Internationally Recognized Artist Paints New Mural Downtown, First Installation of Unframed 2.0, Presented by The Helis Foundation

NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Internationally acclaimed artist Danaé Brissonnet will design and paint a new, colorful mural on the exterior of the Embassy Suites Hotel building in the New Orleans Arts District. A native of Quebec, Canada, Brissonnet’s mural design features an antique-style bestiary illustration of mythological animals and plants set in a narrative representation of New Orleans history. Featuring everything from Louisiana snapping turtles to Congo Square to oak trees and Mardi Gras, the fantastical mural will be a visual feast of colors, symbolism, and hope.

Brissonnet’s mural is the first installation in the second iteration of murals as part of Unframed presented by The Helis Foundation. Unframed launched in June 2019 with five murals located on buildings throughout the Arts District. A project of the Arts Council New Orleans, Unframed seeks to bring public art throughout downtown for all locals and visitors to enjoy.

“The Arts Council is grateful to The Helis Foundation for supporting Unframed and our work to enhance public spaces,” Arts Council Interim President Joycelyn Reynolds said. “At a time when our fairs and festivals are on pause due to public health concerns, Danaé Brissonnet’s mural is a celebration of New Orleans culture and resilience. We are honored to present her work and demonstrate how art can serve as a symbol of hope and healing for the city.”

“This mural acts as a capstone for our property’s full renovation, completed in 2020. Our intention was to create a backdrop for our guests’ experience that embraces our unique location here in New Orleans, bridging the gap between the Convention Center and the Arts District. We couldn’t be more grateful for The Helis Foundation and Arts Council for bringing the opportunity to showcase work from such a talented and acclaimed artist as Danaé, on a scale as massive as this,” said Jonathan Rogers, director of sales at Embassy Suites by Hilton.

For more information on Unframed presented by The Helis Foundation, a project of the Arts Council New Orleans, visit artsneworleans.org/unframed or thehelisfoundation.org/what-we-fund/unframed.

WHERE:

Embassy Suites Hotel Building Exterior (Riverside facing)

WHEN: Artist Danaé Brissonnet began drawing and painting the mural Tuesday, Oct. 13 and will continue for a few weeks. The project will take approximately 20 days to complete.