestry of Southern life, uncovering the nuances and stories that often go unnoticed. Anthony’s keen eye for detail and his ability to blend traditional and modern techniques allow him to create compelling visual narratives that resonate with a wide audience. His art is a celebration of the everyday, transforming the mundane into the extraordinary. Through his lens, Anthony invites viewers to see the beauty and complexity of Southern culture, offering a fresh perspective on familiar scenes. His dedication to his craft and his passion for storytelling make him a distinctive voice in the world of cultural documentation.
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Artemis Antippas
Golden Feast
Artemis Antippas is a multi-disciplinary artist born and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans. She received her BA in Communications and Art History from American University in 2008. Artemis’ work spans several mediums and various forms –site specific installation, photography, video, sculpture– often inspired by her intense relationship with New Orleans. Her exhibitions include the Urban Institute of Contemporary Arts (Grand Rapids, MI), Katzen Arts Center (Washington, DC), and The Dairy Center of the Arts (Boulder, CO), as well as multiple venues in New Orleans including the Contemporary Arts Center, Ogden Museum of Southern Art, Barrister’s Gallery, and Ferrara Showman Gallery. Artemis’ material choices are informed by her personal experiences and numerous obsessions, presenting diverse bodies of work that push the boundaries of traditional mediums.
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Basqo Bim
Mouth of Tatan
Basqo Bim is a Colombian-American artist specializing in assemblage and sculpture. Based in New Orleans, he is a member of The Front, Colectiva Manos, and IATSE Local 478. With a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of South Carolina, Basqo’s narrative-driven shows explore personal and cultural tensions, pushing creative boundaries to immerse viewers in new worlds.
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Brennan Steele
Belly of the Beast
Hailing from New Orleans, Brennan Steele's entire life revolves around making. A former architect, Brennan has turned his love for design into a specialized career crafting gigantic props for Mardi Gras floats out of styrofoam. It's the kind of job makers of all types dream about.
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Catherine Todd
Soup du Jour
Catherine Todd is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Where Y’Art Works, as well as the Creative Director and Experiential Designer behind JAMNOLA on Frenchmen Street. A proud native of New Orleans, Cat is an art advocate, entrepreneur, consultant, and artist. Cat earned her BFA from Auburn University, where she discovered the transformative power of art to inspire, connect, and communicate universally. With over 30 years of experience as a graphic designer, art director, and creative strategist—spanning both corporate roles and her own branding and design business, Mama Roux Studio—she returned to New Orleans with a mission: to improve lives, enrich culture, and transform communities through the power of local art. This mission led to the founding of Where Y’Art Works alongside her business partner, Collin. The platform is wholly dedicated to fostering a thriving future for local artists and strengthening the New Orleans art community. Over the past decade, Where Y’Art Works has collaborated with over 200 local artists on more than 250 commercial projects, including JAMNOLA. Through these efforts, $3.2 million has been reinvested into cultural economies across Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
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Chad Smith
Big Easy SpeakEasy
Chad Smith, a graduate of Massachusetts College of Art, prides himself as a world traveler and embracer of all cultures. His influences are rooted from the places he's been and the people he's met along the way. As a resident of Bywater, his concern for the environment highly influences his art. His use of and attention to recycled and up cycled materials are apparent in his work. As the son of a photographer, Sanford B. Smith, photography runs though his veins and his eye is trained to compose. His photography pays attention to our natural environment and the impact man has on it, often documenting the erosion and decimation of our living space by man himself.
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Eli Pillaert
Desire
Eli Pillaert is a multidisciplinary artist whose work explores the interplay of Southern rituals and revelry, offering both a reflection on and a response to environmental and social upheaval. Inspired by the ever-shifting delta watershed and the lush native flora of the Gulf South, Pillaert creates immersive oil paintings, ceramics, textiles, and community-driven public art installations that celebrate and critique the region's intricate identity. Themes of queerness, maturity, race, and religion are central to Pillaert’s life and artistic practice. Pillaert’s work has been exhibited at the Amarillo Museum of Art, featured in The New York Times, and featured in a variety of unconventional and public spaces. As a member of a mural team composed of 10 women, she contributes to impactful large-scale projects that amplify collective creativity.A native of Houston, Texas, Pillaert earned her BFA from Tulane University in 2020, since she has focused her practice within the vibrant artistic landscape of New Orleans.
