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Discover the artists creating culture in Acadiana. Use filters to find people to collaborate with, support, or learn from across the local arts community.
Two-time Grammy Award–winning artist Terrance Simien brings more than 40 years of powerful, high-quality performances rooted in Black American zydeco traditions. An eighth-generation, multicultural and multi racial French speaking Louisiana Creole, Simien blends infectious rhythms, soulful vocals, and deep cultural storytelling into performances that move audiences across generations and borders. Leading a dynamic intergenerational band of veteran masters and rising Gen Z musicians, Simien delivers a live experience that honors tradition while pushing the music forward—making every performance both a celebration and a cultural statement. The Zydeco Experience band: Danny Williams, Stan Chambers, Ian Molinaro-Thompson, Noah Boshra, Robbie Wallace. History Matters: 1981–1996, An emerging artist and early success in roots music. Terrance Simien emerged as a pivotal figure in zydeco’s 1980s revival. At 16 he formed one of only two teen zydeco bands in the world, stepping into a genre led by artists 30–40 years his senior and at risk of fading from American roots music. His early leadership bridged generations, driving innovation and ensuring zydeco remained a living tradition. By 21 he was signed to a national booking agency, toured Europe with Fats Domino and Sarah Vaughan, and soon landed a major label deal. In 1986 his band became the first zydeco group ever seen on the big screen in The Big Easy starring Dennis Quaid and Elle Barkin. Simien co-wrote Closer to You with Quaid for the love scene in the film. “A Zydeco Master” – Rolling Stone Magazine “The most unique stylist in the genre; Simien falls outside any zydeco camp you care to mention. His genius stems from his uncompromising originality, progressive spirit and willingness to tackle what others deemed absurd.” — Offbeat Magazine The Next 30 Years 1996-2026: An accomplished career. Simien has performed 8,500+ shows across 40+ countries, earned two Grammy Awards, collaborated, shared studio and stage with Los Lobos, Paul Simon, the late Robert Palmer, Stevie Wonder, Dr. John, and Dave Matthews Band to name a few. In 2000 he launched Creole for Kidz and the History of Zydeco, the only K–12 program of its kind, reaching over 250,000 students, parents, and educators. Disney Amplifies Zydeco: Simien collaborates with Randy Newman for the film. In 2008, Simien gets a call from Disney asking if he wanted to collaborate with Randy Newman on a song for a new animated Disney film. He said yes, and the rest is history. Zydeco is now embedded into global pop culture through The Princess and the Frog (2009), the studio’s first Black princess story set in New Orleans. The reach exploded with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (2024) ride at Disneyland and Magic Kingdom featuring Princess Tiana and a live Zydeco Critter Band. With 55 million U.S. theme park visitors in 2024 and Disney+ streaming to 150+ million subscribers, millions now experience zydeco’s cultural contributions to the music landscape of America.
Carley Dupré is an interdisciplinary artist and art educator based in Lafayette, Louisiana. Her work reflects on memory, home, and the relationships that surround her. She loves expressing herself through ceramics, metalwork, painting, and textiles and is always finding new ways to combine the media together. She graduated in Fall 2025 with a BFA in ceramics from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she has been honored as the Outstanding Graduate for the College of the Arts. Her work has been exhibited at the Acadiana Center for the Arts as well as other galleries in the region, and she has received several scholarships and grants for her artistic achievements. Passionate about both making and teaching, Carley is committed to fostering creative communities in the studio and beyond.
