27 Jun 2019

Eunice Mural

2021-03-12T09:46:01-06:00

This mural, located at the corner of 2nd and East Walnut streets in Eunice right across from Ruby’s on 2nd, was painted by local artist Hannah Gumbo as part of a grant from the ArtSpark Individual Artist Funding Program. The grant program is a joint initiative of the Acadiana Center for the Arts and the Lafayette Economic Development Authority.

The vibrant colors used in the mural showcase Hannah’s distinct style. The mural draws inspiration from icons in local Cajun and Creole culture including the famous Mardi Gras Celebration the Courir de Mardi Gras, but with a hint of the abstract. The mural revitalizes the century-old wall that it is painted on, showing downtown goers the personality of Eunice. An onlooker can continue to find new significance in the work the longer they look.

Eunice Mural2021-03-12T09:46:01-06:00
31 Jan 2019

Amédé Ardoin Statue

2021-03-12T09:46:23-06:00

This 1,500 lb. steel statue displays Amédé Ardoin, legendary musician who laid the foundation for zydeco and Cajun music as we know it today, standing atop his most prized possession, his accordion. In his right hand, he holds out a bronze lemon that references Ardoin’s practice of carrying the sour fruit in his pocket to soothe his singing voice. The statue was carved by Russell Whiting, a self-taught, award-winning artist in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. He began his career making small wooden figurines, which has evolved into the special technique that he now employs carving steel to form regal figures.

This memorial statue commemorates the Bringing Amédé Home event, a symbolic gesture that brought over 500 music fans, locals, and Ardoin family members to see Amédé home from his burial in an unmarked grave at the Central Louisiana Hospital. You can read more about the event in our blog Bringing Amédé Home – About the Amédé Ardoin Commemorative.

The statue is located in the Zydeco Capital of the WorldOpelousas, Louisiana right outside the St. Landry Parish Visitor Information Center.

Ici on parle français. French is spoken here.

  • Monday – Saturday 9am-5pm

  • 978 Kennerson Road, Opelousas, Louisiana 70570

  • 337-948-8004

Amédé Ardoin Statue2021-03-12T09:46:23-06:00
31 Jan 2019

Zydeco Capital of the World Mural

2021-03-12T10:57:15-06:00

With Opelousas being the birthplace of zydeco, this mural, Robert Baxter’s Zydeco Capital of the World, remembers the pioneers and award winners of that unique and inspiring genre of music.

Located on the north side of Opelousas City Hall, built in the late 1930s and originally Abdalla’s Furniture Store, this mural is right in the middle of downtown.

Zydeco Capital of the World Mural2021-03-12T10:57:15-06:00
23 Jul 2018

Seven Brothers Oak Mural

2021-03-12T09:50:08-06:00

In this mural, local artist, Robert Tinney, depicts early settlers of the area enjoying music and dancing under the historic Seven Brothers Oak. Legend has it that John Henri Lastrapes ordered for seven oak trees to be planted, one for each of his sons. Mr. Lastrapes employees temporarily placed the seeds in whole as they had arrived to work late in the day. With such long days of working in the cotton fields, the seeds were long forgotten, and instead, one massive oak grew, forming a beautiful canopy over the grounds. You can view the mural in the parking area on West Landry Street in Opelousas, Louisiana. If you’re interested in seeing the Seven Brothers Oak, take a ride down Highway 182. If you’re traveling north, the oak will be the right side of the highway, just before you enter the town of Washington, Louisiana.

  • 108 East Landry Street, Opelousas, Louisiana 70570

  • 337-948-6263

  • tourism@cityofopelousas.com

Seven Brothers Oak Mural2021-03-12T09:50:08-06:00
23 Jul 2018

Gateway to the Great Southwest Prairie Mural

2021-03-12T09:50:21-06:00

The Gateway to the Great Southwest Prairie was painted by an internationally known muralist and Louisiana native, Robert Dafford in collaboration with Herb Roe another muralist and painter. The elegant filigree of the mural and expansive landscape captures the beauty of Louisiana prairies. In this painting, Dafford depicts an explorer and his horse gazing out on the land that would become Eunice, the Prairie Cajun Capital, charted in 1894. Dafford is constantly sought out for his dramatic, large-scale illusions and has painted more than 400 murals across the United States, Canada, France, Belgium, and England.

The mural can be found in Eunice, Louisiana at the old Ardoin’s building on the corner of Laurel Avenue and Second Street. You can also learn more about native prairies at the Cajun Prairie Habitat, also located in Eunice.

