New Orleans’ Premiere Mural Collection Unveils Legacy Artwork: Local artist Annie Moran to dedicate “The Welcoming Committee” mural with community celebration on Saturday, November 22, 1-2 p.m.
New Orleans, LA – Unframed presented by The Helis Foundation, a project of Arts New Orleans proudly introduces its 11th large-scale outdoor mural installation: “The Welcoming Committee” by local artist Annie Moran. Towering above the Girod Street overpass, the mural welcomes visitors to downtown New Orleans with vibrant, larger-than- life figurers. At its center, a Mardi Gras Indian Queen stands regally, arms outstretched in a welcoming gesture and surrounded by figures that celebrate the City’s diverse cultural traditions.
A public dedication ceremony will take place Saturday, November 22, from 1-2 p.m., featuring the artist, cultural bearers, local leaders, and community members. “Since its inception, Unframed has brought the vibrancy of New Orleans Arts District from the gallery walls into the streets,” said Jessie Schott Haynes, Managing Director of The Helis Foundation. “We are committed to providing access to world-class art for all New Orleanians and visitors. Through our partnership with Arts New Orleans, we continue to showcase innovative artwork from our city and around the world directly on the streets of New Orleans.”
A Collaborative Cultural Landmark
The Welcoming Committee was created in partnership with ASM Global, Zelia, Corporate Realty, Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District and Greater New Orleans Inc. The mural was completed in two phases, with the first finished in time to welcome visitors ahead of Super Bowl LIX.
“The Call for Artists requested designs that captured the creative and joyful nature of life in New Orleans,” said Joycelyn Reynolds President and CEO of Arts New Orleans “Annie’sartistry merges intricate detail with bold vision, making her an ideal choice for this high- profile project.”
About the Artist
A fine artist and designer, Annie Moran has long celebrated the nature and culture of her native Louisiana, particularly New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region. Her work spans watercolor and oil painting, murals, wallpaper and textile design. Though known for her interior mural work, The Welcoming Committee marks her first exterior, large-scale installation.
Born and raised in rural Louisiana, Moran’s childhood surrounded by lush natural beauty instilled a lifelong passion for capturing the region’s natural flora and fauna in her art. Her designs often feature motifs such as magnolias, birds, and palmettos, offering a modern interpretation of classic Southern charm. “New Orleans is so rich in cultural practices that it is impossible to represent every aspect, but I hope that I have presented a worthy summary through my design for tourists and locals alike to enjoy and appreciate,” says Moran. “My goal is to inspire viewers to contemplate the collective beauty of this city and its people and marvel at it in joyful reverence.”
The Artistic Vision: A Celebration of New Orleans
Designed to reflect the vibrancy and rhythm of New Orleans, The Welcoming Committee combines a classical composition with contemporary flair. Its imagery highlights the city’s music, cuisine, parade culture, and diverse heritage.
Key elements include:
• Cultural Figures: At the mural’s center stands a Black Masking Indian Queen, surrounded by figures representing New Orleans’ music, food, and parade traditions. These include brass band musicians, a Grand Marshall, chef, Zulu parade participant, young drummer, and violinist playing Cajun and Creole music.
• Natural Beauty: Louisiana’s native plants such as irises, palmettos, magnolias, and sassafras create a lush backdrop, while alligators, egrets, and pelicans add life to the composition. Cypress trees draped in Spanish moss frame the mural, anchoring it in the local landscape.
• Architectural Details: Decorative motifs inspired by Victorian shotgun houses and wrought-iron balconies adorn the borders, further grounding the piece in New Orleans’ unique architectural heritage.
-more-Unframed: New Orleans Premiere Mural Collection Unframed presented by The Helis Foundation, a project of Arts Council New Orleans, brings the vibrancy of the Arts District into public view. Launched in 2019, Unframed is the first and largest multi-mural exhibition, now featuring 11 murals by both local and international artists.
Limited-Edition Mural Prints Now Available
To commemorate the completion of The Welcoming Committee, Annie Moran is releasing a limited-edition fine art print replicating the mural’s full design. Only 200 giclée prints will be produced, each hand-signed and numbered by the artist. Printed with archival ink on 100% cotton, acid-free paper, each piece measures 36″ x 19″ with a 2″ border for framing. Prints have officially begun shipping in advance of the upcoming mural dedication. Special pre-order pricing is available through November 22, after which prints will be offered at the standard rate. Prints are available exclusively through www.anniemoran.com.
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