Public Art
Monica Rose Kelly has art-directed and produced several collaborative public art installations, created with intentions to build community and instill a sense of pride in place. In 2020 she founded a non-profit collective called People for Public Art, the mission of which is to fund, document and create new public artworks in the city of New Orleans and beyond.
"Gumbo Botanica" triple mural
This massive 5,000 sq. ft. mural was initiated by Monica Rose Kelly via People for Public Art. Through fundraising and partnerships, a team of 6 local women artists and 9 New Orleans teens transformed the old blighted Beauty Plus building into a public art masterpiece, honoring the young artists with giant portraits and illustrating healing herbs that have influenced New Orleans cuisine.
"The New Orleans Queens of Sound & Soul" mural house
The Krewe of House Floats was born out of the creativity of New Orleanians when Mardi Gras 2021 was cancelled due to quarantine, and people dressed up their houses in place of parades. This mural house was created by a team of 10 women artists under the art direction of Monica Rose Kelly through the non-profit she founded, People for Public Art.
"Reaching Out"
This mural, completed in 2021, is a collaborative work by artists Gabe Tiberino, DISTORT, BAIN, and Monica Rose Kelly. Facilitated by Mural Arts Philadelphia, it is located in the heart of the Kensington neighborhood, at the epicenter of the U.S. opioid epidemic. The artists designed a narrative centered around healing and recovery from addiction, with Monica incorporating imagery of specific healing plants and flowers to emphasize the theme.
"Memorial for Bubba, Quinn, & Jose"
The memorial for the victims of the 1031 Canal building collapse, known as “The Hard Rock Three”, was installed adjacent to the site of the disaster on 10/19/20, the 1 year anniversary. This work was created in collaboration with artist Antonia Zennaro and a large group of women volunteers through People for Public Art, under the art direction and leadership of Monica Rose Kelly.
"The Spirit of Lower Mid-City"
“The Spirit of Lower Mid-City” is a public art installation created collaboratively by artists Monica Rose Kelly and Nik Richard. The project was commissioned by the City of New Orleans’ Percent for Art Program and facilitated by Arts New Orleans. This art walk of (22) laser cut Corten steel panels can be found on the neutral ground across from University Medical Center, on Galvez between Tulane and Canal.
