As New Orleans prepares for the 44th Jazz and Heritage Festival, thousands of fans are gearing up to see the bands and eat the food. But the festival has another, less-publicized aspect.
To many artists, Jazz Fest is one of the most important art shows of the year. The artists who are allowed to sell at the festival bring their own style and personal art to the show.
Jazz Fest is filled with a wide array of art. Woody Jones is one of the few people in the country who creates what he calls “mechanical amusements,” which are moving dioramas. Jones said his pieces do well at the festival, which is successful because of the variety of people who attend.
“It draws a crowd from all around the world,” Jones said. “Most of the orders I get there, I end up shipping out of state or out of country. I call it my California art show for the year because so many art buyers come from there to the show to buy art.”
Paul Pearman, who brings handmade mosaic belt buckles to the event, said the festival is incredibly lucrative for him, and it is one of the better art shows he goes to every year.
“I had people spend thousands of dollars with me last year,” Pearman said. “There are so many people there, and a lot of them are willing to spend a lot on good art.”
One of the most prominent pieces of Jazz Fest is the poster that it releases every year to promote the festival. The posters have become somewhat of a cultural phenomenon and are sought after as collector’s items. Many artists consider it a great honor to be chosen to create the poster. This year, New Orleans-based artist Terrance Osborne holds that honor for the fourth time.
“Jazz Fest calls you, you don’t call them, so to get the call is a huge honor,” Osborne said. “Doing the poster for the first time really elevated my career, and being able to do it more than that has been great.”
This year’s poster features the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, a staple of New Orleans music and a regular performer at Jazz Fest.
Osborne said Jazz Fest is one of the few art shows he attends regularly every year, and the festival is an amazing place for artists and art lovers alike.
“We always have a great time,” Osborne said. “I get to see all of my artist friends, and you can tell that everyone is having a great time.”
“Jazz Fest calls you, you don’t call them. So to get the call is a huge honor.”

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