NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – Music legend Allen Toussaint passed away last week from a heart attack after a performance in Spain. Here in the New Orleans arts community, an artist is commemorating his life and spirit. WGNO’s Kenny Lopez tells the story of an interactive art piece dedicated to Toussaint.

Allen Toussaint left his mark on the world, and now you can leave your mark for him.

“This is a great idea.  I’m glad me and my daughter were able to come out and sign this art piece.  This is now a part of our history,” Demonte Bosman said.

When artist Daniel Garcia of The Courtyard Gallery got word that musician Allen Toussaint passed away he knew he wanted to pay a special tribute to him.

“He’s been such an inspiration to the city, myself, and to so many others,” Garcia said.

Garcia created this door and stood in Jackson Square asking folks passing by to sign it.

“When you sign it, you’re making a commitment that this guy was a great guy, and he influenced us all.  A true living legend,” he said.

This door is his gesture of helping Toussaint’s legacy live on.  After it’s all signed, Garcia will give it to the Toussaint family.

Before Toussaint passed away, Garcia got the chance to meet the music icon.

“I was painting outside of my gallery and Toussaint drove by.  I heard a honk of the horn, so I turned and saw him. He yelled, ‘Your’e the man!’  Then I yelled, ‘No, you’re the man’ back at him.  He then asked, ‘So, when are you going to do my door?”

Well…Mr. Allen Toussaint…you finally got your door!

If you’d like to sign this Toussaint tribute, go to The Courtyard Gallery at 1129 Decatur Street.

Toussaint’s funeral is set for this Friday at the Orpheum Theatre at 11 a.m.  A private burial will follow.   A slew of New Orleans’ musicians are slated to perform for his funeral.