A Streetcar Named Inspire
The Young Leadership Council is currently working on its latest community art project:
A Streetcar Named Inspire art project will place 200 (!) streetcar‐shaped custom creations developed by local artists and sponsored by businesses throughout NOLA as part of YLC’s ongoing mission to inspire hope throughout the city. The streetcars will soon be placed around the city, and they will grace NOLA until early 2009 when they will be sold at auction. Proceeds from the sale of the streetcars will go to a yet‐undetermined public project.
The streetcars, designed by Steve Ulness of Mardi Gras Decorators, are to be approximately 6’ by 2’ and made of fiberglass. Here’s a picture of one “naked” at the recent unveiling:
Unlike YLC’s Festival of Fins project, the only requirement for the artists of A Streetcar Named Inspire is that design themes answer the question, “What inspires you about New Orleans?”
Things are just getting geared up for this project, and we are very excited to start seeing the works popping up around town. And like with the Fore!kids Fleur de Lis project, we (Pete and Nola) will be hitting the streets to get pictures of every last one of the pieces! As we learn of placements or other stories behind the pieces, we will post them. So stayed tuned. And keep your eyes on the look-out for these inspirational and uniquely-NOLA pieces of art.
If you are interested in being a part of the design process or in sponsoring a streetcar, please contact one of the project leaders, Amy Catalanotto, Michael Atwater or Jude Boudreaux, at streetcars@youngleadershipcouncil.com and tell them Nola and Pete sent you!
[...] Steve Ulness, a sculptor for Mardi Gras Decorators, is the artist of the streetcar sponsored by and located at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel. Ulness’ streetcar is entitled, “Greetings from New Orleans.” Ulness is also the artist that designed the streetcar blanks. [...]
those are fabulous.
i can’t get to new orleans any time soon, so i am so happy to be able to view them online.
i can’t imagine having to pick a favorite; and although i am sure the auction is necessary and will be wildly successful, it is a shame they will not be a permanent part of the great new orleans landscape.
kudos to all involved.