Sculptress Kim Bernadas unveils her latest work “Birth of a Muse,” in the Terpsichore finger park near Prytania. After Hurricane Katrina, the Percent for Art program focused on restoration of public art, and “Birth of a Muse” is the first new work commissioned since then. (Sabree Hill, UptownMessenger.com)
Crowds gather with the Arts Council of New Orleans and watch Dancers and musicians perform around “Birth of a Muse” before it is unveiled Friday evening. (Sabree Hill, UptownMessenger.com)
Photographs of Kim Bernadas working on “Birth of a Muse” hang on Terpsichore St. Friday evening. (Sabree Hill, UptownMessenger.com)
Crescent City Choreographers dance around ÒBirth of a Muse” before it is unveiled Friday evening. (Sabree Hill, UptownMessenger.com)
ÒBirth of a Muse” is silhouetted at sunset before it is unveiled Friday evening. (Sabree Hill, UptownMessenger.com)
Sculptor Kim Bernadas gets ready to unveil “Birth of a Muse.” The piece was commissioned by the City of New Orleans Percent For The Art Program administered by the Arts Council of New Orleans. (Sabree Hill, UptownMessenger.com)
“Birth of a Muse” is unveiled in the Lower Garden District Friday evening. “When the piece is installed on Terpsichore St. it will create another entrance point to the park guarded by a strong female figure; like Margaret Haughery at the Clio St. entrance, and Sophie Wright at the uptown end of the park system,” according to the Arts Council. (Sabree Hill, UptownMessenger.com)
Crowds gather to get a close look of ÒBirth of a Muse” after it is unveiled Friday evening. The new sculpture is a cast bronze figure representing one of the nine muses (Terpsichore), who are the namesakes of the Lower Garden District neighborhood. According to the artist, ÒThe Muses, according to Greek mythology, are goddesses who inspire the creation of the arts. They whisper in the ear, light the fire within, and stimulate the creative process of every artist. Expressed here is Terpsichore, emerging from a trumpet flower, to begin her life in celebration of music, song and dance. She beckons friends old and new to explore Coliseum Square and celebrate the natural and artistic beauty found in the neighborhood of the nine muses,” according to the Arts Council. (Sabree Hill, UptownMessenger.com)
