SING FOR HOPE PIANOS: PIANOLA TO LAUNCH IN NEW ORLEANS FOR THE FIRST TIME, MARCH 29–APRIL 13, 2022

Sing for Hope, in partnership with The Creole Connection and PiaNola, is proud to announce The Sing for Hope Pianos: Pianola, with 8 local artist-designed upright pianos in parks and public spaces across New Orleans. Part of the global Sing for Hope Pianos community initiative, these uniquely colorful piano artworks will be available for anyone and everyone to play, listen, interact with, and enjoy from March 29 to April 13, 2022. At the conclusion of their public residency, the Sing for Hope Pianos will be moved to permanent homes in schools and community-based organizations across the greater New Orleans area, where they will inspire lives for years to come.

Each Sing for Hope Piano instrument will feature original artwork designed by New Orleans-based visual artists and will appear at iconic locations throughout the area, including the Jazz Museum, City Park, the Green Project, New Orleans Healing Center, and more. Artists creating the one-of-a-kind art instruments include Kalli Padget, Preacher, Luna Fox, Trenity Thomas, Jai Love, Noah Church, Michaela Angelena, and Tracy O’Donnell.

The official unveiling of the 8 Sing for Hope Pianos will take place on March 20th, 2022 at Hotel Peter and Paul, with special performances by Tuba Skinny & the Romantic Ramblers. The pianos will then be moved to their specific locations on March 29, where they will remain available through April 13 for the public to enjoy. 

The Sing for Hope Pianos program began in New York City in 2010. Today, it is one of the world’s largest annually recurring public arts programs, with more than 575 one-of-a-kind piano artworks in public spaces spanning from The Bronx to Beirut, and from Aspen to Athens. Following this spring’s public installation in New Orleans, all 8 pianos will be transported to permanent homes in local schools, healthcare facilities, and community-based organizations, where they will continue to provide arts resources, programming, and joy to students and visitors. Participating organizations include Happyland Theatre, The Green Project, Scale Workspace, Antenna Works, New Orleans Healing Center, and the Creole Connection.

“New Orleans is one of our world’s most inspiring, resilient cities, and we’re thrilled to work with Adam Lozoya, Kalli Padgett, and the whole team here to share hope and healing through these beautiful community instruments,” said Monica Yunus, Sing for Hope Co-Founder. “There are so many reasons we’re overjoyed to bring the program to New Orleans, including the fact that it’s the hometown of our Sing for Hope Board Member and dear friend Jon Batiste. We had to do it!”

Continued Sing for Hope Co-Founder Camille Zamora, “Music and art bring people together, and as the world continues to emerge from the pandemic, Sing for Hope Pianos: PiaNola will spread vital moments of energy and connection. We’re so inspired by all the ways in which the community has rallied around to make this happen.” 

Kalli Padgett, Founder of  The Creole Connection and PiaNola Co-Founder, said, “The Creole Connection is thrilled to be working with Sing for Hope: PiaNola helping to create opportunities for artists and inspiration in the community for years to come. Our organization can see the impact Sing for Hope Pianos bring to our community as we combine our city’s love of music, art, and deep cultural roots.” 

Adam Lozoya, PiaNola Founder and Director, said, “Our beloved local music venues, businesses and community spaces began re-opening following a shift in COVID restrictions, then Hurricane Ida struck, making a direct impact on our city-funded music and arts programs. Our project started out as a small troupe of local artists and musicians wanting to spread joy in our community by placing one beautifully painted piano in our neighborhood park. It began to grow as we saw our community come together by volunteering and donating pianos and paint supplies.”

Continued Lozoya, “We would like to recognize Happyland Theatre, Hotel Peter and Paul, and New Orleans Healing Center for hosting our Sing for Hope Pianos, artists, and musicians; the Green Project for donating quality paints to our organization; and our amazing team of volunteers, piano technicians, and faithful donors. We are honored to partner with Sing for Hope, ensuring public pianos stay in our community for years to come!”