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Farris Armand
Spaceship NOLA
Farris Armand is a multi-disciplined visual artist whose style is deeply influenced by the vibrant and colorful city of New Orleans, where he was born and raised. His mission is to explore the arts and amplify its perspectives in impactful ways. Farris’s work spans various mediums, including painting, sculpture, and digital art, each piece reflecting the magic and energy of his hometown. He draws inspiration from the city’s rich cultural heritage, its music, festivals, and the everyday life of its people. Farris is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of his creativity, constantly experimenting with new techniques and materials to create art that resonates with a wide audience. His work not only celebrates the beauty of New Orleans but also addresses social issues, aiming to provoke thought and inspire change. Through his art, Farris seeks to connect with viewers on a deep emotional level, inviting them to see the world through his eyes.
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Hozè Da'ra
Street Mural
Hozè Da’Ra is a surrealist artist deeply inspired by the works of Salvador Dalí and Alex Grey, blending dreamlike elements with vivid realism to explore the hidden truths in everyday life. Using acrylic and oil paint as his primary mediums, Hozè Da’Ra aims to convey profound messages that reflect his personal philosophy: the belief that every individual holds a deeper truth within themselves, often overlooked in the rush of daily life. His work acts as a mirror, showing viewers a reality they might not have noticed, opening their minds to new perspectives. Beyond his personal creations, Hozè Da’Ra is deeply committed to his community, volunteering his time at the YAYA Art Center in New Orleans. He is also a key member of the Axiom Art Gallery, working with a team led by Ceaux Young to create vibrant murals throughout the city of New Orleans, blending art with community service and urban renewal.
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Jacob Reptile
Standin' Bayou
Jacob Reptile left New Orleans to earn a BFA in Fiber Art from the Kansas City Art Institute. Returning with a passion for textile, wearable, and green art, he founded the Aquarium Gallery and Studios in the Bywater neighborhood. Despite a devastating fire in 2016, Jacob rebuilt the space, fostering a community of artists. His work focuses on fiber art inspired by nature, highlighting environmental issues while bringing joy.
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Jane Tardo
King of Da Mardi Gras
Jane Tardo is a New Orleans-based artist whose work combines textiles, public performance, and conceptual art, drawing inspiration from modern Americana, environmental disasters, and dreams of utopian futures. A 2024 Joan Mitchell Artist in Residence, Jane’s vibrant works offer joyful solutions to daily challenges while reflecting on the interplay between reality and fantasy. Partnering with Jane, Benjamin Harlow brings his expertise as a technology specialist and interdisciplinary artist. Together, they are best known for The Haunted Hearse Rollercoaster Ride, a project that fuses Jane’s imaginative artistry with Benjamin’s mechanical precision, embodying their shared passion for storytelling and community engagement.
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Jeremy Paten
Down the Drain
Jeremy Paten is a visionary artist who seamlessly blends the analog and digital worlds. With a keen eye for the nuances of art and design, he harmoniously integrates both in his work. An avid researcher and gardener, Jeremy draws inspiration from nature, culture, and travel. With over 14 years of experience, he excels in creating large-scale murals and paintings, designing visual identities and marketing materials, and crafting custom illustrations.
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Joel Scilley
What’s Your JAM?
Joel Scilley was born and raised in Florida and studied art, architecture, and design in New York and Europe before earning a PhD in Media and Cultural Studies. After leaving academia in 1997, Joel returned to designing and making things as a renovation carpenter in the California Bay Area. His carpentry evolved into fine woodworking, leading to the creation of his first turntable and the founding of Audiowood in 2008. Joel’s designs have been featured in exhibitions across the US, and he has been recognized as a “Person to Watch” and a “Tech Designer to Watch.” He holds a patent for an innovative modular housing design and is currently working on a series of organic, kinetic sculptures called “Hybrid Relics.” Joel has lived in New Orleans since 2013.
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Julianne Lagniappe
Fountain of You / Rougerie
Lagniappe is a Creole word for ‘a little something extra,’ and to this artist it represents the grace of life. "It’s a philosophy I turn to, and it’s abundant in my life and work.” A native New Orleanian artist, Julianne currently specializes in costume design and garment making. She has been sewing for 25 years. She also does acrylic and watercolor paints, knitting, serious glue gun crafting, and home decor projects. Her work is informed by the celebration and easy life of Mardi Gras, her travels, especially to Burning Man, and unexpected opportunities Julianne sees as a well-made garment as the key to a successful adventure.
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Kari Lee
Takin’ it to the Streets
With over 30 years in the production and event industry, Kari has put her strengths, knowledge and love for New Orleans, where she currently resides, into bringing her Baby Doll inspired umbrellas to life. She is a Baby Doll for Big Chief Monk Boudreaux's Golden Eagles Mardi Gras Indian Tribe. She has permanent installations in the lobby of the Indigo Hotel/New Orleans and in the Chicago Field Museum. She also has an Etsy shop where her one-of-a-kind, second line, parasols have been created for the likes of Jon Batiste and Vera Wang.
