Art of the People

Lafayette, Louisiana routinely makes larger-than-life headlines.The award-winning cuisine wins constant praise and earns top rankings in national publications. The city is home to several Grammy-winning musicians and

its rich music scene is both diverse and evolving yet rooted in centuries-old tradition. Art of the People, explores Lafayette's famous culture from a different perspective . . . through its public art.

For decades a number of renowned visual artists have found inspiration here and left their mark in a variety of ways. Sometimes hidden, sometimes hidden in plain view, Lafayette's public artwork makes a physical statement about the history of a people and their ever-alluring energy. From murals to sculpture to moving water, artists continue to blend re ections of the past into expressions of a future destined for constant enjoyment of life at its essence.

Through vivid photos and rich back stories, Art of the People provides a visual tour of public art expressed by this town once dubbed the "Happiest City in America." It connects you with the unlikely mingling of cultures that created a perfect recipe of passion and camaraderie often referred to as "Joie de Vivre" (literally "Joy of Life"). It's a snapshot of an ongoing tale about cultures and inspiration mixed like no other -- in a city where people simply expect everyday life to be colorful, vibrant and fun.