Discovering the Public Art of Lafayette, Louisiana, Lafayette, Louisiana

Lafayette in Louisiana is a vibrant city, steeped in history and culture. Part of that culture is the public art of Lafayette, the colourful murals and other artworks that adorn the city streets.

Lafayette is sometimes known as Louisiana’s “Hub City” because of its central role in the region’s oil and gas industries. But, as a university city with diverse cultural roots, it is famous for its live music, traditional cuisine, and festivals that celebrate the best of its Creole and Cajun Heritage.

I saw this for myself when I visited Lafayette. The living history museum of Vermilionville brought the city’s diverse history to life, and at the Festivals Acadiens et Créoles, I enjoyed an extravaganza of food, music and traditional crafts. Then there was the public art, the projects that have breathed new life into the city with brightly coloured murals, sculptures and even street furniture.

Walk around downtown Lafayette and you’ll see murals everywhere. A good place to start is in Jefferson Street, where it seems as if almost every building boasts its own artwork. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).