NEW ORLEANS – On Saturday July 5th, Ashé Cultural Arts Center in partnership with the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA), Arts New Orleans, and Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO Inc.), held the official unveiling of the River Rhythms Mural: A Tribute to Louisiana’s Afro-Indigenous People, at the Canal Street Ferry Terminal as part of the 25th Annual Maafa Procession. The large-scale public artwork pays tribute to the cultural heritage and historical contributions of communities rooted along the Mississippi River, especially Louisiana’s Indigenous, Black, and immigrant populations. 

The unveiling ceremony united civic leaders, cultural organizations, community members, and the mural’s artist collective in a shared celebration and moment of reflection. The event highlighted the power of collaborative investment in public art to educate, inspire, and uplift. 

Commissioned through a $175,000 collaborative investment—$150,000 from Arts New Orleans: City of New Orleans Percent for Art Program and GNO Inc., and $25,000 from the RTA—the mural was created by local artists Ayo Scott, Jessica Strahan, Marcus Akinlana, Ojo Akinlana, and Ayodele Owolabi. 

“This mural is more than a work of art—it’s a tribute to the cultures, histories, and communities that define New Orleans,” said Lona Edwards Hankins, CEO of the New Orleans RTA. “Through our continued partnership with Ashé Cultural Arts Center and support from Arts New Orleans and GNO Inc., we’re proud to help create a space that welcomes, educates, and inspires everyone who passes through the Canal Street Ferry Terminal.”  

“River Rhythms is a spiritually electrifying addition to the iconic landscape of riverfront New Orleans,” said Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes, CEO at Ashé Cultural Arts Center. “Ashé Cultural Arts Center is honored to have supported the creation of this mural, most especially to have witnessed the artistic process come alive under the genius craftsmanship of Marcus and Ojo Akinlana, Jessica Strahan, Ayodele Owolabi, and Ayo Scott.” 

 “This mural project is a powerful testament to the enduring spirit and contributions of Afro-Indigenous communities in Louisiana. By honoring the layered histories along the Mississippi River, these artists are not only reclaiming space but also inviting all of us to reflect on the legacy of those whose stories have too often been left out of the narrative,” said Jocelyn Reynolds, President and CEO, Arts New Orleans “We are proud to support work that brings visibility, dignity, and beauty to our shared cultural landscape.”   

“The River Rhythms mural brings authentic life to the ferry terminal and creates a permanent tribute on the city’s waterfront,” said Michael Hecht, President and CEO, Greater New Orleans, Inc. “This piece is more than just public art; it’s a statement about the people of New Orleans and the culture that thrives here. GNO, Inc. is proud to help elevate a space so many people pass through every day, while increasing visibility for Ashé, a cultural anchor that continues to shape the city and region."  

The River Rhythms mural, now permanently installed on the original arcade wall of the recently renovated Canal Street Ferry Terminal, visually explores themes of race, justice, housing, health, education, environment, and transportation. It transforms a vital transit location into a cultural destination that celebrates the identities and experiences that have shaped New Orleans. 

The official unveiling took place during Ashé Cultural Arts Center’s 25th Annual Maafa Procession, a longstanding community ritual honoring African ancestors through remembrance, artistic expression, and collective healing.

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The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority is a political subdivision of the State of Louisiana which is operated by an independent Board of Commissioners that serves Orleans, Jefferson and St. Bernard parishes. The agency operates car and passenger ferries, fixed-route buses, paratransit, streetcar, and limited on-demand service.