NEW ORLEANS, LA — Arts New Orleans and the New Orleans City Council unveiled Voices of the People, a new site-specific public art collection commissioned for the New Orleans City Council Chamber through the City of New Orleans Percent for Art Program.
On June 2, 2026, artists, civic leaders, and community members gathered at New Orleans City Hall to celebrate the unveiling of Voices of the People. The event included remarks from City Council President J.P. Morrell, Council members representing each district, and Fredric Delahoussaye, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy, recognizing the significance of bringing this new collection of public art into the Council Chamber.
Voices of the People brings together five New Orleans artists to create works representing each City Council district and reflecting the histories, cultures, communities, and identities that shape the city. This project was commissioned through the City of New Orleans Percent for Art Program, managed by Arts New Orleans.
The collection includes:
- The Fabric of Our Neighborhood: A Community Quilt by Sean G. Clark (District A)
- Roots Standing Upright: Grounded in Labor, Lifted by Legacy by Teneille Prosper (District B)
- Justice, Faith, and Power by Alina Allen (District C)
- Reverence by Langston Allston (District D)
- Along the Way by Hozé Da’Ra (District E)
Installed in the Council Chamber, these artworks transform a civic space into a reflection of New Orleans’ cultural landscape while honoring the voices, stories, and lived experiences of residents across all five districts.
“Voices of the People demonstrates how public art can transform civic spaces into places of reflection, representation, and connection. This marks the first site-specific interior collection commission through the Percent for Art Program, and we are honored to work with the City Council and these five local artists to create artworks that reflect the communities and cultural identities of New Orleans,” said Noni Clemens, Director of Public Art & Commissions.
“I am thrilled to have these five fantastic pieces of art in Council Chambers for the public to view and enjoy,” said Council President J.P. Morrell. “These pieces represent the spirit and tenacity within each Council District, and I look forward to viewing them for many years to come.”
Arts New Orleans has administered the City of New Orleans Percent for Art Program since its establishment in 1986, commissioning and stewarding more than 400 public artworks—including sculptures, murals, paintings, and installations—throughout the city. Voices of the People marks the first multi-artist interior collection commission through the Percent for Art Interior Program.
About Arts New Orleans
Arts Council of New Orleans, dba Arts New Orleans, is a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1975 and designated as the official arts agency for the City of New Orleans. The organization supports public art and artists, creating work that inspires, connects, and enriches the community through creative expression.
About the City of New Orleans Percent for Art Program
The City of New Orleans Percent for Art Program commissions public art projects that enrich civic spaces and reflect the cultural vitality of New Orleans. The program is managed by Arts New Orleans on behalf of the City of New Orleans.