2017 Cup Art Contest Winner New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) Student Sha’ Bria Cousin

The winner of the 2017 annual Mardi Gras Cup Art Contest is Sha’ Bria Counsin, a visual arts student at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA). Each year, the krewe conducts a contest among Orleans Parish middle and high public school students for an opportunity to create the artwork on the thousands of cups that are thrown by Muses at their parade. The winner’s school secures a grant for art programs for the upcoming year.

Muses Board member and Chair of Community Outreach Kathy Conklin said, “The artistic talent shown in the submissions continues to amaze us every year. We are proud to support art programs across the Greater New Orleans Area. Our mission is to ensure that students like Sha’ Bria have opportunities to express themselves artistically and contribute to the rich culture of Mardi Gras and of our city.”

Sha’ Bria’s artwork beautifully depicts the theme of this year’s contest: the fantastical creatures of Greek
mythology. NOCCA art teacher Mary Jane Parker praised the work of Sha’ Bria, “She is a very talented young artist who truly enjoyed creating the cup design for the Muses,” said Parker.

The cup design is printed on more than 80,000 cups. The Krewe of Muses parades on Thursday, February 23, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.