FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        Contact:  Delores Guillory
March 30, 2009                                                                                                 (337) 948-2589
                                                                                                museum@cityofopelousas.com

‘Fifty Years of Commercial Art’ Exhibit to Open at Opelousas Museum & Interpretive Center

(Opelousas, LA) – “50 Years of  Commercial Arts,”  by noted  Opelousas artist J.A. Allen, will open with a preview reception on Wednesday, April 8, 2009, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Opelousas Museum & Interpretive Center, 315 North Main Street, Opelousas, LA.  The exhibit runs until June 1, 2009.

Known for his hundreds of sketches of landmarks and buildings of Opelousas and St. Landry Parish, Allen spent much of his years in the field of commercial art.  Through the years he has designed logos, labels, menu covers, floats, t-shirts, and interior and store window displays.  The official city seal used by the City of Opelousas was also one of Allen’s designs.  

While Allen has illustrated a variety of books, one of his most popular is a Cajun Coloring book titled ‘C is for French.’ Other publications of Allen include cookbooks and a sketchbook.

Allen is a member of Opelousas Art League, Board Member of Opelousas Little Theater, Knight of Columbus Council 1173, St. Landry Preservationist Society, Imperial St. Landry Genealogical History Society, Red Stick Slapsticks Clown Alley and and Boys Scout Troop 32.  Allen was also the recipient of Opelousas St. Landry Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award, Sertoma Service to Mankind Award, F.B.L.A. Hall of Fame,

Allen is an 86 year old lifetime resident of Opelousas.  He is a graduate of Opelousas High School and the New Orleans Academy of Arts.  He was married to the late Geraldine Needom of Algiers, LA.  Together, they had two daughter Beth Allen and Dody Korn and four grand-children and one great-grand child.

The Opelousas Museum & Interpretive Center is opened Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.    For more information or to schedule a tour, please contact the Opelousas Museum & Interpretive Center at (337) 948-2589.