Skywriter Nathan Hammond releases smoke as he writes messages of hope and love over New Orleans, during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Hammond was commissioned by local entrepreneur, Frank Scurlock, who said the messages were simply his way of reminding people that goodness can still flourish in a world that seems increasingly marred by violence. (Photo: AP/Gerald Herbert)
High above New Orleans, a small plane rolled in tight barrels, trailing smoke to create inspirational messages: smiley faces, peace signs, hearts and words like “jazz,” ”amen” and — in a true testament of flying ability — “transform.”
Over seven days of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, a skywriter inscribed smoky messages that captivated the hundreds of thousands gathered below.
Skywriter Nathan Hammond banks into a steep turn as he writes messages over New Orleans, during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. “We’re out here just kind of spreading the love, over the top of New Orleans,” said Hammond. (Photo: AP/Gerald Herbert)
New Orleans entrepreneur Frank Scurlock conceived the idea and hired skywriter Nathan Hammond to pen the fanciful, fleeting art.
Scurlock, whose family runs a bounce castle manufacturing and rental company, said the messages were simply his way of reminding people that goodness can still flourish in a world that seems increasingly marred by violence.
“This is just a simple way for people to just look up in the sky, and say ‘Wow, what a great world that we live in,’ and a chance to believe and have faith in not only today but in the future,” he said.
Hammond flew his plane down from Kentucky to be here for Jazz Fest, which runs for seven days over the course of two weekends.
Skywriter Nathan Hammond writes messages of hope and love over New Orleans, during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Hammond estimates the letters to be about a mile tall although they could stretch up to ten miles, depending on the message. (Photo: AP/Gerald Herbert) Skywriter Nathan Hammond works on a peace sign as he writes messages of hope and love over New Orleans, during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. (Photo: AP/Gerald Herbert)
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Skywriter Nathan Hammond flies underneath a heart he just created as he writes messages of hope and love over New Orleans, during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. (Photo: AP/Gerald Herbert) A giant heart and a peace sign, partially visible at lower left, float over New Orleans and the Mississippi River, as skywriter Nathan Hammond writes messages of hope and love during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. (Photo: AP/Gerald Herbert) Skywriter Nathan Hammond flies over the shore of Lake Pontchartrain as he writes messages of hope and love over New Orleans, during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. (Photo: AP/Gerald Herbert) Skywriter Nathan Hammond writes messages of hope and love over New Orleans, during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. (Photo: AP/Gerald Herbert) Kevin Mueller, of Austin, Texas, kisses his wife Erin Mueller, as skywriter Nathan Hammond writes messages of hope and love over New Orleans, during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. (Photo: AP/Gerald Herbert) With words, written in reverse, on paper taped to his instrument panel as a guide, skywriter Nathan Hammond enters a steep turn as he writes messages of hope and love over New Orleans. (Photo: AP/Gerald Herbert) The message “FORGIVE,” made by skywriter Nathan Hammond, floats above a home in New Orleans, during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. (Photo: AP/Gerald Herbert) Skywriter Nathan Hammond writes messages of hope and love over New Orleans. (Photo: AP/Gerald Herbert) Skywriter Nathan Hammond writes messages of hope and love over New Orleans, during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. (Photo: AP/Gerald Herbert) Skywriter Nathan Hammond releases smoke as he writes messages of hope and love over New Orleans, during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. (Photo: AP/Gerald Herbert) A giant heart hangs in the sky at sunset after skywriter Nathan Hammond wrote several days-worth of messages, relating to hope and love, over New Orleans. (Photo: AP/Gerald Herbert)
“We’re out here just kind of spreading the love, over the top of New Orleans,” Hammond said. He said he generally does commercial work for a company or an event with the occasional request for a marriage proposal. But Scurlock’s request was completely different. The entrepreneur hired him for 10 days, three flights a day.
Hammond has to keep his wits — and spelling — about him when he’s flying in tight loops or barrels. He estimates the letters to be about a mile tall, although they could stretch up to 10 miles, depending on the message.
On the ground, festival-goers were transfixed.
“I’ve seen him all week. I’ve taken pictures of him every single day and enjoyed him and wondered who did it. Every time they would start a word, we’d try to figure it out before they finished what it is,” Mary Mouton of New Orleans said.
- TAGS
- Jazz & Heritage Festival
- Nathan Hammond
- New Orleans
- Skywriter
