Vineyard native Anna Walton will be on hand next week when a California nightclub opens with fanfare, featuring her largest yet installation of bead art.

Ms. Walton, a graduate of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School and Smith College, now lives in New Orleans. She was commissioned to create an 18-foot high tower made entirely of Mardi Gras beads.

When not teaching fourth grade, Ms. Walton makes really big art. — Joe Perra

The installation is near the entrance of a new House of Blues franchise in Anaheim, Calif. It features snakes, skulls and flowers ­­­— an interpretation of Day of the Dead themes, after the popular Mexican celebration on the night before Halloween.

She created the art piece in sections on her porch in New Orleans. It took her nearly five months. And how many beads?

“I don’t know,” she said. “I wish I knew. A lot.”

Ms. Walton teaches fourth grade, conducts the school orchestra, and teaches private violin and cello lessons at the Louise S. McGehee School in New Orleans. Her home is on one of the most popular Mardi Gras parade routes. While she purchases some beads, many come from the famous celebration.

“A lot of them are from Mardi Gras,” she said. “Every Mardi Gras, I’m the one walking down the street looking for certain colors, certain sizes.”

Ms. Walton has already been commissioned to create more bead art, which will be featured in the bar of the new House of Blues in Anaheim.

Ms. Walton’s bead art can be seen at her website, annanola.com.