New Louisiana license plates showcasing the arts now available

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — You may notice something new on the roads all around Louisiana, now that there is a newly-designed specialty license plate.

WGNO’s Kenny Lopez talked to the artist, Denise Gallagher about designing the new license plate.

As you’re rolling down the interstate in Louisiana, Lafayette-based, New Orleans born artist, Denise Gallagher wants you to “Let the Arts Roll” while you drive.

“There was actually a call for entries online, and I knew it was a really great opportunity to support the arts in Louisiana,” she said.

She decided to enter her design in a contest to design a new specialty license plate for Louisiana.

She hand sketched her design with a pencil and paper.

The Louisiana Partnership for the Arts chose her design to be the state’s new license plate.

“I ended up drawing an egret that is holding up a banner that says Laissez Les Arts Rouler,” she said.

She went on to say, “Surrounding the egret are musical instruments, books, pencils, a paintbrush, a crown to represent theater, a violin, and there’s a trumpet. The egret is interesting because you may think why not a pelican because the pelican is the state bird, but an egret is found in every parish in Louisiana, while pelicans on shore-living birds.”

Gallagher said that the blue represents water, the orange represents the sunsets and the green represents the swamps which all make up Louisiana’s incredible beauty.

“I really wanted to think of every aspect, but in a creative way and a beautiful way. To me it represents grandeur and stately beauty,” she said.

Denise Gallagher is a graphic designer and illustrator for children’s books. Some of her fine art has been featured nationwide.

For more information about her art.

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