FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2021
Creole-Zydeco Themed Art Wrapped Traffic Boxed Unveiled in Opelousas
(Opelousas, LA) – A traffic signal box that pays homage to Creole traditions was unveiled Thursday, March 18 at the intersection of Creswell Lane at I-49 Service Road in Opelousas. The art for the box was designed by Alicia Johnson-Black. At the event, Black stated that the inspiration for her art box stemmed from the desire to pay tribute to her hometown’s culture, resulting in the designs of trail riders, the King of Zydeco, and legendary Zydeco dance halls. On the scene were St. Landry Parish Tourism Director Herman Fuselier, Mayor Alsandor and City Alderman Marvin Richard, Members of Celebrate 300 Committee, Chairman of Opelousas Downtown Development District, Lena Charles, Members of I-49 Trail Riders, previous Boxed Art artists and several Opelousas Citizens. The Boxed Art Project helps to highlight the community’s character and culture, enhances public spaces, and highlights artists and their talents in our area. The project began as one of the activities for the City’s 300-year celebration in 2020.
A native of Opelousas, Black has been a high school art teacher in the New Orleans area since 2013 after obtaining a Bachelor of Art with a concentration in painting from McNeese State University and a Post-Baccalaureate in K-12 Art Education at Southern University of New Orleans. She was also part of Opelousas Main Street’s Fiddle Mania public art exhibit in 2012. Alicia and her husband and daughter currently reside in Slidell, Louisiana.
Organized by Opelousas Tourism, with support from the City of Opelousas, a total of seven art-wrapped traffic boxes have been completed and unveiled which include boxes located at Wallior, Vine, and Landry Streets featuring art by Jerome Ford, Court and Landry Street featuring art by Sue Boagni, Union and Dunbar Streets featuring art by B.J. Smith, North Railroad Avenue and West Church Street featuring art by Ke’Shawn Collins, Bellevue and Main Streets featuring art by Rebecca Henry, and Vine and Market Streets featuring art by Gerri Soileau, and now at the intersection of Creswell Lane at I-49 Service Road featuring art by Alicia Johnson-Black.
Funding for the project is made possible through a grant from Union Pacific Foundation awarded to Opelousas Tourism secured. For more information about Boxed Art, email tourism@cityofopelousas.com
Last modified: June 21, 2022