Francis X. Pavy (b. 1954) maintains a studio practice in Lafayette, Louisiana. His career began with televised art instruction, specifically the program Drawing with Jon Gnagey, which introduced him to the construction of imagery through basic geometric shapes. At age six, he received formal color theory instruction from Elmore Morgan Jr. Although he entered university as a music major, he shifted his focus to visual arts and earned a degree in sculpture. Following his academic studies, Pavy entered the glass industry. He worked in a professional shop producing stained and beveled glass before establishing his own independent glass studio. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he maintained this glass practice while transitioning into oil painting. He initially focused on portraiture before the subject matter evolved to encompass the iconography of South Louisiana. This period established his presence in the national art scene; in 1990, Rolling Stone magazine labeled him the “Picasso of Zydeco.” This year coincided with his solo debuts in Los Angeles and Rennes, France. His work reached international audiences through the traveling exhibition Elvis and Marilyn: 2× Immortal (1994–1998) and Outward Bound: American Art on the Brink of the 21st Century (1999–2000). Pavy’s process mirrors his background in sculpture and glass construction. He begins with a blank canvas and adds elements sequentially, allowing each shape or color to dictate the subsequent phase of the composition. Collaborations with musicians and writers form a significant portion of his portfolio. He created record sleeve art for Tom Tom Club and collaborated with Zachary Richard. His illustrations appear in Christmas Stories from Louisiana, published by the University Press of Mississippi. He has also produced multiple official posters for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. His public commissions occupy major institutional spaces, including the LSU Ourso College of Business in Baton Rouge, Tulane University, the Lafayette Surgical Specialty Hospital, the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, and Caesars Harrah’s Casino. In 2025, Pavy received the LINEAGE Award and published his retrospective, Forty Years Painting French Louisiana. The book organizes four decades of work into five-year chronological increments. His current work explores spatial computing through a partnership with InfoLink, an augmented reality firm. This collaboration utilizes a 3D spatial browser, allowing viewers to experience his imagery via mobile devices and tablets, bridging his traditional painting roots with digital technology.
Brooke Broussard’s life began where the Pecan Island marsh meets the Gulf of Mexico, and she now seeks to explore the furthest reaches of Acadiana through its art. Based in Vermilion Parish still (and likely forever), Lafayette serves as the cultural metro-hub of her French Louisiana. She has engaged in community reporting, feature writing, and cultural narration for over 20 years as a writer. She currently specializes in writing for artists, and acting as a creative doula and dramaturg for those looking to expand and examine their voices. Notable clients include Andrina Turenne, The Holiday Playgirls, Maaliyah Symoné, Francis Pavy, Roz LeCompte, and Drake LeBlanc.
Maaliyah Symoné (b. Lake Charles, Louisiana) is an Afro-Indigenous + Louisiana Creole artist and storyteller, acting here as a facilitator for one of humankind’s most essential (and simultaneously most neglected) functions – rest. Symoné’s previous work in film and visual art has secured her place as a reminder to us to seek and sustain a deeper connection with the natural world and the people who come before us, with us, and after us. In her present work, the emphasis is on connecting and nurturing the self through the practice of rest.
A poet most of my life, I began painting in 2015. As a poet I worked with Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso and William Burroughs 1980-83. In 2014 my son, Jonah Bascle passed away. To deal with the loss I began painting. Art quieted my mind and started me on a new journey.
Visionary Artist, DJ, Country music lover, figure skater, and aerialist. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia currently living in Lafayette, LA. Studied Civil Engineering at University of New Orleans.
The creative arts captivated Christy Marie Lush at a very early age. At nine years old she was told by a sympathetic teacher that she was an artist in the making. Through a year of extreme difficulty, drawing became a safe space. She decided then that she wanted to know how to draw everything and it continues to be a reliable source of inspiration. Over the years, drawing has served to inform her three-dimensional work in clay. As she completed her BFA at the University of Louisiana in 2007, opportunities to hone her skills as a sculptor presented themselves at every turn. From welding steel to teaching wheel throwing, Christy's ideas come from a desire to facilitate cooperation between the viewer and the art work. In her view, her art should always present the possibility of a learning experience or a way to play. Her ideas are based on puzzles, toys and games that use simple machines to function, bringing to mind how it is a synonym for free will, human nature and decision making. Our actions with these collaborative pieces of art represent who we are in that moment we participate.
Tiffany Matt, was born and raised in the Acadiana Area of South La. She grew up in Pine Prairie and currently resides in the small historic town of Washington. Her step-father, who raised her as his own, was /an Army trained photographer and she credits him for her love of photography. She is also a Registered nurse and has a love for both the Sciences and the Arts. Her background also includes music and creative writing. In her late teens/early 20's, she also wrote song lyrics for musicians . On Jan 1, 2017, she ordered her first DSLR camera and enrolled in a Basic Photography Course through the Continuing Education Program at UL of Lafayette. After completing the course, she went on to enroll in the infamous New York Institute of Photography and graduated from their Professional Photography course in 2018. Tiffany, has a unique "eye" that was noticed very early on in her formal studies. She has the unique ability to capture the beauty of mundane everyday things and is not afraid to "step out the box" and take chances. In addition, she is able to capture poignant moments that draw you in and make you feel as if "you are there". She is often quoted as saying, " I don't see my shots, I "feel" them". That is very evident when you see her work. She is a member of the Lafayette Art Association, Lafayette Photographic Society and the La. Chapter of the Professional Photographers Association.
