While Frenchmen Street isn‘t the bustling music corridor it used to be at the moment, it’s become something of a modern art gallery.

Local graffiti and fine artist and YaYa grad Lionel Milton is in the process of creating what he calls a street gallery, with a purpose. To add to the original work painted by Josh Wingerter on Frenchmen’s boarded-up music venues, Milton is painting the Maison and the Dragon Den’s boarded-up doors and windows along Frenchmen Street with the mission of sending a message of hope and art, with an original “street gallery.”

The Maison and Dragon’s Den spaces will be panited with with coronavirus-inspired images, along with a touching tribute to 25-year old Ahmaud Arbery, the black jogger recently gunned down in Georgia.

Milton says, “I want to do this to connect to the community. All of us are impacted by this pandemic. If I can use my art as a way to reach people, I will. I just want to bring light in a dark time.”

Milton plans to paint images full of vibrant color, COVID-inspired scenes, and socially conscious images that touch the heart.

Right now, Milton plans to paint until he runs out of empty windows. When shuttered businesses reopen, the plan is to sell the art, and give a portion of the proceeds to organizations that he feels passionate about, such as YaYa and Iggie’s House (A Nia Renee Robertson Foundation).

Milton’s art is recognized by collectors and companies throughout the world. For decades his style has been full of energy and eclectically charming. Milton began his career as a graffiti artist when he was a teenager. He evolved and has since had art commissioned and collected by Uber, Capital One Bank, ESPN, Red Bull and many more.