29 Dec 2022

Martinique Mask-Making Workshop

2023-01-25T16:24:00-06:00

From February 10-13 at NUNU Arts and Culture Collective in Arnaudville, Louisiana, you can attend a Martinique-style mask-making workshop. Jean-Luc Toussaint and Vanessa Guy are your guides as they compare and contrast practices found around the world including styles from Martinique and Acadiana.

Students will learn the beginning skills of modeling, constructing, and painting and will be encouraged to create masks that celebrate their true identity so that participants can say, "this, is who I am."

Students will have access to sewing machines, a laser cutter, a 3D printer, and more. Finally, the workshop will be peppered with French and Creole languages.

NUNU Members will pay $150 + tax and processing fees while non-members will be billed an additional $300 on the day of arrival or provided with an opportunity to become a NUNU member.

You can find more event and ticket information here.

Martinique Mask-Making Workshop2023-01-25T16:24:00-06:00
1 Nov 2022

Drawn to Grow Exhibit Reception

2022-11-01T10:36:23-05:00

Join us at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Center at Exit 23 right off of I-49 to view Kelli Foret Richard's most recent work, Drawn to Grow. This exhibit of 57 illustrations is a statement on the 57 years left of farming the region has until it reaches desertification. The exhibit is both emphasizes the importance of agriculture to Louisiana and a call to action for better farming practices. Hear from the artist herself at the reception on Saturday, November 5 from 1pm-4pm at the visitor center right outside of Opelousas.

Drawn to Grow Exhibit Reception2022-11-01T10:36:23-05:00
31 Oct 2022

Indigenous Cultural Heritage Table

2022-10-31T16:28:30-05:00

Clovis "Joe" Billiot, Biloxi-Chitimacha Tribal Member, and his wife Debra Cooper Billiot, host an Indigenous Cultural Heritage Table at NUNU Arts and Culture Collective from noon to 2pm on January 28 in Arnaudville.

The Billiot's intent is to develop this table as a means to share, inform and connect with other indigenous peoples and share that knowledge with all people.

The Indigenous Cultural Heritage Table is part of the DICI initiative.

Indigenous Cultural Heritage Table2022-10-31T16:28:30-05:00
28 Sep 2022

Lighting of the Nativity

2025-08-06T09:25:50-05:00

The holiday season is upon us, and Opelousas Main Street presents a cherished tradition that has been lighting up downtown for over seven decades. On Saturday, the heart of downtown Opelousas, Louisiana will come alive with festive cheer at the Lighting of the Nativity on the Courthouse Square.

The event is scheduled from 3 to 6 p.m. with the official unveiling of the historic nativity scene to take place at dusk. A variety of activities are planned for the event which is presented by Opelousas Main Street, Inc. Santa will be onsite for holiday photos and there will also be train rides, a vendor market set up along Court Street featuring specialty items, art and food, live music entertainment from Our Lady Queen of Angels Choir and a special youth jam session hosted by Louisiana Folk Roots Kids Camp alumni and friends. Nearby families can meet The Grinch inside Sophisticated Look La' Bellevue on Bellevue Street.

November 29th is also Small Business Saturday, a day to enjoy a delicious lunch and shop for unique gifts, while supporting local small businesses and artists in the area.

This year marks the 71st anniversary of the historic Nativity Scene. The nativity scene at the St. Landry Parish Courthouse Square began in the 1940s. In 1953, a special building was made for the nativity. On Sun., Dec. 6, 1953, the nativity scene on the St. Landry Parish Courthouse Square was unveiled at a special ceremony where Mabel Cools was recognized for soliciting donations used to purchase the nativity figures. Sidney Sandoz was recognized as chairman of the building committee. Robert Dejean served as Master of Ceremonies. After the unveiling, the downtown Christmas lights were turned on. (Source: Daily World, 1953).

Lighting of the Village, Opelousas
Lighting of the Village, Opelousas
Lighting of the Village, Opelousas
Lighting of the Nativity2025-08-06T09:25:50-05:00
23 Sep 2022

Fall Exit 11 Yard Sale

2023-09-21T11:58:58-05:00

The Fall Exit 11 Yard Sale will take place on the first Saturday in November from 7am-4pm in Sunset, Louisiana. For a day, shop owners and antique dealers invite the locals to set up shop along Napoleon Avenue. They sell antiques, artwork, jewelry, and one-of-a-kind items at bargain prices. Some shops will feature special sales or one-day discounts.

Want to plan ahead and need accommodations? Find hotels nearby, here.

Exit 11 Yard Sale in Grand Coteau and Sunset, Louisiana
Exit 11 Yard Sale in Grand Coteau and Sunset, Louisiana
Exit 11 Yard Sale in Grand Coteau and Sunset, Louisiana
Fall Exit 11 Yard Sale2023-09-21T11:58:58-05:00
19 Sep 2022

Fête de Saint-Luc

2022-09-19T16:48:53-05:00

Celebrate at Saint-Luc French Immersion School in Arnaudville, Louisiana. This former hospital turned educational and cultural organization that seeks to revive and sustain the French language tradition in Louisiana. They are hosting a celebration and learning experience on October 9th from 1:30pm to 6pm with great food, music, and plenty of art vendors and craftsmen.

