The Cordish Companies and Shreveport Regional Arts Council Announce Open Call to Artists for Mardi Gras 2026 and Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana’s One-Year Anniversary

This call helps usher in a celebratory season for Northwest Louisiana, including Mardi Gras and the first anniversary of Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana.

Artists are invited to submit original works that capture the high-energy, vibrant spirit of Mardi Gras and Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana since it opened on February 13th, 2025. Selected pieces will be featured in a special exhibit that will open in early February 2026 and will later be donated to SRAC’s Christmas in the Sky 2026 Auction, which will fund free access to the arts across NWLA.

“It’s no secret that we have incredibly talented artists in Northwest Louisiana. We welcome an opportunity to shine a spotlight on their work anytime we can,” said Joshua Robinson, Vice President of Marketing at Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana. “We also love a good party and Mardi Gras, and one year of Live! calls for celebration!”

How It Works

A minimum of 10 artists will be selected, each receiving a $1,000 purchase award for their original work. The chosen pieces will be framed and displayed at Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana, which welcomes thousands of guests during one of Louisiana’s most iconic celebrations.

Submissions are open to artists residing in Louisiana’s Region 7 (Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Bienville, DeSoto, Red River, Sabine, and Natchitoches Parishes). Artwork must reflect the energy, fun, and boldness of Mardi Gras, as well as the high-stakes, showstopping atmosphere of Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana.

Artists must be registered with the Culturalyst Directory and may submit 2D or 3D concepts by the dates listed below, provided they meet the specified guidelines. 

Important Dates

• Submission Deadline: November 30, 2025, by 5:00 PM
• Artist Notifications Begin: December 23, 2025
• Final Art Due: January 9, 2026

Submissions can be made through SRAC’s Submittable portal at srac.submittable.com. For questions, artists may contact Wren Coker, Administrative Director & Artist Liaison at Wren@shrevearts.org or 318-673-6500.

“Our partnership with Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana continues to elevate the arts in Northwest Louisiana,” said Rebecca Bonnevier, Executive Director at the Shreveport Regional Arts Council. “It’s an incredible opportunity for artists to showcase their work in a world-class setting while celebrating the culture that makes our region so special.”

On February 13, 2025, the Ark-La-Tex region welcomed a world-class gaming, hotel, dining, and entertainment destination with the opening of Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana. Situated along the scenic Red River in Bossier City and adjacent to Shreveport, the $270+ million facility is a transformative development bringing economic opportunity and inclusivity to local residents. Featuring the market’s first-ever land-side casino, Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana spans over 47,000 square feet, including 1,000+ slots and electronic table games, 40+ live action table games, a sportsbook, an upscale hotel, resort pool, and fitness center; and a 25,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art, multi-purpose Event Center for top-name entertainment, meetings, and special events. Award-winning dining and entertainment options, covering 30,000-square-feet of space, includes the Zagat-rated #1 steakhouse, The Prime Rib®; Sports & Social, a one-of-a-kind sports restaurant, gaming venue and social lounge; PBR Cowboy Bar, offering high energy music, entertainment and a mechanical bull; Luk Fu, serving authentic Asian cuisine; and Ridotto Grand Café, featuring Italian cuisine with a Venetian flair. Ample, secure parking with an available RV park. Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana was developed, owned, and managed by LRGC Gaming Investors, LLC, an affiliate of The Cordish Companies, the premier developer of Live! dining, entertainment, gaming, hotel, and sports-anchored destinations in the country, including Texas Live! in nearby Arlington, TX. For information, visit 

Louisiana.LiveCasinoHotel.com or follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram @livecasinola.

The Cordish Companies' origins date back to 1910 and encompass four generations of privately held, family ownership. During the past ten decades, The Cordish Companies has grown into a global leader in Gaming & Entertainment; Commercial Real Estate; Entertainment Districts; Sports-Anchored Developments; Hotels; Residential Properties; Restaurants; Coworking Spaces; and Private Equity. One of the largest and most respected developers in the world, The Cordish Companies has been awarded an unprecedented seven Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence for public-private developments that are of unique significance to the cities in which they are located. The Cordish Companies has developed and operates highly acclaimed dining, entertainment and hospitality destinations throughout the United States, many falling under The Cordish Companies' Live! Brand, highly regarded as one of the premier entertainment brands in the country. Welcoming over 55 million visitors per year, these developments are among the highest profile dining, entertainment, gaming, hotel and sports-anchored destinations in the country. In gaming, The Cordish Companies has developed among the most successful casino hotel resorts in the world, including the Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos in Hollywood and Tampa, FL, Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland, Live! Casino Pittsburgh and Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia. Over the generations, The Cordish Companies has remained true to the family's core values of quality, entrepreneurial spirit, long-term personal relationships and integrity. As a testimony to the long-term vision of its family leadership, The Cordish Companies still owns and manages virtually every business it has created. For more information, visit 

www.cordish.com or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @cordishco.