Friends of Lafitte Greenway in partnership with the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC) and Arts Council New Orleans is excited to announce the selected artist for the “From Parking to Plaza” public art commission, Will Nemitoff. 

Nemitoff’s project, “Iris of Memory,” will be a commemorative work recognizing the life and contributions of local artist, volunteer, mother, and teacher Deborah Vorhoff. The project will activate, celebrate, and transform the public space located at a critical crossroad related to New Orleans’ history, ecology, and bicycle and pedestrian circulation systems on the Lafitte Greenway. It will be installed on the parking pad of the former Brake Tag Station, where the Lafitte Greenway meets Bayou St. John and Jefferson Davis Parkway.

The project, possible by a gift from Elaine Ravich and the City of New Orleans Percent for Art program, will be installed in spring 2020. It will illuminate in the dark, and get brighter as users approach it.

Elaine Ravich says, “The Iris of Memory reminds us of the life of Debbie Ravich Vorhoff as it cherishes her artistic spirit, curiosity, and her love and joy with life and beauty.”

Friends of Lafitte Greenway congratulates Will Nemitoff for the selection, and gives our special thanks to our donors, Elaine Ravich and the City of New Orleans Percent for Art Program; the selection committee, Jose Cotto, Wes Michaels, Ashlei Morrison, Michele Thompson, Michel Varisco, and Greg Vorhoff; and our partners at NORD, City of New Orleans, and Arts Council New Orleans.