EmileWaagenaar and Francis Pavy Exhibitions at AcA - 09/06/2006

Opening reception and Cajun music jam to be held on September 9, 2006 at ArtWalk

Lafayette, La: On September 9, 2006, in conjunction with Second Saturday ArtWalk in downtown Lafayette, two new exhibitions will open at Acadiana Center for the Arts. An opening reception will be held during ArtWalk, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at which both artists will be present.

La Joie de la Musique: Photography by Emile Waagenaar
September 9 - November 25, 2006 in the Main Gallery
In the late 1970s, Emile Waagenaar, a native of The Netherlands, discovered Cajun music. Listening to the radio one day, he heard the traditional music from the south of Louisiana and in 1982, while   visiting the USA, decided to find the man whose music he heard. So began his search for Ambrose Thibodeaux.

Thibodeaux told him about his life, the Cajuns and their history. During his first visit to Louisiana in 1982, Waagenaar was so touched by the heartfelt hospitality of the Cajun people that he felt drawn to document these unique musicians through photography. He has traveled to Louisiana six times over the last 30 years and has photographed legendary musicians such as Aldus Roger, Milton Adams and Nonc Allie Young.

"Because I strongly feel photography must tell a visual story, I chose to shoot the portraits of these musicians in their home environments. The photo sessions were in their living rooms, at their kitchen tables and even in front of their cars!" says Waagenaar.

The exhibition includes 75 black and white photographs featuring Cajun Dance Halls and portraits of Cajun musicians such as Shelton Manuel, Morris and Alphonse Ardoin, Eddie Shuler and Ambrose Thibodeaux, among others.

During the exhibition's opening reception, Waagenaar will be honored with the Key to the City, presented by City-Parish President Joey Durel.

La Joie de la Musique: Photography by Emile Waagenaar is generously sponsored by the Cajun French Music Association, the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission and Dr. F. Jay Culotta, Jr.

The Joy of Music: Artworks by Francis X. Pavy
September 9 - September 30, 2006 in the Small Gallery
A native of Acadiana, Francis X. Pavy is known for his narrative artworks featuring icons and patterns, depicted through a saturation of color. The Joy of Music will include large one-panel paintings, small multi-paneled artworks and sculptures which focus on recurring musical icons such as guitars, accordions and dancing figures, depicting the joy of music experienced in southern Louisiana. The Joy of Music is generously sponsored by the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission and Dr. F. Jay Culotta, Jr.

Also during ArtWalk on September 9, the Acadiana Center for the Arts will present a Cajun music jam featuring Ray Abshire and Courtney Granger. The jam will take place in The ArtHouse at the AcA from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. All are welcome to attend and join in.

Acadiana Arts Council Opening hours:
Acadiana Center for the Arts Tuesday - Friday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
101 W. Vermilion St. Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Lafayette, LA 70501 Closed Sunday and Monday
(337) 233-7060 tel
(337) 233-7062 fax
www.AcadianaArtsCouncil.org
info@AcadianaArtsCouncil.org