New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University unveils 2026 poster by Francis X. Pavy

New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University unveils 2026 poster by Francis X. Pavy

The New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane Universityunveiled its official 2026 festival poster, an original work by renowned Louisiana artist Francis X. Pavy, whose vivid, narrative-driven style has made him one of the region's most celebrated visual storytellers.

Pavy's work is deeply rooted in the folklore, iconography and rhythm of South Louisiana and brings a richly atmospheric dimension to this year's festival poster. The 2026 poster depicts a contemplative reader silhouetted on a sweeping wrought-iron balcony at sunset, overlooking a dreamlike cityscape of New Orleans. The sky glows with saturated pinks and blues, while the spires and rooftops of the city rise in intricate patterns behind him, evoking the city's magic and mystery.

With bold lines and expressive color, Pavy's design captures the feeling of being transported by a book. Known for blending myth, memory and place, Pavy infuses the poster with elements that feel both familiar and timeless, echoing the festival's mission to uplift stories and spark imagination.

"His poster beautifully embodies what the festival strives to create: a space where readers, writers and thinkers can gather to explore ideas and experience the joy of discovery."

"My goal in creating this image was to capture a specific New Orleans feeling: the quiet solitude of being lost in a book, yet having the vibrant magic of the French Quarter right at an arm's length," Pavy said. "Placing the solitary reader on a steamboat balcony, floating on the Mississippi River, silhouetted against a richly saturated dusk sky, creates a moment suspended between quiet reflection and the world beyond. Art and literature both transport us, and this poster is meant to be an invitation to step into that suspended, narrative moment."

Adding to the artwork's distinctive character is the poster's elegant, hand-crafted lettering, designed by Pavy's daughter Annabelle Pavy. Her stylized typography complements the visual mood of the piece-flowing, architectural and rooted in the same sense of place-creating a cohesive design that bridges generations of artistic expression within the Pavy family.

"Francis Pavy's work reflects the spirit of Louisiana; it's layered, soulful and filled with stories," said Cheryl Landrieu, festival co-chair. "His poster beautifully embodies what the festival strives to create: a space where readers, writers and thinkers can gather to explore ideas and experience the joy of discovery."

Pavy, whose career spans painting, printmaking and sculpture, often draws inspiration from the music, folklore, architecture and natural beauty of South Louisiana. The 2026 festival poster continues this tradition, inviting attendees to step into a moment suspended between quiet reflection and the vibrant world beyond the balcony.

The 2026 New Orleans Book Festival will take place March 12-15 on Tulane University's uptown campus. Free and open to the public, the festival features a dynamic lineupof national and regional authors, interactive Family Day activities, culinary conversations, live music and community events designed to celebrate literature in all its forms.

Posters and art prints will be available for purchase onlineand on-site during the festival. Posters are $45 and art prints are $15, with proceeds supporting the festival's free public programming, including literacy initiatives and Family Day activities.

For more information about the New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University, including the full 2026 lineup, visit bookfest.tulane.edu.