NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – Parades, costumes, beads, king cake and more mark Mardi Gras, the culmination of the Carnival season.Founded in 1898 by Edward C. Barqs in Biloxi, Mississippi, Barq’s Root Beer is part of the history and culture of the Gulf Coast. Barq’s with its crisp, refreshing bite and Mardi Gras with its colorful history, both celebrate the boldness of the region.
“Barq’s Root Beer has brought the bite to Mardi Gras for more than 100 years,” said Kimberly Paige, Vice President of Sprite and Flavors, Coca-Cola North America. “We’re thrilled to celebrate these festivities while giving a nod to our heritage.”
Barq’s has partnered with Terrance Osborne, an artist inspired by the culturally diverse Gulf Coast, to bring the spirit of the Brand to life through his “Mardi Barq’s” piece. The artwork is on an eight-foot wood panel and depicts a colorful Mardi Gras celebration seen in communities across the Gulf Coast during the Carnival season, reflecting the culture and heritage of Barq’s Root Beer. Leading up to Mardi Gras, Osborne will visit retail locations throughout the Gulf Coast where Barq’s Root Beer is sold to sign prints of the original artwork.
Osborne attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) and graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from Xavier University of Louisiana. He taught elementary school for five years before the life-changing events of Hurricane Katrina spurred him to pursue a new career path.
“Art is my passion and I enjoy capturing moments like Mardi Gras in action,” Osborne said. “Barq’s Root Beer was part of my childhood, so the beverage is connected with positive family memories and my community.”
Leading up to Mardi Gras, Osborne will sign free posters of the original artwork for the public. Here are the dates and locations.
