Storms or no storms, New Orleans has always been a lush, green, tree-lined city. From Twelfth Night through Fat Tuesday, NOLA adds purple and gold to that green during Carnival season.
Mardi Gras is now a little bit greener due in part to the combined efforts of environmentally-conscious artists like Stephãn Wanger and recycling organizations like the Arc of Greater New Orleans. Locals and tourists alike can help by supporting these green leaders and contributing to their green projects.
The walls of Galeria Alegria at 1924 Magazine are lined with photorealistic pointillist mosaics created by West German-born Mardi Gras Bead Artist Stephãn Wanger. Photos of these densely-beaded and intricate mosaics simply cannot capture the quality of craftsmanship and attention to detail Wanger focuses into each of these works of fine art.
The artist goes a step beyond expert craftsmanship to render an Earth-friendly message into his work. His mission is to promote the recycling of Mardi Gras beads and to support the City of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana.
He is currently working with local schools to inspire kids to recycle beads through the use of art.
Wanger wishes to inspire others to craft works of Mardi Gras bead art. He asks that people donate their unwanted beads to recycling centers like the Arc of Greater New Orleans.
Margie Perez is Mardi Gras Bead Recycling Coordinator at the Arc. Literally a warehouse for recycling Mardi Gras throws, the Arc accepts all throw donations and sells the throws back to Mardi Gras krewes, float riders, and those in search of rare bead finds.
Margie invites everyone to look for the Arc's float as it trails behind the Jefferson Parish parade ALLA on the West Bank and the Krewe of Morpheus Parade in New Orleans. The Arc float contains plenty of boxes lined up and waiting for clean unwanted throws immediately following the parade.
Now the public is asked to 'go green' during Mardi Gras season. Everyone is asked to help pick up those unwanted beads off the ground and donate them to the Arc.
Anyone who donates an unwanted bead to the Arc saves our landfills from non-biodegradable plastic. That same action helps the Arc generate revenue to employ local workers, and those workers help make riding on floats less expensive for riders.
Everyone wins.
Galeria Alegria is going to host bead sorting nights at the Arc of Greater New Orleans. Volunteers are needed. To find out how you can help Stephan Wanger in his efforts to recycle beads into works of art, go to the Galeria Alegria Facebook page.
The system is in place for a major revision of what New Orleans throws away during Mardi Gras. To find out how you can help donate during parades or at several bead recycling pick-up centers, go to arcgno.org.
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