METAIRIE, LA — Councilwoman Jennifer Van Vrancken, Entergy Louisiana, the Metairie Business Development District, Jefferson Chamber Foundation, Grace King High School, & Riverdale High School invite the media and residents to an unveiling of 112 linear feet of  student-painted murals on Tuesday, February 19th, 2019, at 11:00 a.m., located at the intersection of West Esplanade & Edenborn Avenues in Metairie. Ten students from Grace King High School’s talented visual art program and seven students from Riverdale High School’s talented visual art program were chosen to participate in the public art project. Each school contributed seven murals for a combined total of fourteen new murals decorating Fat City’s West Esplanade thoroughfare.

Under the supervision of Grace King instructor Jorge Castaneda, Grace King students Alexis Mejia, Negin Almassi, Nor Gorry, Michelle Vu, Tranae Carbo, Jasmine Chin, Jacquelyn Travis, Crystal Chen, Emily Kuylen, Sophia Galvan and, under the supervision of Riverdale instructor Phillip Whitmore, students Maria Alexeev, Samantha Barahona, Luis Bautista, Victoria Cristina, Michelle Nelson, Iliana Sanchez, and Jordan Yrle spent months brainstorming, sketching, and revising their designs for the fourteen mural panels.

The students chose to represent the people, animals, and scenes they feel make Fat City unique and memorable, with careful consideration shown toward how each span’s panels look and interact as unified, cohesive designs.

“These fence murals showcase the talent of our students and the culture of our community,” said Jefferson Parish Councilwoman Jennifer Van Vrancken. “I’m thrilled to have partnered with our schools, businesses, and community groups in furthering the beautification and vibrancy of Fat City.”

Jefferson Parish Councilwoman Jennifer Van Vrancken and Entergy Louisiana have equally provided for $20,000 in funding for art supplies, mural installation, and weatherproofing to ensure the murals will be enjoyed by the public for years to come. The Metairie Business Development District in coordination with the Jefferson Chamber Foundation provided project management with a donation of paint and other equipment from Helm Paint & Supply.