After a pandemic hiatus from Carnival, the all-female marching krewe Dames de Perlage has revealed its theme for 2022: Dames in Plain Sight – The Hidden Street Art of New Orleans. Members are honoring street artists and their vibrant murals found on walls, fences, and anything else that becomes an outdoor canvas.

A beaded bodice by Dames de Perlage krewe member Caroline Rosa is inspired by a mural from artist Muck Rock.

“We pass by these creations every day as we go about our daily routines,” said Julie Lodato, one of the krewe’s two cofounders and Grand Dame. “They are right in front of us. They adorn almost anything you can think of—a fence, a wall, a forgotten building—and speak of the many faces and facets of New Orleans, from our musicians to second lines, political statements and our love of the weird. They are a running commentary on the current state of New Orleans. Yet not everyone notices them right away.”

Every year for the past ten years, the krewe of 60 artists has devotes countless hours designing and hand-stitching thousands of beads onto canvas fabric to create beautifully elaborate “suits,” primarily comprised of a feathered headdress and sparkly bustier. Due to the pandemic, the women had an extra year to focus on their Carnival theme, all the while keeping it a secret and maintaining contact through social media and COVID-safe meetings.

The beadwork on Cici Steiners’ corset for Dames de Perlage is based on a mural by Swan located behind Five Happiness Restaurant at 3605 S. Carrollton Avenue in New Orleans.

“These are precious pieces of art, celebrating our city’s culture and history, which is what this krewe is all about,” said Grand Dame Christine Clouatre, co-founder and Julie’s “partner in Carnival.” “They are fleeting scenes, representing the artistic talents and voices of New Orleans, in that they could disappear at any time. In fact, a few are already defaced or gone, from tagging, the wall owner’s change of heart, and even Hurricane Ida’s wrath. We Dames, in a sense, have curated the best of the best, preserving them in our beadwork.”

The Dames also devoted time to charitable fundraising since they last paraded in 2020. They beaded 50 palm-sized hearts to raffle and raise money for the Bless Your Heart Foundation, an organization helping southeast Louisiana recover from the damage of Hurricane Ida. They also volunteered to distribute free, healthy food offered through Culture Aid NOLA’s twice-weekly distributions to families facing food insecurity.

The Dames de Perlage will appear in three parades this Carnival season accompanied by the Big Fun Brass Band: Krewe of Freret on Saturday, February 19, Krewe of King Arthur on Sunday, February 20, and Krewe of Tucks on Saturday, February 26. The Dames will host a second line in the French Quarter on Lundi Gras, Monday, February 28.

For more information, visit the Dames de Perlage Facebook page. or email [email protected].