I am a self-taught artist from Lafayette, LA with a passion for painting that began at a young age. I currently combine traditional and contemporary styles using acrylic paint on canvas as well as wood. My paintings attempt to capture the unique beauty found in South Louisiana. Our vibrant culture and stunning wildlife are constant inspirations.
Paul Schexnayder has been a professional artist for more than 30 years. He graduated with a BFA in Painting and Drawing from LSU in 1988. He still follows his college professor’s advice to draw every day. After 4 years teaching art in the Boston area, he moved back to New Iberia to be a full-time artist. He has been selected as the official artist for many local and state festivals. His work has been in numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout the United States. Paul launched his own line of art products called happy cajun in 2006. Schexnayder is also an award-winning children’s book writer and has three published with UL Press. He has also won several awards for his short animation films. Since 2018, he has completed 5 murals in and around New Iberia. Paul and his wife, Lee live in New Iberia and have three kids. They have owned A & E Gallery for 11 years which features over 10 local artists. He has taught art for over 30 years and is currently a visual arts teacher in the Talent Program in Iberia parish. Schexnayder’s work flow from narrative and whimsical to poetic and lyrical. His signature colorful paintings are very recognizable and highly collectable. Southern Living magazine called them “vibrant, vivacious paintings of Bayou State Life” and the Salem News said “Schexnayder's works represent the heart and soul of Louisiana” Paul says he works best in series which are as fluid as a backyard bayou.
Blending various elements of industrial, electro, dance, rock, ambient and pop.The international act SINthetik Messiah(SM) is the work of the Cajun songwriter and sound designer, Bug Gigabyte. The name is a misspelling of the of the term 'synthetic messiah', which is the pronunciation used by the band.SM has received radio play,publicity and respect from peers alike from around the globe.
Two-time Grammy Award–winning artist Terrance Simien brings more than 40 years of powerful, high-quality performances rooted in Black American zydeco traditions. An eighth-generation, multicultural and multi racial French speaking Louisiana Creole, Simien blends infectious rhythms, soulful vocals, and deep cultural storytelling into performances that move audiences across generations and borders. Leading a dynamic intergenerational band of veteran masters and rising Gen Z musicians, Simien delivers a live experience that honors tradition while pushing the music forward—making every performance both a celebration and a cultural statement. The Zydeco Experience band: Danny Williams, Stan Chambers, Ian Molinaro-Thompson, Noah Boshra, Robbie Wallace. History Matters: 1981–1996, An emerging artist and early success in roots music. Terrance Simien emerged as a pivotal figure in zydeco’s 1980s revival. At 16 he formed one of only two teen zydeco bands in the world, stepping into a genre led by artists 30–40 years his senior and at risk of fading from American roots music. His early leadership bridged generations, driving innovation and ensuring zydeco remained a living tradition. By 21 he was signed to a national booking agency, toured Europe with Fats Domino and Sarah Vaughan, and soon landed a major label deal. In 1986 his band became the first zydeco group ever seen on the big screen in The Big Easy starring Dennis Quaid and Elle Barkin. Simien co-wrote Closer to You with Quaid for the love scene in the film. “A Zydeco Master” – Rolling Stone Magazine “The most unique stylist in the genre; Simien falls outside any zydeco camp you care to mention. His genius stems from his uncompromising originality, progressive spirit and willingness to tackle what others deemed absurd.” — Offbeat Magazine The Next 30 Years 1996-2026: An accomplished career. Simien has performed 8,500+ shows across 40+ countries, earned two Grammy Awards, collaborated, shared studio and stage with Los Lobos, Paul Simon, the late Robert Palmer, Stevie Wonder, Dr. John, and Dave Matthews Band to name a few. In 2000 he launched Creole for Kidz and the History of Zydeco, the only K–12 program of its kind, reaching over 250,000 students, parents, and educators. Disney Amplifies Zydeco: Simien collaborates with Randy Newman for the film. In 2008, Simien gets a call from Disney asking if he wanted to collaborate with Randy Newman on a song for a new animated Disney film. He said yes, and the rest is history. Zydeco is now embedded into global pop culture through The Princess and the Frog (2009), the studio’s first Black princess story set in New Orleans. The reach exploded with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (2024) ride at Disneyland and Magic Kingdom featuring Princess Tiana and a live Zydeco Critter Band. With 55 million U.S. theme park visitors in 2024 and Disney+ streaming to 150+ million subscribers, millions now experience zydeco’s cultural contributions to the music landscape of America.
