In another sign of business returning to normal in one of New Orleans’ busiest entertainment districts, the nighttime Art Garden market has returned to 613 Frenchmen Street. Featuring local artists selling original artwork, the market celebrated its grand reopening on April 9, and will continue to operate on Friday and Saturday nights from 6 to 9:30 p.m. On Saturdays, a new family-friendly day market will be open from noon to 4 p.m.

Longtime Art Garden artist Josh Wingerter raised $10,000 with a live-painting fundraiser to secure funds for rent to keep the market in business throughout the summer months ahead. Wingerter’s graffiti art atop plywood that used to board up businesses along Frenchmen Street and the French Quarter throughout the pandemic has drawn international media attention.

Another artist, John Vice, said, “I really miss the sense of community that you got at this kind of market. It’s something that has been really absent during the pandemic where we are all isolated and alone.”

The Art Garden will be following all COVID-19 safety practices including mandatory masking. The market will offer masks and a sanitizing station for anyone entering the space.