The Origin Story
Andrea's first Mardi Gras painting was commissioned by a dear friend in the early 1980s during the AIDS crisis. The metaphoric Mardi Gras theme was inspired by her friend who "wore a mask of joy to cover anxious and sad emotions."
In late 1985, she gave a Polaroid of the painting to a friend visiting New Orleans. That friend showed it to gallerist Margarita Bergen in the French Quarter, who immediately saw its potential.
Bergen and her brother Lorenzo published Mistretta's first poster, "Mercredi Des Cendre," in 1986 — launching a 40-year legacy that would make Andrea known as "The Queen of Mardi Gras Posters."
Artistic Vision
Andrea's signature style features elaborate masked faces adorned with vibrant Mardi Gras colors — purple, gold, and green — along with intricate feathers, face paint, and Carnival finery.
Her color palette draws from deep blacks with explosive jewel tones: emerald greens, royal purples, golds, magentas, and electric blues. Each piece captures the rich, ornate, celebratory, and mystical spirit of New Orleans.
Though a New Jersey native, Andrea adopted New Orleans as her home and has become an official honorary citizen of the city. Her work has hung in St. Charles Avenue mansions, dorm rooms, restaurants, and businesses — even at Disney World's Port Orleans resort.
Awards & Recognition
Society of Illustrators
Multiple awards for illustration excellence
Art Directors Club
Recognized for outstanding creative work
Vargas Award
Prestigious recognition in poster art
Notable Clients
Mardi Gras Parade of Posters
Pelican Publishing, 2010
The definitive collection chronicling the first 25 years of Mistretta's iconic Mardi Gras poster art. This award-winning and beautifully printed volume tells the story behind each piece.
A rare, out-of-print, signed, must-have for collectors and anyone who loves New Orleans and Carnival.
Cultural Impact
Andrea's posters have become an integral part of New Orleans culture. Her 2006 "Phoenix Rising" poster became a powerful symbol of the city's resilience and recovery after Hurricane Katrina.
Her artwork has been featured on T-shirts, CD covers, jigsaw puzzles, and countless pieces of memorabilia. Fans have collected her annual releases for 40 years, with some posters becoming highly sought-after collector's items.