"ONE MORE TIME"

Big Chief Theodore Emile "Bo" Dollis was leader of the Wild Magnolias Mardi Gras Indian Tribe for more than 45 years. Born in 1944 Dollis secretly began attending Sunday night Indian practice while still in high school. He followed the White Eagles Tribe and in 1957 he "masked" (created and wore his suit) for the first time with The Golden Arrows. In 1964 Dollis became chief of the Wild Magnolias and gained notoriety not only for his handcrafted suits but also his vocal artistry. After recording multiple albums, in 1970 the Wild Magnolias performed at the first New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and went on to work with many of New Orelans top artists. Two years after Dollis's passing in 2015 this permanent memorial was painted by Monica Rose Kelly on OC Haley Blvd. SCAD-trained artist Kelly's work spans a wide variety of mediums and frequently engages with the rich cultural and historical narratives of New Orleans.