For Immediate Release
February 17, 2010

 Fiddle Mania to Turn Downtown Opelousas into Exhibit

(Opelousas, LA) – Decoratively painted fiddles will waltz their way to downtown Opelousas this spring, part of a project called Fiddle Mania.  The project is similar to the Pelicans on Parade in Lafayette, Louisiana and Catfish for Kids in Shreveport, Louisiana.   

Fiddle Mania is a public art extravaganza designed to promote community pride, support the arts, and bring activity to the Main Street district in Opelousas, Louisiana. The idea for the project was spawned by Opelousas Main Street, Inc.

Fiddle Mania will feature larger-than-life, three dimensional, fiberglass fiddle sculptures – painted, decorated, adorned and embellished by area artists who will transform the instruments into works of art. 

The fiddles were cast by local artist Andrea Juneau. Beau’s Toys, an Opelousas business who specializes in restoring antique cars, will add the protective clear coat to the fiddle once the artist work is complete.  Beginning in April, the approximately twenty decorated fiddles will be placed around the historic St. Landry Parish Courthouse Square for a four-month long public exhibit. Each fiddle will be sponsored by a company or organization.  Sponsors may choose a “fiddle” from a portfolio of designs and artists who were selected to work with the project.  Sponsors can also choose to purchase their fiddles outright.  Artists receive an honorarium for their work. 

“Through our Main Street Program and the work of volunteers, we hope to ignite the enthusiasm to enliven downtown – to make it a place to meet, to dine and to shop,” said Opelousas Main Street Board Member and Fiddle Mania Co-Chair, Sabrina Salling.  The funds raised during this event will help Opelousas Main Street, Inc. fulfill its mission and continue to strengthen the Opelousas community through historic preservation and economic development.  “Being involved in Fiddle Mania makes sense in many ways – whether it’s the high-profile community participation, the advertising and promotional value or the charitable opportunity,” said Opelousas Main Street President Tommy Thomassie. 

Acadiana artists who will be designing for the fiddles include Vergie Banks, Michelle Fontenot, Christine Ledoux, Sue Boagni, June Lowry, Larry Hayes, Linda Meaux, Adrian Fulton, Gwenn Voorhies, Mary Beth Henry, Yvette Chapuis, Jerome Ford, Robbie Sebastien, Kenneth Scott, Robert Baxter and St. Landry Parish Art Instructors Kat Guidroz and Jerome Ford and their students.

Fiddle Mania is also supported through a grant from the LA Division of the Arts and the Acadiana Arts Council.  Proceeds of Fiddle Mania will benefit Opelousas Main Street, Inc.

For more information about Fiddle Mania or to request sponsorship information, please contact  Opelousas Main Street at 337-948-5227 or tourism@cityofopelousas.com