Ethel Park in Washington, Louisiana is a pocket-sized park located right across from the town hall. Stroll along the path that’s framed on all sides by native plants chosen and taken care of by local master gardeners. The park features a pebble pit perfect for kids to jump around and let out their excess energy. Nearby you can grab a snowball or something sweet from Lou’s Bakery or savory boudin from Ardoin’s Grocery.
This mural, located in Sunset, Louisiana, 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 former Artworks by Ted Bertrand gallery which is now the Sunset Arts Co-Op.
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.
This bronze statue was made in the likeness of St. Landry, our parish’s namesake. He was known as “St. Landerieus” and “St. Landry the Confessor” and was consecrated bishop of Paris in 650. During the famine of 650-651, Saint Landry sold all of his personal possessions, as well as some of the furniture and sacred vessels for the church, to feed the poor. In 651, Saint Landry founded a hospital dedicated to St. Christopher near the Cathedral of Notre Dame. The hospital exists today and is called the Hotel-Dieu de Paris. Under the direction of Saint Landry, the original church of St. Germain l’Auxerrois in Paris was built, and it became the parish of the kings of France. Saint Landry served as Bishop of Paris until his death, which occurred in 661.
He was buried in the Church of Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois, and today you can see his statue and frescos painted in St. Landry’s Chapel in the church. Although his tomb still exists, his remains were moved to another location during the French Revolution to prevent desecration. The current location of his remains is unknown. St. Landry’s Feast Day is June 10.
This statue was sculpted by Kim Bernadas, a New Orleans figurative and portrait sculptor with over 20 years of experience. It sits on the historic Courthouse Square in downtown Opelousas right across from Java Square Café.
The statue of St. Landry was made possible by the Rotary Club of Opelousas.
The Sunset Garden Club, also in charge of their famous Herb & Garden Festival, can be credited for these 15 bicycles sculptures that you can find around the town of Sunset. The colorful bicycles are decorated every holiday and season by the dedicated individuals of the Sunset Garden Club. The bicycles themselves were donated by the Sunset Police Department.
Businesses with bicycles outside of them include the Funky Flea, Bayou Some Stuff Flea Market, and the City Hall. Drive down Napoleon Avenue, passed the World’s Largest Rubboard, and find more of these public artworks.
These painted fiddles located at the corner of Court and Landry Streets in Downtown Opelousas reveal scenes of the Zydeco Capital of the World. The project was coordinated by Robbie Sebastien for the Opelousas Tricentennial celebration.
Featured artists include Michelle johnson-Colligan, Sue Boagni, Cindy Pitre, Cathy Hebert, Neketta Guillory, Shantall Rovairs, Robbie Sebastien, Michelle Fontenot, Morgan Glasscock, Ivy Carriere, Kristy Lalonde, Gabrielle Janice, Gerry Soileau, and Larry Primeaux.
This colorful mural stands proudly on the side of the Smith family barn in Eunice. Calvin Smith built the barn with his neighbors in 1962 and was known within his family as “The Barefoot Cajun”. His son, Darrel, commissioned local artist Hannah Gumbo, to paint the mural as an homage to his father.
“It’s an invitation,” said Gumbo. “Come and see us, and meet the family who grew up here.”
Throughout 2020, 2021, and 2022, ordinary metal traffic boxes in Opelousas were transformed into vibrant canvases. These works of art showcase the community’s character and culture in celebration of the city’s tricentennial.
Jerome Ford | 970 East Landry Street
Sue Boagni | 162 South Court Street
B.J. Smith | 1943 South Union Street
Gerry Soileau | Corner of Vine and Market
Ke’Shawn Collins | 499 West Church Street
Rebecca Henry | 199 East Bellevue Street
Alicia Jonson-Black | 6011 I-49 South
Theon Guillory | 201 South Bullard Street
Michelle Fontenot | 2364 South Union Street
Ayla Voitier | Intersection of Union Street and Creswell Lane
Mary Alice Fontenot’s beloved children’s story character now has a permanent spot in his hometown of Eunice right outside the Eunice Depot Museum as well as the Cajun French Music Hall of Fame Museum. Clovis Crawfish stands proudly as a testament to the children’s books Fontenot brought to life that has taught to the world since 1961 a wonderful understanding of the Cajun French language as well as the colorful characters that populate her worlds.
This informational kiosk, located in Leonville mere steps away from Champagne’s Marche, is one of many along the Teche, and one of two within St. Landry Parish. It details the winding path of the legendary bayou with stories of those who call it their home.
These kiosks were lovingly made by the stewards of the Bayou Teche, the TECHE Project. You can learn more about the TECHE Project’s mission, and the history of the Tech itself, at the TECHE Project’s website.
Here at the birthplace of the Bayou Teche in Port Barre, erected by the dedicated caretakers of the waterway at T.E.C.H.E. Project, stands a guiding kiosk. This structure is one of many along the Teche, and one of two within St. Landry Parish itself. It details the winding path of the legendary bayou with stories of those who call it their home.
Grab your boat or kayak and explore the start of the Teche with this kiosk as your guide.