Carley Dupré is an interdisciplinary artist and art educator based in Lafayette, Louisiana. Her work reflects on memory, home, and the relationships that surround her. She loves expressing herself through ceramics, metalwork, painting, and textiles and is always finding new ways to combine the media together. She graduated in Fall 2025 with a BFA in ceramics from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she has been honored as the Outstanding Graduate for the College of the Arts. Her work has been exhibited at the Acadiana Center for the Arts as well as other galleries in the region, and she has received several scholarships and grants for her artistic achievements. Passionate about both making and teaching, Carley is committed to fostering creative communities in the studio and beyond.
Francis X. Pavy (b. 1954) maintains a studio practice in Lafayette, Louisiana. His career began with televised art instruction, specifically the program Drawing with Jon Gnagey, which introduced him to the construction of imagery through basic geometric shapes. At age six, he received formal color theory instruction from Elmore Morgan Jr. Although he entered university as a music major, he shifted his focus to visual arts and earned a degree in sculpture. Following his academic studies, Pavy entered the glass industry. He worked in a professional shop producing stained and beveled glass before establishing his own independent glass studio. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he maintained this glass practice while transitioning into oil painting. He initially focused on portraiture before the subject matter evolved to encompass the iconography of South Louisiana. This period established his presence in the national art scene; in 1990, Rolling Stone magazine labeled him the “Picasso of Zydeco.” This year coincided with his solo debuts in Los Angeles and Rennes, France. His work reached international audiences through the traveling exhibition Elvis and Marilyn: 2× Immortal (1994–1998) and Outward Bound: American Art on the Brink of the 21st Century (1999–2000). Pavy’s process mirrors his background in sculpture and glass construction. He begins with a blank canvas and adds elements sequentially, allowing each shape or color to dictate the subsequent phase of the composition. Collaborations with musicians and writers form a significant portion of his portfolio. He created record sleeve art for Tom Tom Club and collaborated with Zachary Richard. His illustrations appear in Christmas Stories from Louisiana, published by the University Press of Mississippi. He has also produced multiple official posters for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. His public commissions occupy major institutional spaces, including the LSU Ourso College of Business in Baton Rouge, Tulane University, the Lafayette Surgical Specialty Hospital, the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, and Caesars Harrah’s Casino. In 2025, Pavy received the LINEAGE Award and published his retrospective, Forty Years Painting French Louisiana. The book organizes four decades of work into five-year chronological increments. His current work explores spatial computing through a partnership with InfoLink, an augmented reality firm. This collaboration utilizes a 3D spatial browser, allowing viewers to experience his imagery via mobile devices and tablets, bridging his traditional painting roots with digital technology.
Brooke Broussard’s life began where the Pecan Island marsh meets the Gulf of Mexico, and she now seeks to explore the furthest reaches of Acadiana through its art. Based in Vermilion Parish still (and likely forever), Lafayette serves as the cultural metro-hub of her French Louisiana. She has engaged in community reporting, feature writing, and cultural narration for over 20 years as a writer. She currently specializes in writing for artists, and acting as a creative doula and dramaturg for those looking to expand and examine their voices. Notable clients include Andrina Turenne, The Holiday Playgirls, Maaliyah Symoné, Francis Pavy, Roz LeCompte, and Drake LeBlanc.
Maaliyah Symoné (b. Lake Charles, Louisiana) is an Afro-Indigenous + Louisiana Creole artist and storyteller, acting here as a facilitator for one of humankind’s most essential (and simultaneously most neglected) functions – rest. Symoné’s previous work in film and visual art has secured her place as a reminder to us to seek and sustain a deeper connection with the natural world and the people who come before us, with us, and after us. In her present work, the emphasis is on connecting and nurturing the self through the practice of rest.