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Maggie Bard
Absinthe Garden
Maggie Bard is a New Orleans based visual artist working in drawing, specifically through the intricate techniques of pen and ink. She received a B.F.A in printmaking from Pratt Institute in 2010, and completed additional programs at Massachusetts College of Art and the School of the Art Institute Chicago. Her background as a principal screen printer and studio manager has equipped her with extensive experience in implementing large-scale exhibitions and installations. Her current body of work references her fascination with esoteric naturalism of the gulf south, utilizing these themes to depict a sense of liminality and fantasy within a sub-tropical landscape. This combination of large-scale project management and fine line artistry allows Maggie to bring a unique and detailed perspective to every piece she creates.
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Marcus Brown
Pirogue
Marcus Brown is a native of New Orleans and a multifaceted artist, encompassing roles as a sculptor, painter, inventor, musician, and educator. He holds an M.Ed. from Portland State University and a BFA from the Kansas City Institute of Art (KCAI). Marcus’s expansive body of work includes national and international exhibits and performances in New York City, Berlin, Germany, Krakow, Poland, Venice, Italy and Seoul, South Korea. Mentored by the late Lin Emery, John T. Scott, and Jim Leedy, Marcus developed Electro-sonic Painting, a unique form of painting with sound-producing instruments. His innovative storytelling through Augmented Reality (AR) sculptures, such as the “Slavery Trails” series, reflects his commitment to blending art with technology.
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Melissa A. Weber
Music Curation
Melissa A. Weber is an artist-scholar and music historian whose areas of interest and expertise include 20th century popular music, the music and culture of her native New Orleans, and archives. Her expertise and research has resulted in writing and/or presentations for the American Musicological Society, Association for Recorded Sound Collections (ARSC), International Association for the Study of Popular Music, NPR Music, Radio Preservation Task Force at the Library of Congress, and Society for Ethnomusicology, among others. Professionally, she serves as curator of the Hogan Archive of New Orleans Music and New Orleans Jazz, a unit of Tulane University Special Collections. As an adjunct professor, she teaches History of Urban Music at Loyola University New Orleans. In her spare time, and under the moniker of Soul Sister, she has hosted her Soul Power show on WWOZ FM New Orleans community radio station for over 30 years as of 2024. As a performance DJ, she has shared stages with artists ranging from Questlove to George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic and was the first DJ to receive a prestigious Big Easy Entertainment Award. As a music lover, her extensive personal collection of over 10,000 records earned her a spot in the 2014 book Dust & Grooves: Adventures in Record Collecting and the documentary Dig We Must, slated for summer 2025 release.
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Ojo Akinlana
Scales of Tatan
Ojo Akinlana is a multidisciplinary artist from New Orleans, known primarily for his acrylic paintings. His work pushes the boundaries of reality while challenging viewers with bold statements. Akinlana frequently evokes dreamlike imagery, blurring the line between the figurative and the imaginative. Akinlana has been painting his entire life. He found his comfort and style while attending NOCCA and continued his education at Pratt Institute's 3D animation program.
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Rocky Tornabene
Resin Floors - Standing Bayou, Big Easy SpeakEasy, Desire
Rocky is a proud third-generation native of New Orleans. He joined the Navy at the age of 17, which allowed him to travel to over 12 countries. After receiving an honorable discharge, he sought a career that would enable him to continue exploring the world, and he found that passion in the music industry. For more than half of his life, Rocky has worked as a Sound Engineer, touring globally with renowned acts such as Dr. John (Rock & Roll Hall of Fame), The Neville Brothers, and Little Feat, among others. His career has taken him to an impressive total of 32 countries. Following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Rocky relocated to Colorado, where he discovered a second home amidst the majestic mountains. It was here that he uncovered his artistic talent. After 19 years in Colorado, he is thrilled to return to his roots in New Orleans in 2024. After some serious soul-searching, he decided to retire from touring to focus on his art. His deep commitment to New Orleans music, food, and culture serves as a significant source of inspiration, evident in his work. Rocky's art can be viewed exclusively at La Jardin Art Gallery (612 Royal Street), situated in the heart of the historic French Quarter, as well as at both Disco Warehouse art galleries located in New Orleans. He credits his success in the art world to his daughter, Elizabeth Tornabene, who first introduced him to this medium and taught him everything he knows. Rocky is available for commissions and aims to make his art accessible to everyone, willing to work within almost any budget.
