Why Is This Picture Even Cooler Than It Looks?

What does this mural by artist Stephan Wanger—created from thousands of Mardi Gras beads—have in common with our center?

Stephen Wanger came to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina to help with relief work. During that time, he began to notice many thousands of Mardi Gras beads being thrown away as people started to sort through the rubble and rebuild their lives.

He began collecting these beads and using them to creating murals such as the one pictured above. This particular piece is a mural of the Denham Springs City Hall and was created to promote the growth of local business and increase tourism.

Likewise, Narconon Louisiana also developed from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. After this disaster, many individuals were struggling with withdrawal sickness because they could no longer get the drugs they were addicted to. There were no facilities to help these people through their recoveries.

As he worked in the emergency room of a Baton Rouge hospital, Dr. Rohit Adi saw countless addicts who were desperate for help. Since all of the rehabs and support group meeting rooms were underwater, he knew something needed to be done.

He worked with others who witnessed the same problem and the seed was planted with this group that would go on to become the Board of Directors for Narconon Louisiana. They all agreed that something needed to be done to help these people.

Within eight months, the Narconon Louisiana New Life Retreat was opened on 15 wooded acres outside Denham Springs. Immediately, people began entering the rehab and learning how to live enjoyable, sober lives.

Our hats are off to Stephan Wanger, to his amazing work and support of Louisiana in its time of need. We would also like to thank everyone at Denham Springs City Hall for being supporters of drug education and rehabilitation.

To see more of Stephan Wanger’s works of art, click here.