A poet most of my life, I began painting in 2015. As a poet I worked with Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso and William Burroughs 1980-83. In 2014 my son, Jonah Bascle passed away. To deal with the loss I began painting. Art quieted my mind and started me on a new journey.
Visionary Artist, DJ, Country music lover, figure skater, and aerialist. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia currently living in Lafayette, LA. Studied Civil Engineering at University of New Orleans.
The creative arts captivated Christy Marie Lush at a very early age. At nine years old she was told by a sympathetic teacher that she was an artist in the making. Through a year of extreme difficulty, drawing became a safe space. She decided then that she wanted to know how to draw everything and it continues to be a reliable source of inspiration. Over the years, drawing has served to inform her three-dimensional work in clay. As she completed her BFA at the University of Louisiana in 2007, opportunities to hone her skills as a sculptor presented themselves at every turn. From welding steel to teaching wheel throwing, Christy's ideas come from a desire to facilitate cooperation between the viewer and the art work. In her view, her art should always present the possibility of a learning experience or a way to play. Her ideas are based on puzzles, toys and games that use simple machines to function, bringing to mind how it is a synonym for free will, human nature and decision making. Our actions with these collaborative pieces of art represent who we are in that moment we participate.
Tiffany Matt, was born and raised in the Acadiana Area of South La. She grew up in Pine Prairie and currently resides in the small historic town of Washington. Her step-father, who raised her as his own, was /an Army trained photographer and she credits him for her love of photography. She is also a Registered nurse and has a love for both the Sciences and the Arts. Her background also includes music and creative writing. In her late teens/early 20's, she also wrote song lyrics for musicians . On Jan 1, 2017, she ordered her first DSLR camera and enrolled in a Basic Photography Course through the Continuing Education Program at UL of Lafayette. After completing the course, she went on to enroll in the infamous New York Institute of Photography and graduated from their Professional Photography course in 2018. Tiffany, has a unique "eye" that was noticed very early on in her formal studies. She has the unique ability to capture the beauty of mundane everyday things and is not afraid to "step out the box" and take chances. In addition, she is able to capture poignant moments that draw you in and make you feel as if "you are there". She is often quoted as saying, " I don't see my shots, I "feel" them". That is very evident when you see her work. She is a member of the Lafayette Art Association, Lafayette Photographic Society and the La. Chapter of the Professional Photographers Association.
I am a self-taught artist from Lafayette, LA with a passion for painting that began at a young age. I currently combine traditional and contemporary styles using acrylic paint on canvas as well as wood. My paintings attempt to capture the unique beauty found in South Louisiana. Our vibrant culture and stunning wildlife are constant inspirations.
Paul Schexnayder has been a professional artist for more than 30 years. He graduated with a BFA in Painting and Drawing from LSU in 1988. He still follows his college professor’s advice to draw every day. After 4 years teaching art in the Boston area, he moved back to New Iberia to be a full-time artist. He has been selected as the official artist for many local and state festivals. His work has been in numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout the United States. Paul launched his own line of art products called happy cajun in 2006. Schexnayder is also an award-winning children’s book writer and has three published with UL Press. He has also won several awards for his short animation films. Since 2018, he has completed 5 murals in and around New Iberia. Paul and his wife, Lee live in New Iberia and have three kids. They have owned A & E Gallery for 11 years which features over 10 local artists. He has taught art for over 30 years and is currently a visual arts teacher in the Talent Program in Iberia parish. Schexnayder’s work flow from narrative and whimsical to poetic and lyrical. His signature colorful paintings are very recognizable and highly collectable. Southern Living magazine called them “vibrant, vivacious paintings of Bayou State Life” and the Salem News said “Schexnayder's works represent the heart and soul of Louisiana” Paul says he works best in series which are as fluid as a backyard bayou.
Blending various elements of industrial, electro, dance, rock, ambient and pop.The international act SINthetik Messiah(SM) is the work of the Cajun songwriter and sound designer, Bug Gigabyte. The name is a misspelling of the of the term 'synthetic messiah', which is the pronunciation used by the band.SM has received radio play,publicity and respect from peers alike from around the globe.