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Shel Roumillat
The Canopy
Shel Roumillat is a costume design and installation artist whose work is dedicated to inspiring joy through immersively transforming bodies and spaces. She is a native of Charleston, SC, mom of two amazing young adults, a lover of sewing, millinery, live music, and history, and a proud advocate for sustainability, especially when it comes to the reduction of waste during Carnival season. Shel moved to New Orleans in 2001 to pursue a doctorate in History at Tulane University and developed a deep reverence for the history of New Orleans, as well as an obsession with local parading and costume culture. She received her Ph.D. in 2013, but left the academic world to explore her passion for costuming as an independent designer for hire and the owner of a sustainably sourced DIY costume lovers dream store. Her costumes have adorned parade marching Krewes, float riders, performers, musicians, business mascots, and local revelers for over twenty years. From 2014 to 2021, Shel owned and operated The New Orleans Costume Center, a boutique costume shop that specialized in the sale of handmade costumes by local artists, preowned costumes, and salvaged costume making supplies. In 2020 she joined the JamNola team as the designer and curator of the Costume Closet, a space which showcased the work of several local costume makers and featured permanent costume inspired installations made by Shel. Shel has remained active as a JamNola artist since its opening creating numerous new costumes and installations for the Costume Closet over the years. In 2021, Shel closed her store to focus full time on creating art in any form that encompasses all of her varied fascinations and challenges her ever evolving skill set. When she is not making costumes or installations for clients, she is working as the Art Director of Fete du Void; a music, art, and wellness festival in Oakdale, Louisiana. Shel is also part of the staff at the local sewing and textile reuse non profit RicRack, where as the manager of the RicRack retail store she stays in touch with her sustainable entrepreneurship and her love of talking to makers of all kinds.
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Skye Erie
Mr. P in the Tree / Garden of Legends
Skye Erie is a New Orleans-based artist renowned for her site-specific, large-scale sculptures and installations. Her passion lies in creating immersive art experiences that captivate and inspire. Skye’s notable works include the Garden of Legends exhibit at JAMNOLA on Royal Street, a 65-foot concrete alligator at Palmetto Island State Park, and the Lil Wayne sculpture at Willie’s Chicken Shack on Canal Street. Over the past nine years, she has also contributed numerous sculptures to the vibrant Mardi Gras celebrations, showcasing her talent for blending creativity with cultural traditions. Skye’s art is characterized by its boldness and attention to detail, often incorporating elements of the local landscape and community. She is committed to using her art to tell stories and evoke emotions, transforming ordinary spaces into extraordinary experiences.
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Tyler Ainsworth
Teeth & Head of Tatan
A native of Jackson, Mississippi, Tyler Ainsworth has lived in New Orleans since 2011. He balances his professional life as the owner of Cataleya Custom Build, LLC, a general contracting business, with his personal interest in artistic endeavors. Driven by a passion for community and celebration, Ainsworth loves to create art and build with his friends. He has worked on numerous projects in connection with Mardi Gras krewes, Burning Man, and music and arts festivals. His work reflects a blend of construction expertise, creative collaboration, and artistic expression.
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Ursa Eyer
GUTS!
Ursa Eyer (she/her/hers) is a native New Orleanian illustrator and artist. Ursa is a strange creature made of meat and bones. A grumpy stretch of skin. A lumpy mold. A storyteller. A drawer. A swamp dweller. An imposter. Her work features surrealist narratives and personal reflections woven together with weary hands. Ursa is sugar and snails. a fitful dream. An itch.
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Walker Babington
House of the Rising Sun
Walker Babington is an artist, actor, and stunt performer known for his large-scale dreamscape folk art sculptures. He creates images on reclaimed materials by exploiting their inherent deteriorative properties, using their existing patinas as his canvas. Through techniques such as burning wood, rusting steel, tarnishing copper, and other forms of selective corrosion, Walker has traveled the world producing his creatively-destructive work. Over the past twenty years, his unconventional art career has included working as a street artist in rural Costa Rica, using his flame-engulfed body to scorch a “Fire Angel” into wood, and creating large-scale fire-drawn murals in San Francisco, Annapolis, New Orleans, and Bangalore, India. Walker’s larger-than-life sculptures feature curved architecture, a storybook aesthetic, and his signature reclaimed materials. He lives in New Orleans, where he creates “heliography” by burning images into wood using magnifying glasses and sunlight at historic Jackson Square.
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William Nemitoff
Roots / Tree of Life
William Nemitoff received his Master of Architecture degree from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. During his studies, he focused on digital fabrication and innovative architectural structures, while also exploring multimedia sculpture under the guidance of glass artist Gene Koss. William’s work integrates cutting-edge technology with artistic expression, reflecting his commitment to pushing the boundaries of both architecture and sculpture.
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