Richard Thomas (Jazz Fest Artist)

Richard C. Thomas, born in Bogalusa Louisiana in 1953,  became an internationally recognized New Orleans artist, muralist, educator, and mentor created a style of locally-inspired, Afrocentric artwork appropriately named “visual jazz”.

This style, “visual jazz”, illustrates the culture and history made in Louisiana.

Thomas has spent years advocating recognition of African American artists locally and nationally.  He has created murals, curated at local museums, advised and lead several art- organizations and programs, and he mentors and teaches young artists at several schools in the Orleans Parish.