The St. Bernard Port, Harbor & Terminal District has proudly become one of the first sponsors to participate in a project aimed at beautifying St. Bernard Parish.
Through a cooperative endeavor between St. Bernard Parish Government’s Parks and Parkways Commission and the New Orleans-based Community Visions Unlimited, St. Bernard Port has sponsored the painting of one of 20 traffic control boxes throughout the parish which are slated to feature artwork done by local artists that in some way depict the rich history of the parish or give a nod to the sponsor.
“St. Bernard Port is pleased to be part of a venture that not only promotes our contributions to the parish, but also beautifies our hometown and helps artists showcase their talents at the same time,” said Drew Heaphy, St. Bernard Port Executive Director.
Founded in 1994, Community Visions Unlimited is a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing New Orleans area neighborhoods through art, housing and empowerment.
According to Jeannie Tidy, CVU’s founder and chief operating officer, the organization started its utility box art program in 2010. Since the program’s inception, Tidy said, local artists have painted murals on more than 160 utility boxes all across the metropolitan area, including New Orleans, Metairie, the West Bank and now in St. Bernard.
“We came up with this idea for the boxes after (Hurricane) Katrina because so many neighborhoods were in dire need of beautification and a lot of artists were suffering from high rents and no work,” Tidy said. “I think it creates an appreciation for nature and the artwork, and it gives the neighborhood residents something beautiful to see.”
St. Bernard Port’s sponsored box sits on the corner of Jean Lafitte Parkway and St. Bernard Highway in Chalmette in a business parking lot on the north side of the westbound lanes.
The box dons maritime-themed artwork by local artist and Port employee Sydni Fornos. The painting highlights the Port’s smokestack, various ships, and wildlife.
Fornos, who is a lifelong St. Bernard resident, said she has been doing artwork for about 15 years, but this is her first public piece. She said the artwork took her about 15 hours to complete.
“It is really exciting because I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback from people who were passing by or those who have stopped at the red light,” said Fornos, who is a receptionist at the Port. “It’s nice to know people appreciate seeing something pretty rather than just a plain box.”
St. Bernard Parish’s partnership with CVU was made possible by Councilmember Howard Luna and Parks and Parkways Commission Manager Carly Jackson.
Jackson said the Meraux Foundation has sponsored a cultural arts-themed box on St. Claude Avenue near Mehle Street in Old Arabi which was painted by local artist Lenny Unbehagen. She said plans are in the works for the project to include approximately 18 more boxes throughout the parish between Arabi and Meraux in the months to come.
“We’ve received about seven more commitments so far,” Luna said. “Now there’s a big push to find local artists to sign up to do the boxes.”
Sponsors and artists are invited to participate in the program and can sign up by contacting Tidy at cvunola@gmail.com or (504) 957-5542. Information and application forms are available at www.cvunola.org/how-art-box-project-works.
Sponsorships cost $750. Paint and materials are furnished for artists and they receive a $250 stipend for their work.
Heaphy said the Port is excited to be involved in such a worthy endeavor.
“We are proud to be a part of something so unique that will make our parish even brighter,” Heaphy said. “It’s a great way for the Port to give back to the community.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.