Our Story on WGNO: The Great Wall of New Orleans

Local artist turns concrete into a canvas to create ‘The Great Wall of New Orleans’

NEW ORLEANS — The Tchoupitoulas Street floodwall is being drenched in colorful history thanks to local artist Jamar Pierre, who’s making history himself as the first person in modern times to be granted permission to paint such a structure.

The name Tchoupitoulas is believed to be a Native American name meaning “those who live at the river.”

Jamar is one of the founders of New Orleans International Muralists, a group that’s adding beauty all around the city. Getting the permit from the Flood Protection Authority and the Army Corps of Engineers was a three-year process that he started in 2015.

When finished, The Great Wall of New Orleans will tell the story of the city, from its creation to current day. The images are inspired by the original painting, “Resilience,” which was created by Jamar and commissioned by the New Orleans Tricentennial Committee.