THE ARNAUDVILLE EXPERIMENT—
a contiguous ecosystem
By: George Marks
Located in the place “where Cajun began,” St. Martin Parish and home to the Zydeco Cajun Prairie Scenic Byway, St. Landry Parish, the bi-parish community of Arnaudville is at the heart of rural Acadiana. From the North you’ll find the “zydeco capital of the world,” Opelousas; East, the famous Pat’s Fisherman’s Warf in Henderson; South, the “crawfish capital of the world,” Breaux Bridge; and, West, historic Grand Coteau. All of which are anchored by the official ‘hub’ and Cajun capital of the world, Lafayette.
For centuries, artists have fled to environments that honor their spirit and feed their soul. Picasso, Cezanne and Matisse created masterpieces inspired by beauty found only in the South of France. Lee Krasner, Jackson Pollock and William de Kooning, whether by choice or necessity, benefited from the safe, serene environment of the Hamptons. Louisiana’s own Elemore Morgan, Jr., who lived outside of Maurice, created his beautiful work far removed from the hustle and bustle of activity. Here in South Louisiana, we have witnessed an onslaught of visitors from around the world, fascinated by our culture, charmed by our people and beckoned by our landscape. Like art communities of the past, the greater Acadiana area is becoming a haven for a diverse group of people and contemporary artists.
Here in Arnaudville, the town is situated on the junction of Bayous Teche and Fuselier. Lawns gently slope downward to gumbo colored water. Fields of cane, soybeans, corn, Milo or prairies of native grasses make way to the vast sky. Lazy trees punctuate the horizon. Leaning poles frame the landscape. Here you can live and work in peace. Here you can cycle, kayak or canoe. Here you can sing, dance or sit back and watch. Here you can still access the multitude of restaurants and events.
When Town Market Rural Arts Centre opened its doors in 2005, an artistic catalyst for the Town of Arnaudville and surrounding areas began—the Arnuadville Experiment. First, we realized existing cultural assets including the French language and a variety of music and local visual artists including traditional painter Vincent Darby. Focus was then placed on maintaining and creating new art commerce including the William Lewis Studio, Tom’s Fiddle and Bow, Bayou Blues Guest House and performing, literary and culinary art events. At the center of this movement—Frederick l’Ecole des Arts, while building on local culture and traditions, provides for ‘global’ outreach and program development.
Established in 2007, this volunteer-driven nonprofit organization promotes and fosters opportunities for artists and those who seek to learn. Frederick has focused primarily on three distinct areas: The Etude Program which facilitates classes and workshops for professional artists; The Art in Context Program which utilizes existing businesses as venues for performance and exhibition of works; and, the Outreach Program which strives to promote artistic, musical, cultural and historical development through organized festivals and events.
Frederick and the Arnaudville Experiment have adopted a rural, regional, non-centric approach, providing ‘connected’ cultural hubs of activity by utilizing artists and venues specifically within Arnaudville, Sunset, Grand Coteau, Cecilia and Breaux Bridge. The concept will ultimately create a network of venues and studios that feed the cultural economy. Frederick hopes to expand to include other communities including but not limited to: St. Martinville, Leonville, Youngsville, Broussard, Scott, Washington, Crowley, Eunice and Port Barre.
Arnaudville is far enough from Interstate access to prevent the onslaught of Big Box retailers and strip mall development; yet, close enough to provide for convenient access. Healthy communities have their retail activity sprinkled throughout the community, in this case, a regional community. Such a pattern promotes transportation in, of and around Acadiana thus providing cultural partners including: St. Martin Tourism, St. Landry Tourism, Opelousas Tourism, Lafayette Convention and Visitors Bureau, Acadiana Arts Council, LA Division of the Arts, LA Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Atchafalaya Trace Commission, Cultural Districts and the Teche Project, a marketable, comprehensive, regional plan.
Louisiana culinary Trails, Zydeco Cajun Scenic Byway, The Real French Destination Byway, Bayou Teche Scenic Byway, Atchafalaya National Heritage Area and Bayou Teche Corridor Project have already been put into place. The Arnaudville Experiment and Frederick l’Ecole des Arts are doing their part in developing a connected, regional cultural network that will have a profound impact on its valued cultural partners and the State of Louisiana as a whole.
In 2008, Mayor Kathy Richard and the Town Council created the Deux Bayous Cultural District, part of the Louisiana Cultural Districts Program, addressing 12 key principles outlined by Louisiana Cultural Districts legislation which includes: revitalizing neighborhoods, stimulating the economy, engaging residents, drawing tourists, providing a sense of community, serving as a gathering place, encouraging creativity, strengthening community partnerships, promoting the arts and supporting artists, developing a positive image of the area, enhancing property values, and capitalizing on local cultural, economic and social assets. This district allows for historic tax credits to buildings 50 years or older and zero sales taxes charged on original one-of-a-kind art purchases.
Currently, Mayor Richard and the Town Council along with St. Martin and St. Landry Parish Government are in the process of expanding the Deux Bayous Cultural District to include the entire community of Arnaudville, extending ¼ mile outside of the corporate city limit. As a result, the tiny Arnaudville will be the only community in the whole of Louisiana which has designated an entire municipality as a cultural district.
As a whole, the Deux Bayous Cultural District will consist of the following specialty areas:
- Bizaar de la Jonction Festival District
- Etouffee Festival District
- Fais do do Festival District
- Fire and Water/Le Feu et l’Eau Contemporary Arts District
- Krewe de la Jonction Mardi Gras District
- Oktoberfest Festival District
- Traditional Arts District
In addition to guidelines established by the Louisiana Legislature, the DB planning committee, in regards to the Fire and Water Contemporary Arts District, is also incorporating Low Impact Development principles which include:
- Range of housing opportunities and choices
- Distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place
- Preservation of open space, farmland, natural beauty and critical environmental areas
- Direct development towards existing communities
- Provide a variety of transportation choices
- Predictable, fair and cost effective development
- Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration
Professional Artist
Louisiana Division of the Arts, Board Member
Town Market Rural Arts Facility, Concept Development & Co-founder
Frederick l’Ecole des Arts, Concept Development & Co-founder
