LAFAYETTE, LA – April 3, 2024 – Downtown Lafayette is set to come alive with the Student Arts Expo, a festival of creativity and culture, brought to you by MacLaff, Inc. This exciting event is a collaborative effort between the Acadiana Center for the Arts and the Lafayette Parish School System, designed to showcase the talent of local students. Saturday, April 13, from 10 am to 6 pm, attendees are invited to immerse themselves in a world of artistic expression, featuring performances on three stages and art exhibits at every corner.

This free, family-oriented event takes over the streets of Downtown Lafayette, starting with a kickoff parade led by a student marching band down Jefferson Street at 10am. The energy continues to build throughout the day with live painting demonstrations by student artists along Jefferson Street and in Parc Sans Souci, some pieces of which will be up for auction. With hundreds of students performing, the festival highlights talent from Band, Chorale, Dance, and Theatre programs from across the parish.

Additionally, the Acadiana Center for the Arts will host the Student Artist Market, offering visitors the chance to purchase unique arts and crafts directly from the students themselves. Throughout the day, Jefferson Street and its businesses, along with Parc Sans Souci, will transform into a gallery space for attendees to enjoy.

The festival not only entertains but also aims to unite the community in support of Lafayette Parish’s budding creatives, celebrating their contributions to our culture and future.

Dr. Mark Rabalais, Lafayette Parish School System Associate Superintendent states, “Lafayette Parish takes great pride in the opportunities afforded to its students through community partnerships. The Students Arts Expo exemplifies a tremendous collaborative effort with the Acadiana Center for the Arts, nurturing student creativity. Providing a platform for students to showcase their talents enhances their pride and confidence in their talents and underscores the impact of this initiative. It is a part of what makes LPSS distinctive. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to everyone involved in this initiative and look forward to seeing our students’ artwork on display.”

AcA Executive Director Samuel Oliver remarked, “Student Arts Expo nurtures the next wave of creatives. Through events like this, our community learns to recognize the value of the arts in uplifting and empowering young people.”

In anticipation of the Student Arts Expo, AcA will also host an Arts in Education Roundtable on April 6, 2024, at 10am. This event promotes open dialogue on the significance of arts education in schools, facilitated by the Louisiana Music Educators Association, an affiliate of the National Association for Music Education. The roundtable invites individuals from various creative disciplines to discuss strategies for holistic education through music.

Since 1978, AcA’s partnership with the Lafayette Parish School System has been instrumental in providing every student access to the arts and diverse cultural experiences.

The Student Arts Expo is a testament to the collaborative spirit of the Acadiana Center for the Arts, Lafayette Parish School System, MacLaff Inc., and other local sponsors in elevating and celebrating the artistic talents of our youth.