Student Arts Expo takes over Downtown Lafayette for a day of preK-12 performances and art exhibits on April 9, 10am-6pm
Student Arts Expo poster featured artwork by Kale M. and Kenya T., entitled “Family” (L.J. Alleman Middle, 6th grade). Poster design by Kate Ferry.
LAFAYETTE, LA – Student Arts Expo, presented by MacLaff Inc., takes over the streets of Downtown Lafayette on April 9, 2022, from 10am-6pm. Acadiana Center for the Arts created the Student Arts Expo in partnership with the Lafayette Parish School System to increase appreciation of the arts taking place in local public schools. The jam-packed day is free and open to the public and highlights youth of the community with performances and visual arts exhibits representing nearly every school in the Lafayette Parish School System by students in grades preK-12.
This year’s poster artwork is a unique collaboration. Artists Kale M. and Kenya T. are 6th grade students at L.J. Alleman. Kale started the piece, laying out the drawing and its concept, before an unexpected sick day sent Kale home. Due to the sickness, the piece was unfinished on its due date, and Kenya offered to complete it.
Dixie Hundley, their teacher said, “Kale was 75% complete—but he had a vision for it. Kenya volunteered to see his vision through and finish it for him. I thought it was so heartwarming.” They jointly decided to name the piece “Family” after their unique process of collaboration.
Student Arts Expo begins with the LUS Kickoff Parade at 10am, beginning in front of the AcA at 101 W. Vermilion St, and featuring the band, dancers, and theater department from J. Wallace James Elementary arts academy as well as students in the Talented Theatre Program.
Thirty student performances take place on two stages, including the Lafayette High and Acadiana High bands, several elementary school choirs, woodwinds, strings, and the “Singing Bulldogs” of Charles Burke Elementary.
The day features 30+ student visual arts exhibits, spread throughout 15 businesses and galleries in Downtown Lafayette. Guests can pick up a map and schedule from AcA to help guide them to specific schools’ exhibitions and performances.
Visitors can witness live painting demonstrations by middle and high school students with “Art in Action, presented by Tides Medical” under a tent on Jefferson Street from 10:30am to 2pm. The artwork created during the day will be available through a silent auction until 7pm.
Guests can peruse artwork for sale by young artists at the “Student Art Market, presented by Hancock Whitney”, on Jefferson Street from 10am-6pm. Artists run and operate their own booths under the supervision of a professional artist, and learn the basics of running a small business through their experience.
Children and families are invited to participate in several free art activities led by AcA teaching artists, with “Hands-on arts Activities, presented by MacLaff Inc.” from 10:30am to 3pm inside the AcA cafe.
“Student Arts Expo is one of our favorite days of the year,” says AcA Executive Director Samuel Oliver. “It gives a chance for students to work with and learn from professional artists, and we typically have about 2,000 student participants and 5,000 attendees.”
