Christy Marie Lush

@christylushceramics

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.

Bare Walls

@barewallslafayette

BARE Walls is an art subscription service, operated through Basin Arts, which turns “BARE” business walls into gallery space. The program objective is twofold: to provide an affordable way for businesses to have a creative and dynamic workspace and to provide residual income for working artists in our community. BARE Walls hopes to create ongoing relationships between local artists and businesses while sustaining the local community and increasing the overall value of our creative economy. Our main goal at BARE Walls is to bring together our local businesses and artists that live and work here in the our community. We have created a platform that makes supporting local artists easy and affordable while also beautifying your workplace. With a wide range of artistic styles to choose from, our program provides artwork that fits you budget and style. Original artwork in the work space has all sorts of benefits. Both employees and clients alike will be able to appreciate how the artwork within your business livens up the space. Also, the artwork rotates every 3 months, helping to keep a fresh look to your space. To see our amazing portfolio of artwork at https://www.barewallslafayette.com/

Tiffany Matt

@tmatt

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.

Kim Platt

@plattartwork

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.

Basin Arts

@basinarts

Basin Arts was established in 2016 by Founder and Creative Director, Clare Cook in Lafayette, Louisiana. As a non-profit arts incubator, Basin Arts is a container for creativity focused on supporting Louisiana artists towards a sustainable practice with the goal of increasing access to professional contemporary arts experiences and creating authentic relationships between artists and the greater community. Our work is multifaceted but our mission is simple: We support artists. We support artistic creation. We connect community to artists. We connect artists to community. Our programs include artist residencies, public art projects, our signature art rental program, BARE Walls, art exhibitions, critique night, movement classes for adults, unique performance events, and more! We are passionate about fostering creativity and collaboration across a variety of artistic disciplines. We are dedicated to nurturing artistic innovation within a supportive environment. We believe the arts are a powerful vehicle for improving overall quality of life. We are committed to engaging the community through inclusive and diverse artistic programming.

Paul Schexnayder

@schex

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.

Attakapas Collective

@attakapascollective

Attakapas Collective is a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) owned and managed co-op marketplace which encourages the collaboration of local crafts makers and cultural artisans of Louisiana. The mission of the collective is to celebrate Louisiana history, and enhance the quality of life of its people through the preservation, and presentation of the area's cultural and natural resources. In the spirit of trade demonstrated by the early native peoples, Atakapas-Ishak tribe this present-day trading post serves as a meeting place of ideas, creativity, collaboration and commerce; just as the original Poste des Attakapas Outpost served as a "meeting of minds" for peoples of all nations. Attakapas Collective is run by curator Erica Fox and consists of several multi-cultural artisans’ work including jewelry, art, apparel and more. The gallery-style showroom is located along the Atakapa-Ishak TRAIL in Downtown Lafayette, 100 E Vermilion Street, Suite 170 Lafayette, LA 70501

SINTHETIK MESSIAH

@sinthetikmessiah

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.

Acadiana Symphony Orchestra

@asoalicia

Acadiana Symphony Orchestra and Conservatory of Music is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, that was founded in Lafayette, Louisiana, in 1984, with a simple mission to inspire culture through music. ASO’s Symphony Orchestra is comprised of more than 50 musicians, who perform eleven regular season concerts per year, including four smaller, more intimate chamber music concerts, in collaboration with Acadiana Center for the Arts, as part of a series titled The Listening Room. ASO also hosts several special event concerts each year to raise money for its music education programs. The repertoire at these performances regularly explores music written by contemporary artists, and themes from modern popular culture. ASO’s Conservatory provides youth-focused music education programming that includes private, one-on-one music lessons, the 88 Keys & Me Piano Studio, summer camps, and an award-winning, Youth and Preparatory Orchestra program. Members of the Acadiana Symphony Youth and Preparatory Orchestras regularly perform throughout the year, including concerts with ASO’s professional Symphony. ASO strives to make the Symphony experience accessible to everyone, by offering affordable entry points and assorted opportunities for people of all backgrounds and musical tastes to enjoy classical music. To learn more about how you can get involved, buy tickets, or to donate, please visit acadianasymphony.org.