There will be a ton to eat and drink including plate lunches from Pepper's homestyle catering, croissants, cookies, and pastries from Paradiso Cake, fruit and veggie drinks from Jolly Moon, and sandwiches from Bib Belly Sandwiches.

Enjoy informational demos and vendors including spinning arts, cotton products, art displays, basketweaving, chair caning, writing, and more. There will even be live music by La Patente, a traditional band out of New Brunswick, Canada, and the Potluck Band.

Fête de Saint-Luc2022-09-19T16:48:53-05:00
29 Jul 2022

TMatt Photography Studio & Gallery Open House

2022-07-29T10:44:18-05:00

Head to the town of Washington for TMatt Photography Studio & Gallery's open house on Sunday, August 28 from 2pm-5pm. The gallery itself is located in a 100-year-old Methodist church and houses Tiffany Matt's photography studio and art pieces by Anne Matt. This open house will feature Catherine Myers' work including primitive pottery created from crawfish chimney mud.

You can contact Tiffany Matt at 337-308-8000 for more details.

TMatt Photography Studio & Gallery Open House2022-07-29T10:44:18-05:00
28 Jun 2022

Sunset Mural & Artworks by Ted 5 Year Celebration

2022-06-28T11:52:25-05:00

The St. Landry Chamber of Commerce will cut the ribbon for the newest mural in Sunset at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 1 at Artworks by Ted Bertrand on 855 Napoleon Avenue. The celebration also falls on the gallery's monthly open house where the artist and gallery owner, Ted Bertrand, will be celebrating its 5-year anniversary at 5:30pm that evening. The featured artist will be Anne Matt and you can enjoy refreshments while you appreciate the art.

The mural was painted by muralist and Breaux Bridge native, Darryl "Demo" Demourelle. Demourelle is known for his colorful, larger-than-life works. His energetic and loud style fits in perfectly with the artsy community of Sunset and especially along the walls of the Artworks by Ted Bertrand gallery. Bertrand's works are well-known for their bright impressionist renditions of rural St. Landry Parish scenes.

Painted along the historic early 1900s bank-turned-gallery, the mural displays a man playing a rubboard alongside a swath of sweet potatoes and three large cotton bulbs. The worn rubboard, an iconic zydeco instrument, has taken root in Sunset. The instrument was popularized by zydeco legend Clifton Chenier and his brother Cleveland. In 1946 Chenier approached metalworker Willie Landry to create the frottoir, a wearable rubboard.  Landry's son, Tee Don Landry, continues his father's legacy with his Key of Z Rubboard Shop, located just a few minutes away from the gallery. Cotton and sweet potatoes, also highlighted in the mural, were both major exports of the town.

The ribbon-cutting will be attended by Mayor Charles James of the town of Sunset and St. Landry Chamber President & CEO Laina Brickley.

For more information, call the St. Landry Chamber of Commerce at 337-942-2683.

Sunset Mural & Artworks by Ted 5 Year Celebration2022-06-28T11:52:25-05:00
27 Jun 2022

Washington Main Street Market

2022-08-05T12:49:51-05:00

The Washington Main Street Market is fun for the whole family. Find diverse and interesting vendors that sell homemade and handcrafted items right along the main street. Enjoy great food and have fun walking around this historic town.

In summer, this event takes place during the evenings starting at 5pm on the third Saturday of the month. The town's downtown pavilion lights up the summer nights with food and music. For the rest of the year, you can enjoy the market on the third Sunday of the month from 10am to 3pm.

For vendor information, contact Laura Wilson at 337-351-4244.

Washington Main Street Market2022-08-05T12:49:51-05:00
24 Jun 2022

Le Pinceau Français

2022-07-08T16:29:28-05:00

Join artist Cynthia Alleman in Arnaudville, Louisiana for step-by-step painting instruction introducing French vocabulary and expressions while you sip your favorite drink. Tickets include all paint supplies, brushes, aprons, and easels. Students bring their beverages and snacks of their choice.

Tickets are $40. Register soon because space is limited. No previous art or French experience is necessary.

Individual classes for August 2022 (La grègue):

August 4th, 6-8 PM
August 17th, 9-11 AM
August 18th, 6-8 PM

Sponsored by: Rotary Club of Opelousas -Sunrise/Saint Luc Satellite Club

For more information contact: Cynthia Alleman at cynalleman@gmail.com or 337-298-4484.

Le Pinceau Français2022-07-08T16:29:28-05:00

St. Landry Parish Visitor Center
Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm

337.948.8004
978 Kennerson Road (I-49 exit 23)
P.O. Box 1415 • Opelousas, LA 70570

Visitor Guide (En)
Visitor Guide (Fr)

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