Connect with us

Community

Community rallies around Mardi Gras float artist Raymond Bowie as he faces health challenges

Raymond Bowie, the beloved Mardi Gras float artist who has shaped Carnival since 1977, now needs community support as he faces cancer and the effects of two strokes.
unheard voices magazine profile logo

Published

14 seconds ago

on

By

Raymond Bowie Mardi Gras float artist
GoFundMe
Stay connected via Google News
Follow us for the latest updates from Unheard Voices
Add as preferred source on Google

NEW ORLEANS — Raymond Bowie, the beloved Mardi Gras float artist who has shaped Carnival since 1977, now needs community support as he faces cancer and the effects of two strokes.

Mardi Gras Float Artist: A Legacy Painted Across New Orleans

For nearly five decades, Bowie brought Mardi Gras to life with vivid color and meticulous detail. He painted floats for legendary krewes, including:

  • Rex
  • Endymion
  • Orpheus
  • Zulu
  • Iris
  • The Krewe of Muses

Anyone along the Muses parade route likely saw his work. Members often call him “their Apollo,” a title earned through decades of artistry and dedication.

See also  In Memoriam: Beloved Showtime at the Apollo co-host Kiki Shepard

Health Crisis Ends a Storied Career

Bowie can no longer pick up a brush. His health declined sharply in recent months, and he now requires full‑time care.

A few months ago, Raymond was diagnosed with cancer and had two strokes.

According to WDSU, Bowie’s wife reached out to members of the Krewe of Muses, who immediately stepped in to support the family.

Fundraiser Launched to Support Raymond Bowie’s Care

A fundraiser benefiting the Bowie family has already raised more than $5,000. Organizers hope the campaign will ease the financial strain of his ongoing care.

“Raymond is just an amazing guy, and he’s touched Mardi Gras in such a special way. He’s had a huge impact on our Mardi Gras community and on Mardi Gras itself, so we just want to try to help him out in his time of need,” said Virginia Saussy, Muses chairwoman.

To more, visit the verified GoFundMe.

Copyright © 2026. All Rights Reserved. Unheard Voices Magazine ®

Real stories. Real impact. Straight to your inbox. Join thousands others. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter today!

Follow us on Facebook, X, TikTok, Instagram
Related Topics:
unheard voices magazine profile logo

Unheard Voices, an award-winning, family-operated online news magazine, began in 2004 as a community newsletter serving Neptune, Asbury Park, and Long Branch, N.J. Over time, it grew into a nationally recognized Black-owned media outlet. The publication remains one of the few dedicated to covering social justice issues. Its honors include the NAACP Unsung Hero Award and multiple media innovator awards for excellence in social justice reporting and communications.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Archives

Tags

Asbury Park Asbury Park Middle School Atlanta Baltimore Blacks in History California celebrity deaths Chicago deaths entrepreneurship events Featured films Florida fundraiser Georgia Ghana Session GoFundMe gun violence hate crime HBCU homicide Illinois lawsuits Long Branch Los Angeles Maryland Michigan missing persons Monmouth County New York New York City North Carolina Ohio Pennsylvania police shootings protests race relations racism say his name Texas Trayvon Martin unarmed videos Washington D.C.

RSS Unheard Underground

unheard voices shop
unheard voices on google play unheard voices on itunes

Trending