I have been a resident of New Orleans for almost 17 years after moving from Memphis.

I moved to New Orleans for graduate school but Tulane University was the only school to which I applied because I wanted to move to New Orleans. After a few family vacation trips to New Orleans in high school and college, I was charmed by the city. I had always been fascinated by the architecture here but usually only thought about the more well know architecture in the French Quarter, along St. Charles Avenue, shotgun houses, etc. After Katina I have become more aware of so many other types of architecture in many different parts of the city corner stores, bars and lounges, schools designed by EA Christy, etc. While biking around town, I often take pictures of wonderful buildings in interesting neighborhoods. Unfortunately, much that I see is in decay due to flood damage, fire, neglect, cats claws, etc. I have also realized that the importance of preserving buildings also helps to preserve neighborhoods which helps to preserve the New Orleans culture. Unique New Orleans traditions such as jazz funerals, second lines, and Mardi Gras Indians have strong ties to the neighborhoods community. The people that participate in these traditions need to be able to come back to the neighborhoods that keep the traditions alive. Not only do historic buildings help preserve beautiful or unique architecture or provide space for residences or businesses, the buildings also often serve as canvas of art. Many corner stores around the city have wonderful folk art as advertising, much of it created by artist Lester Carey. His unique style incorporates different lettering styles and often a painting of a po boy. I have created a Flickr group to collect his work that most people dont give a second thought, SPALC - The Society to Preserve the Art of Lester Carey (http://www.flickr.com/groups/the_art_of_lester_carey). In addition to photography (digital and film), I am interested in several other artistic avenues. These include print making - linoleum block printing and screen printing. Also I am a member of the Skeleton Krewe a group that masks for Mardi Gras in large papier mache skulls. Street art stencils, stickers, wheatpastes, etc. is another past time. One project that I currently have going on is the GERN can set which I pay tribute the New Orleans businesses that are gone (that aint dere no more). I am a full time employee of Tulane at the Howard-Tilton Library, so I am applying for the part time program. Currently I am not familiar with a lot of the job opportunities that an MPS degree would offer, but I am interested in seeing what I can do to help rebuild and preserve my home of New Orleans.

Anthony DelRosario

Page 1 You Next linoleum block print 6 by 12, crab and pelican stencils, and Ignatius J. Reilly painting Page 2 Super Sunday In Central City - mixed media: painting on found cans, found window frame, photographs 22" by 32" Page 3 digital photographs: in flight, crucifix halo, offsite depository, my Mardi Gras 2008 costume for the Skeleton Krewe with papier mache mask Page 4 fish eye camera 35mm photographs: second line, jazz funeral, Mardi Gras Indians on Super Sunday, and corner store signage Page 5 Agat 18k half-frame 35mm photographs: crescent city connection, Skeleton Krewe Buzzard and Kitty, Mary, Mardi Gras float debris Page 6 digital photographs: hand painted signs by Lester Carey, the artist himself Page 7 Page 8 digital photographs: Gone Like That (Central City) digital photographs: 1356 Magazine Street

Page 9 digital photographs: Blue Plate, Uglesichs, Coliseum Theater, Dixie Brewery Page 10 painted found cans in memorial of institutions dat aint dere no more