Le Petit Cajun is a tea shop and boutique in Grand Coteau, Louisiana that showcases the work of local artists while providing a space for people to meet, eat, and shop in a tranquil atmosphere. You can find jewelry, paintings, religious gifts, oyster art, quilted goods, and special-made monogram items here.
With premium teas and handcrafted goods, it’s a relaxing gathering spot for those who appreciate the finer things.
Adam “Nonc” Doucet, owner of Nonc’s Shop, is a French speaker, self-taught musician, and self-taught woodturner from Sunset, Louisiana. Doucet prides himself in one-of-a-kind turned pieces made from local Louisiana wood species. Most notably, Doucet is known for his work with sinker cypress, ancient cypress trees ranging from 400-1,000+ years old. His work has been featured in national publications and museums such as The San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site. With a degree in anthropology, Doucet continues finding the unique connections humans have with trees and wood and incorporates these ideas into his work. Nonc’s Shop offers commission work on various products, so please reach out if you would like a custom piece of local art.
Black Pot Bookshop is a locally-curated book and gift store located in the St. Landry Parish Courtyard Square of downtown Opelousas, Louisiana in the historic Shute’s building. Their selection of goods are handpicked from local authors and artists from around the state.
Their large selection of books, home decor, kitchenware, hometown gifts, and more make it a perfect place to pick up a gift or browse after lunch or a cup of coffee at one of the nearby cafés.
Robinson Weaving Shop is run by owner and craftsmen Donald Robinson Sr. in the steamboat town of Washington. Robinson specializes in caning seat weaving restorations and repairs to antique furniture. Robinson learned to weave from his father, whose works are preserved at the Smithsonian.
“Tee Don” Landry is famous for his Key of Z Rubboards. The frottoir, a wearable rubboard that is synonymous with zydeco music, was popularized by King of Zydeco Clifton Chenier and Cleveland, his brother who played that first rubboard masterfully. The story goes that in 1946, Chenier came to Willie Landry, Tee Don’s father and a Cajun metal craftsman, with the plans for the frottoir. Now at his shop in Sunset, Tee Don practices his father’s craft and is the reason the town is touted as the Rubboard Capital of the World.
On his website, you can purchase one of his rubboards or even have one custom made. Set up a time to visit his shop and see the process for yourself. Each one of his rubboards is numbered and registered, even the mini ones meant for decoration.
Artist Carroll Gautreaux is a lifelong resident of Opelousas. This former carpenter of 44 years turned artist uses metal as his medium to preserve Cajun history and lifestyle in his works. From swampy landscapes to crawfish boils and parades, these 3-D pieces display the Louisiana way of life.
Neketta Guillory, the owner of Art Box Studio, is a native of St. Landry Parish and has been an art instructor for over a decade in Opelousas, Louisiana. Her style is vibrant and bold with a blend of influences from her mentor, John T. Scott, a New Orleans-based artist, and her time spent in West Africa. Her work can be viewed and purchased in the gallery next door or you can take lessons from Neketta herself in the studio.
The Art Box offers a wide variety of top-notch services, such as open studio times, poetry readings, music events, private arts and crafts lessons, and a selection of other hands-on learning experiences for adults and children. Check the calendar for lessons or book for a private party. The studio can take groups of up to 16.
Arnaudville’s robust art scene begins at NUNU Arts and Culture Collective, a volunteer-run art gallery, artisan market, and cultural venue. The shopping bug will certainly bite you here as you wander the 5,000-square-foot former Singleton Hardware Store and its vast inventory of fine art, handmade jewelry, pottery, wood and metalwork, blown glass, books, natural bath products, and a whole lot more. NUNU is a must-stop attraction for visitors seeking one-of-a-kind art and/or gifts.
For visitors looking for things to do and the opportunity to meet authentic French Louisiana locals, NUNU collective hosts a multitude of programs including exhibitions, quilting/needlework, drumming circles, a monthly potluck dinner and dance, and French language conversational tables where “All French is Good French.” You can keep up with what’s happening at the collective here.
If traveling with a group, the Jacques Arnaud French Studies Collective, curated by Mavis Arnaud Frugé, provides French immersion workshops designed to give visitors a “mini-taste” of Louisiana French language and culture. Contact the collective for costs. Other arts and cultural workshops are available, as well.
Ici on parle français. French is spoken here.
The Funky Flea in Sunset, Louisiana specializes in everything funky and vintage. Find antiques and collectibles in excellent condition, including mid-century retro modern, art deco, and primitive. The shop’s owner, Claudette Simon, is a “cool cat” with an eye for retro items from the atomic era, but she also collects glassware, kitchenware, clothing, and jewelry from other periods. Claudette also loves funky works of art. Throughout the shop, find paintings, photography, pottery, mixed media arts and other crafts created by local artists. It’s not just a flea market. It’s not just an art gallery. It’s both and everything in-between!
Jerilyn’s Fused Glass Gallery & Art Studio features the work of local artist, Jerilyn LaVergne. Jerilyn’s working art studio in Sunset, Louisiana features one-of-a-kind glass jewelry, masks, wind chimes, garden stakes, and Jerilyn’s signature pieces – large glass fish. Each work she creates seems to have a story connected to her heart and a bit of wit as well.
Jerilyn also displays artwork by her husband, Cecil LaVergne. Cecil has a unique style when working with glass and often depicts rural Acadian-style scenes. His framed pieces also feature local historic churches.
Ici on parle français. French is spoken here.
