Cindy Pitre is a witness to the positive effects of art. For the past two years, Pitre helped lead public art projects to brighten downtown Opelousas.

One downtown block, with former retailers like Abdalla’s and J. W. Low, and buildings that date back to the 1890s, was once the heartbeat of the city. Abandoned for decades, these buildings sit crumbling and molding away, amidst memories of what used to be.

“There’s no graffiti, no broken windows,” said Pitre, an art teacher at Opelousas Catholic School since 1996. “There’s a sense of respect and timelessness in the downtown area. But it was not a happy site.

“But every time I go to put new artwork up, people go out of their way to come up and say, ‘When is this store going to open?’ or ‘I remember when J. W. Low was here.’ It’s definitely a happier place.”

With help from City of Opelousas Tourism and Main Street Opelousas, artworks from Pitre, students and professional artists are turning heads in downtown Opelousas. The art is adorning empty storefront windows, the downtown fire station and even bringing national attention to the city.

Light into darkness

The art projects date back to the spring of 2015 when grant money helped launch Spring Eggs-spressions, oversized, decorated eggs from local students. The effort led to Museum Without Walls, exhibits that put art in the windows of mom-and-pop stores darkened since the 1980s oil bust and invasion of corporate, discount retailers.

“Art That Moves,” a children’s community mural, brightens the vacant storefront of the old Anthony’s Dept. Store. More than 60 artists paid $5 to participate in this paint-by-the-numbers mural, done on a portable, vinyl canvas that stands 16 feet tall and 18 feet wide.

Youth Leadership Program, part of the city’s Chamber of Commerce, painted striped, street crosswalks that resemble piano keys. One design included a theme from the state song, “You Are My Sunshine.”

Art Box, a studio and gallery offering classes and painting events, opened a downtown location.

One of the latest projects is the Welcome to Opelousas Postcard Mural on the wall of the Delta Grand, a historic theater that opened in 1934. Done in a vintage postcard design, the mural contains artist renditions of local landmarks, musicians, agriculture, wildlife and cultural icons.
 

A 2016 Micro Grant from America Walks, a national advocacy organization that promotes walking in communities, fueled the project. The organization received more than 800 applicants.

The Opelousas exhibit was one of only 22 projects, which stretched from Hawaii to Maine, to receive funding. Opelousas was featured in the “Every Body Walk!” newsletter.

Melanie Lee Lebouef, the city’s tourism director, said the downtown art has many effects.

“Not only is it a beautification tool, but it’s also an awareness for people to stop and see these buildings as opportunities,” said Lebouef. “Hopefully, it will attract people to look at the buildings differently and think that they would utilize a building for something, whether it’s retail or a service industry.”

“We are seeing momentum, as far as more art, in the downtown area,” added Lebouef. “It’s a really good time right now. There seems to be different sparks throughout the city with organizations that are willing to help.

“We can see this is building community pride. Anytime people start connecting, that’s when ideas start happening.”

‘Moving toward 2020’

Opelousas aims to keep the momentum going. Pitre and other artists have been painting large panels, done in the abstract style of Mark Rothko, to place in the long-empty Abdalla’s storefront.

Students from the Magnet Academy of Cultural Arts have created a “Soul Train” mural that’s also ready to go.

In 2020, Opelousas, the state’s third-oldest city, celebrates its 300th anniversary. Locally-produced art will help decorate the scene.

“It’s kind of a movement now,” said Pitre. “It’s going in its own direction.

“This is moving toward 2020. We want that whole block filled. We want the building owners to be part of the vision.

“I do this because this is where I live,” added Pitre. “I’ve got to work with people I’ve admired for a long time.

“My students’ work will be seen by thousands of people. It’s just so rewarding.”