"New Orleans Queens of Sound & Soul" Mural House!

People for Public Art is raising funds for Phase II of our public art installation, the "New Orleans Queens of Sound & Soul" mural house! With the support of our community, we have reached our half-way point and have painted *21* portraits of New Orleans women in music on Tricia Diamond's home! Our goal is to transform this house on 1401 Laharpe into a permanent landmark and we will add dozens of additional portraits in Phase II. (** Scroll all the way down to learn more and see donor gifts!**)

People for Public Art kicked off this project by featuring this home in the Krewe of House Floats, as we have been inspired by the explosion of creativity adorning all the houses for Mardi Gras. But we are dreaming bigger, and the mural house on the corner will bring permanent change by colorfully uplifting the neighborhood.

OUR CHALLENGE TO THE COMMUNITY IS THIS: Match homeowner Tricia Diamond's $6,000 fence mural commission, and People for Public Art will hire a group led by female artists to transform this art into a fantastical house float AND permanent mural landmark for the New Orleans Queens of Sound and Soul.


Your generous contributions will fund the predominantly female New Orleans artist team producing this work for People for Public Art . We will hire at least 7 women artists to honor over 20 women musicians!

The funds will be used to purchase all paint and construction supplies, pay a fair market wage to our artists and installers, fund documentation/admin/fundraiser gifts, and will cover graffiti and UV protection varnish for the mural as well.

People for Public Art will be gifting large and small prints of these magnificent murals in gratitude of your support, and Tricia Diamond will be gifting Zoom dance classes! 

- $30 donation: 5x7" mini print of the mural house

- $50 donation: 8x10" fine art giclée print of the mural house

We'll reach out for your email and mailing address via GoFundMe, and send out the dance class links and gifts by Mid-April.


This house float's main sponsor is Tricia Diamond, a daughter of New Orleans with a multi-generational lineage in the music and culture of the 7th Ward.
After Hurricane Katrina, she dreamed of returning to the neighborhood to restore her family's deep generational roots. Tricia's long musical lineage includes her father Billy Diamond, who played bass for and later managed Fats Domino, and Shirley Goodman, who sang "Let the Good Times Roll" in Shirley & Lee. To commemorate Tricia's homecoming to the 7th ward, we gifted her with a mural of her father Billy on the fence. Since relocating, Tricia has extended this fence around the entire house, creating an opportunity to further expand the mural as participation in the Krewe of House Floats, with the theme "Ladies let the Good Times Roll!". More than a temporary celebration, the mural will be a permanent installation at the intersection of N. Villere and St. Bernard and a beacon signaling a new beginning for arts and music in the neighborhood. Tricia, an educator and dance teacher, hopes to some day open a dance studio in this new home. 


People for Public Art comes into the picture:
This past fall, artist Monica Rose Kelly founded People for Public Art with the mission to fund, document and create works of public art in New Orleans and beyond.  Their first project was a colossal memorial for the victims of the Hard Rock building collapse, which brought much healing and joy to their families and the community.  Once Monica and Tricia brainstormed the idea of honoring New Orleans women in music with a mural, they decided to engage People for Public Art to develop it into a major collaborative public art installation.

Our design will feature peace lilies, magnolias, and tropical foliage adorning the royal ladies, as they emanate musical joy from every single angle of the house. Check out our artist team:

Monica Kelly Studio  team, commissioned directly by Tricia Diamond  (@bosstwerk ):
- Monica Rose Kelly (@monicakellystudio )
- Tyla Maiden  (@tyla .the .creative )
- Antonia Zennaro  (@antonia .zennaro )

People for Public Art team, commissioned by You!
- Kara Crowley  (@artbykaramariee )
- Savanna Stephens  (@savartdesign )
- Breanna Thompson  (@onewhopaints )
- Madeleine Grace Kelly (@madgkelly )
- Nik Richard  (@nikrichard )

Featured New Orleans women musicians (click each to listen!):
- Shirley Goodman 
- Irma Thomas 
- Mahalia Jackson 
- Charmaine Neville 
- Sweet Emma Barrett 
- Doreen Ketchens 
- Erica Falls 
- Germaine Bazzle 
- Tarriona "Tank " Ball 
- Anjelika  "Jelly " Joseph 
- iCON the Artist 
- Sunni Patterson 
- DJ Soul Sister 
- Magnolia Shorty 
- Mia X 
- Cheeky Blakk 
- Robin Barnes 
- Rachel Jordan 
- Stephanie Jordan 
- The Original Pinettes Brass Band 
- Mia Borders 
- Big Freedia 
- The Dixie Cups 
- Blue Lu Barker 


If we exceed our goal, we will add another musician with each extra $500. We welcome our community to nominate additional New Orleans female musicians for the next phase of the mural:

- Chellene and Wynoka Boudreaux
- Lil Hardin
- 3D Na'Tee
- Wanda Rouzan
- Mama Jamilah and the women of Congo Square
- Quiana Lynell
- Betty Harris
- Wanda Joseph
- Nikki Glaspie
- Marva Wright
- Judy Hill
- Anaïs St. John
- Leyla McCalla
- Leah Chase (daughter of Leah Chase)
- Courtney Bryan
- Amanda Shaw
- Sula Spirit 
- Zena Moses
- Arséne DeLay
- Margie Perez
- Alynda Segarra
- Marcia Ball
- Lena Prima
- Mykia Jovan
- Meschiya Lake
- Katey Red
- Miss Tee

People for Public Art is a 501(c)3 organization with the mission to fund, document and create works of public art across the City of New Orleans and beyond. Your contributions are tax-deductible.
We are very grateful for your support of this inspiring project!