Billboards Featuring Dillard University Women's Basketball Players Displayed Around the City of New Orleans
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Reprinted by Dillard Athletics With Permission)
Complete PDF Release With Pictures of All Seven Billboards
New Orleans - Lady Bleu Devils is a billboard series by Ashley Teamer, NOCCA Graduate and current MFA student at Yale University, and Annie Flanagan, a New Orleans based photographer with a MS from Syracuse University. This project celebrates the history, community, and power of the members of Dillard University's 2018 - 2020 Lady Bleu Devils alongside archival photographs of players from the 70's and 80's. Elevating these players and coaches to skyscraper scale mimics the larger than life energy and historic significance that permeates Dillard's team, athletic department, and school.
The artists were inspired by the 1973 passage of Title IX, the 150th Anniversary of Dillard University, and Ashley's grandmother Mary Dixon Teamer who founded Dillard University's Lady Bleu Devils in New Orleans, Louisiana.
This series of billboards were funded by We, Women, additional gear was bought with support from Monroe Fellowship out of Tulane Center for the Gulf South.
Annie Flanagan is a photographer and journalist based in New Orleans, Louisiana whose work is rooted in the documentary format and focuses on gender and environment. "With this project we wanted to visually represent the dedication and layered experiences of this team, and, most importantly, celebrate these athletes," said Flanagan.
Ashley Teamer is an artist from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her multimedia artwork explores the nuances of Black femininity, time, and urban architecture through painting, collage, and video. "We wanted to insert Black women in the landscape of the city, highlighting the significance of the team," said Teamer.
This project would not be possible without the collaboration of the team and support of Head Coach Norbert Rome, Associate Head Coach Loretta Martin, and Athletic Director Kiki Baker Barnes, Ph.D.
"I want to thank Ashley and Annie for their outstanding work in featuring the Dillard University women's basketball program in this special exhibit," Dillard University Athletic Director Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes explained. "This project pays homage to Ashley's grandmother, Coach Mary D. Teamer, who started the Dillard women's basketball program, as well as all the Devilettes and Lady Bleu Devils throughout the years."
Special thank you to Brandi Theard, Account Executive at Outfront for her patience over the last three years and resounding support from the beginning.
The Billboards are up from November 30, 2021 - December 26, 2021. You can see them at the following locations:
3730 Bienville St.
2222 S. Broad & Thalia
S Broad Overpass
1011 Canal St. (Roof)
1724 McShane Pl
1701 N Rampart & St. Bernard Ave
I-10 E & Arts
Additional Information:
Ashley Teamer, Artist website
Annie Flanagan, Artist website
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Lady Bleu Devils is being displayed as an art exhibit at The Broadside (600 N. Broad St., New Orleans) starting on Wednesday, December 8 as part of the PhotoNola Opening Reception. Annie Flanagan and Ashley Teamer are two of the featured artists from the Photoville, We Women Campaign.
To purchase tickets for the event please click on this link. The $25 ticket will also include a drink ticket and a popcorn. Doors will open at 6 pm. with music from 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Their project can also be seen at the Lafitte Greenway (between Norman Francis and Salcedo) from now through January 31, 2022.