Number 1: “From Shreveport with Love” by Whitney Tates, Ben Moss, Linda Moss, Ka’Davien Baylor, and Lindsey Simpson.

It is located at the corner of Crockett St and Edwards St. This colorful postcard-esc design brightens up any day.

Number 2: “Unstrung” by Lynn Laird.

With all the hustle and bustle of life it is a good reminder that we aren’t the only ones who need a break every once and a while. It is located on the back of the Fairmount Apartments on Cotton Street.

Number 3: “Once in a Millennium Moon” by Meg Saligman.

Known by some as ‘that big mural downtown’ This mega mural was one of the largest publicly funded murals in the United States. It depicts many aspects of Louisiana life on the side of the formerly AT&T building. It is so large that it is visible from I-20, and according to the artist’s website is 30,000 square feet. It is located near Cotton Steet and Marshall Street.

Number 4: “Mandala Parade” by Brett Malone.

It is located across from the Shreveport Regional Arts Council; the building with the big dalmatian. Near Crockett Street and Common Street. It’s just so colorful, and I love looking at the patterns.

Number 5: “The Tiny Homes in Cush Alley” by Matthew Yerby.

It is close to the mega mural of ‘Once in a Millennium Moon’, it is a beautiful little moment in time. The way the artist added depth to the composition and was able to add flowers to an air-conditioning unit, makes the mural have a friendly quality. Located at 621 Marshall Street.

Number 6: “A Call to Action” by Ali Bahler with Lighting by Logan McDaniel.

That’s right, it lights up. Located at 199 Crockett Street.

Number 7: “Blue Scroll Mural” by Roberto Salas.

It is just adding color to a parking lot on Common and Texas Streets. It is reminiscent of the architectural details found above the doors on the old B’nai Zion Temple, (802 Cotton Street,) and brings some city pride into a simple place like a parking lot.

Number 8: “Given Enough Rope” by Jeormie Journell. 

What does it mean? I don’t know. A carrot man on a tight rope is just quirky and very fun. It is in the same general area as “Mandalas on Parade” and the Shreveport Arts Council. Located at 718 Crocket St.

Number 9: “All There is” by Tama Nathan.

Located at the Korner Lounge, it is bright and colorful. It is a sort of collage that feels like a cherished art project.

Number 10: “Frog Prince” by J. Ben Moss.

It’s in black and White, but the image of a girl sitting on the ground dreaming of her future is charming. Located at 919 Texas Ave. 

Where did the pins come from? Did you guys make them or have them made?

Tom: At my inauguration I had stickers…The idea for the sticker and the “I [Heart] Shreveport” came from Joe Sampite, the long-time mayor of Natchitoches. Everywhere Joe went he had stickers that said, “I [Heart] Natchitoches.” At the time I thought it was kind of corny, but the more I reflected on it, the more I thought he was really onto something. He created a whole sense of pride in Natchitoches. So I said, ‘Why don’t we try it in Shreveport?’ So that’s why it was in the inaugural address. Over time, people kept asking for something more permanent than stickers. One day, my Chief of Staff, Tari Bradford, said BRF wanted to do a photo op at its offices. When I got there, they gave me two boxes, each of which had 1,000 of these buttons in them. I had had a few buttons made, but literally a handful. So I was very cautious who I gave them to because I didn’t want to run out. So now we had 2,000 of them, and they lasted about three or four months. Then, we ordered 2,500 more (“Twice,” Elizabeth clarifies). The second

batch lasted a couple months so we ordered another 2,500 that we just got in a little while ago.“

This seems entirely organic to me. Are you guys surprised it’s caught on like it has?

Eliazabeth: Well, it is surprising but it’s something that when Tom was presenting these, it was really taking pride in the city. When you see someone else caring and loving your city, then automatically others will care about it. I think you said it the right way, it’s organic, it’s really more of a movement. To see that… that’s so wonderful, I’m so glad that other people love our city, and I’m hearing it more and more. Tom wears a button every day, and everybody wants one when they see it, ‘Where can I get those?’ We have them for free at the mayor’s office, they have a bowl with these at the entry, you can take one… we just ask that you wear it. But they’re free, ant there wasn’t city money involved. 

Tom: The thing that surprised me is that a large number of people wear them. They don’t just wear them when we give them to them, they wear them out in public, and people say, ‘Ilove that, where’d you get that? Well the mayor gave it tome,’ or ‘I picked it up at the mayor’s office,’ or ‘So and so gave it to me.’ These are people that say ‘I’d like to have some of those to hand out’ and we’ll give them a handful to do that.

50 Cent obviously loves this town now… just between the conversation you guys have had what has he said about it?

Tom: He really likes the fact that we’re able to get things done, and we were able to move the transactions for hi, very quickly. He wants to do some things that he thinks will be transformative for the city, and he is finding people willing to cooperate with him to do that. He appreciates that, I know that his professional people really appreciate it.

Where do you guys see this movement going on now?

Tom: I think people will continue, and we hope it will continue and spread.