Tulane University

This fall, Tulane University will host the Brazil-based graffiti artist collective Grupo Opni. Grupo Opni is graffiti artist collective from São Mateus, Brazil with a mission of using art as a medium to celebrate Afro Brazilian culture and as a vehicle to provide a voice for disenfranchised groups from the periphery. Formed in 1997, Grupo Opni has since won many national awards for graffiti art in Brazil such as “Best Graffiti Group” in (2012: State of São Paulo) and “Best community project” in the “Cultural Territories Category” (2015: Governor’s Award). The group is also known for developing works for various artists in the Brazilian music scene such as MC’s, Crioulo, MV Bill, Dexter, Emicida, Charlie Brow Junior, O Rappa, Banda Black Rio, Ponot de Equilíbrio, among others. Opni is returning to New Orleans after participating in the 45th Jazz and Heritage Festival Brazilian Cultural Pavilion in 2014 and will be present at Tulane University September 11-12, 2017.

The Tulane and New Orleans community will have the opportunity to learn more about the collective’s mission and community art mural projects in a series of graffiti and mural demos, workshops, and discussions. You can catch Opni in the following spaces:

Sunday, September 10
3:00-7:00 PM
1930 Robert St.
Tulane’s Professor Annie Gibson will host a welcome event for Opni open to the New Orleans community. Mural demo, music, and welcome.

Monday, September 11
12:15-2:45 PM
Hebert Lawn, Tulane University
Graffiti Project with Rosanne Adderley’s history class to recreate panels depicting slave rebellion in Brazil titled 1811 Rebellion and Palmares Rebellion in Brazil.

2:45-4:00 PM
Discussion and viewing.

Tuesday, September 12
9: 00 AM-12:00 AM
Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life Pocket Park, Tulane University
Opni will have a live graffiti demonstration around the themes of global understanding, breaking stereotypes, and intercultural learning titled Global Understanding.

2:00 PM-4:00 PM
Rosenberg Mezzanine of the Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life
Opni will be present to speak with students and discuss their work at Global Café (also in Pocket Park).

6:00 PM-8:00 PM
Paterson Changemaker RLC
Opni will participate in Taylor Tuesday Residential Life Community with participatory graffiti and demo.