St Roch Project


	Overview Neutral grounds are a unique and important part of New Orleans. They provide a formal open space to the compact neighborhoods and enhance corridors throughout the city. Along with Independence Square (St. Roch Playground) and the St. Roch market, the neutral ground on St. Roch Avenue serves as an important civic and social element in the neighborhood. It is a gathering space and was originally built at the turn of the 20th century with a concrete walking path, benches, and many live oaks. Historic images of the St. Roch Avenue Neutral Ground. (click to view larger) Today the St. Roch Avenue neutral ground is still an important part of the neighborhood, but has not been well maintained. The Oaks have grown creating a beautiful canopy, yet the concrete walkway has disintegrated, discouraging circulation and undermining the wonderful planning of the neighborhood. We plan to install an Artwalk on the Neutral Ground of St. Roch Avenue, extending 6 blocks from the historic St. Roch Market to Independence Square. The FSRP team envisions the Artwalk as both a large-scale civic art project and a way to focus and build neighborhood pride. Landscaped greenery will be used to enhance the Artwalk and the magnificent old oaks. Images of the new walking path on the St. Roch neutral ground (Click to view larger) On May 28th, 2008 we announced an open competition inviting national and local artists to participation in the collaborative design of an 8 feet wide by 6 blocks long Artwalk - a monument to the rebirth of New Orleans and the St. Roch neighborhood down the center of St. Roch neutral ground. Selected artists will be asked to work together with the community to incorporate ideas about the local history, culture and spirit into art. The Artwalk will become a tapestry of the lives of the neighborhood. Their ideas will be woven into an inspiring and harmonious design in a way that creates an outdoor living room for the community. The St. Roch Artwalk is a way to enhance the every day lives of this resilient community and to contribute to the shaping and rebuilding of New Orleans culture. A nationally recognized civic artwork has the potential to attract locals and tourists to participate in the neighborhood culture and economy, and make a place for art in the daily lives of a community in need. The Faubourg St. Roch Project, in partnership with the Arts Council of New Orleans and the Office of Recovery and Development Administration, is pleased to announce the selection of an artist for the St. Roch Art Walk project. Jefre Figueras Manuel, an inventive public art artist from Orlando, Florida will work with the St. Roch neighborhood residents to create an inviting public space on the St. Roch neutral ground from Marais St. to North Roman St. The Arts Council will host public forums for community members to meet the artist and initiate this exciting new project. Mr. Manuel, known nationally simply as JEFRË studied at the Art Institute of Chicago prior to receiving a Bachelors Degree in Landscape Architecture from The Ohio State University. This past year JEFRË was accepted to the prestigious Architecture Association in London where he studied Morpho Ecology before starting his couture landscape studio at The City Arts Factory in Orlando. He is recognized for creating spaces that are original, forward thinking and unexpected. His past projects have included installations for the University of Central Florida; Florida's first operational residential green roof garden; Orlando City Hall Green Roof and the transformation of two 600 foot-long piers into public parks at the Jacksonville shipyards recycling old shipping containers and cranes into planters and swings. JEFRË is expanding his focus to public art projects that give back to the community through environmental art. On November 1, 2007 we received a letter from the City of New Orleans' Office of Recovery Management showing their commitment and support of the St. Roch Artwalk. Download .pdf of the letter








	Overview