Gateway to the Great Southwest Prairie Mural2021-03-12T09:50:21-06:00
23 Jul 2018

Mural History

2024-06-24T15:50:26-05:00

Opelousas, Louisiana has become a city of murals! To date, there are five murals located in the downtown area and even more public art projects, including Fiddle Mania. On the west side of the Savoy building, you’ll find a fabulous work of art painted by Tony Wimberly of Church Point, Mural History. The mural portrays a chapter in the life of Jim Bowie, a hero of the Battle of the Alamo and resident of Opelousas in the early 1800s. The Savoy building is located at 161 E. Landry Street.

Learn more about the history of Opelousas at Le Vieux Village Heritage Park and the Opelousas Museum.

Located at the parking lot on West Landry Street between Main Street and Court Street.

    Mural History2024-06-24T15:50:26-05:00
    23 Jul 2018

    Louisiana Orphan Train Mural

    2021-03-12T09:52:02-06:00

    Artist Robert Dafford depicts one of the most important stories in American history in this mural, the arrival of the orphan train riders. The mural is located in the Louisiana Orphan Train Musuem in Opelousas, just one of many locations in America where orphan children arrived from New York in between 1853 and 1930.

    The Orphan Train Mural is an impressive work of art measuring 7′ x 14′ and hangs in the main area of the museum. Robert is a talented muralist from Lafayette, Louisiana and is also the artists who painted the Gateway to the Great Southwest Prairie mural in Eunice, Louisiana.

    Louisiana Orphan Train Mural2021-03-12T09:52:02-06:00
    23 Jul 2018

    Fiddle Mania II

    2021-03-12T09:52:51-06:00

    Fiddle Mania, located in downtown Opelousas and at the St. Landry Parish Visitor’s Center, features over-sized fiddles fabricated from metal, painted and designed by local artists. It was unveiled in November 2012 in conjunction with the state office of tourism’s Main to Main initiative.

    The overall theme of the fiddle designs encompasses Louisiana’s rich heritage depicting wildlife and waterways, its diverse people, food, music and well-known locales. The Fiddle Mania exhibit is dedicated in memory of local musician/fiddler and cultural ambassador Hadley J. Castille.

    Artists involved in the project include June Lowrey, Jerome Ford, Kat Guidroz, Kimberly Nelams Becnal, Alicia Johnson, Gary Steckler, Shawn Hunt, Natalie Clay Hutchinson, Darlene Moore, Tony Cutrera, Ne’keeta Guillory, Kate Ferry, Deante Benjamin, Theon Guillory, Katy Leger Roy, Westminster Christian Academy Art II Senior Emily Waguespack and Bailey Benoit, Hunter Tardiff and Brianna Jordan of Port Barre Middle School, Davonte’ Lafontaine of Port Barre High and Noah Guidroz of Park Vista Elementary.

    The address provided is for the St. Landry Chamber of Commerce where you can park and visit to learn more about businesses within the parish before you make your way to the fiddles. The fiddles are across the street, behind the St. Landry Bank.

    • 109 West Vine, Opelousas, Louisiana 70570

    • 337-948-5227

    Fiddle Mania II2021-03-12T09:52:51-06:00
    23 Jul 2018

    Early Fire Fighting Tribute Mural

    2021-03-12T09:52:59-06:00

    The fire mural pays tribute to early firefighting and is dedicated to all firefighters – past, present and future. The mural, Early Fire Fighting: A Tribute to Lelle, was painted by a group of local artists at Opelousas Catholic under the direction of Cindy Pitre. The mural depicts the fire truck named after Marie Celeste “Lelle” Dupre’ Robertson. Along with her husband, she was an active member of the Hope, Hook and Ladder Fire Company Number 1, established in 1871. Miss Lelle has been credited with many of the company’s early successes, but most remember her for her role in helping fight the courthouse fire that occurred during the early years of the 20th century. You can find “Lelle” at the Hope, Hook and Ladder Fire Station in downtown Opelousas.

    • 109 North Union Street, Opelousas, Louisiana 70570

    Early Fire Fighting Tribute Mural2021-03-12T09:52:59-06:00
    23 Jul 2018

    Arnaudville Town Mural

    2021-03-12T09:54:41-06:00

    Vincent Darby’s classic style adds beauty to the side of Arnaudville Town Hall in this timeless mural. The image depicts a time before there were paved roads and when everyone’s favorite bread was Evangeline Made. Vincent Darby was a native of Arnaudville, Louisiana and a self-taught artist. After retiring from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and fisheries, he began his work as an artist full time, painting beautiful images of Louisiana’s outdoors. Though he passed away in 2017, he is still remembered for his remarkable, natural talent and love of Louisiana.

    • 107 Rue de Jausiers, Arnaudville, Louisiana 70512

    Arnaudville Town Mural2021-03-12T09:54:41-06:00
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