The Decorative Painting Apprenticeship Program is hosting apprenticeship classes in New Orleans, Louisiana through May 2008. DPAP is honored to contribute to the recovery of New Orleans by working on several structures within City Park, the 1,300-acre historic botanical garden and multi-use recreational public park in the heart of New Orleans.

Professionals and novices alike are invited to help with the recovery of New Orleans while learning faux and decorative painting techniques from experienced artists.

Sign-up for one or several of the following classes:

• Large Carousel Horse Mural w/Hakan Engstrom - April 7-10 - FULL
• Air Brushing Large Mural w/ Guillermo Jauregui - April 21-24
• Casablanca-style Mural w/Pat Strong - April 28-May 1
• Large Mural with Trompe L'Oeil w/Michael Cooper - May 5-9
  
• Large Mural with Trompe L'Oeil w/Michael Cooper - May 12-16

Click here for a full description of classes with dates. Lodging discounts have been arranged and transportation to the worksite will be provided. All classes are four or five working days and each class costs $595.

DPAP instructors and students will:

• Create a new large mural at the Bumper Car Pavilion depicting the history of New Orleans and will include a long Trompe L'oeil painting taught by nationally renowned muralist Mike Cooper.
• Work in several areas of the Casino Building, a Spanish Mission-style building dating from 1913 that will be used for weddings and is home to the Ice Cream Parlor.
• Ice Cream Parlor: Create an ice cream fantasy shop with mother of pearl ceilings; aluminum leaf work on ornaments, moldings, columns and counters; create a carousel horse mural; create fantasy Venetian Plaster Columns; and a harlequin pattern on the walls.
• Casino Building Exterior: Create a Casablanca-style exterior mural. Also using an air brush, create a trompe l'oeil rendering of windows + design and create an exterior mural in a niche on a 2nd floor Veranda.

According to Bernadette Forese, DPAP Director, "We'll teach some traditional decorative painting techniques and some new and innovative techniques while staying true to the architecture and time period. We'll use some very 'hot' products, such as Safra's Mother of Pearl™, which until recently required manufacturer training before purchase, and Veneziano™, a synthetic plaster that burnishes to a high polish with light troweling. Another great product we'll put to use is Perfetto's Portofino™, which is fantastic for its ease of use and shimmerous end result. The cutting-edge mural painting technique of Air Brushing will be taught on an exterior mural, too!"

Taking a class or two is a great way to improve your skills and give to a community that needs you. Students are encouraged to tack on a few days before or after classes to explore the gems of New Orleans. In fact, the final five classes coincide with the The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The Festival offers discounted airfare codes, see the website.

ABOUT City Park:
City Park dates to 1854 and is distinguished by its diverse recreational facilities, beautiful architecture and its natural beauty. The grounds are home to the New Orleans Museum of Art and Sculpture Gardens, the New Orleans Botanical Gardens, an old-time amusement park, leisure boating, tennis and golf facilities, equestrian barns, and open parkland.

The park is the largest recreation area for the New Orleans metropolitan area and it suffered greatly in Hurricane Katrina. It has been a long road to get City Park back to pre-Katrina days. Many of the attractions have been rebuilt and restored and are now open to the public.

We thank the following sponsors for helping us help New Orleans: