Together, Towards Freedom

As part of Arts New Orleans’ LUNA Fête 2022, a free public festival celebrating light, art, and technology, Gabrielle Tolliver managed youth and lead artists from the Young Artist Movement (YAM) on an illuminated mural titled Together, Towards Freedom.

This illuminated mural examined the impacts of youth incarceration and imagined what it might feel like to live in a society without it, from the perspective of youth artists. The story was told through a narrative arc, with the mural beginning in the dark of night and concluding with the sun setting on a new day. The artwork explored the root causes of incarceration and the present-day challenges of growing up in New Orleans.

The central image of the mural, two people embracing, symbolized the power of community care. As the piece progressed, it transitioned into a flowering garden representing the students’ hopes for a future world that transcends the need for incarceration. During LUNA Fête, the mural was illuminated with ambient animations created by the “Wild Creations” YAM team.

The accompanying music track was composed by students from Upbeat Academy and Living School.