Two of New Iberia’s most notable natives will continue to inspire Acadiana through a new public park and exhibit hall under construction in the city’s historic downtown district.
Photos: George Rodrigue Park groundbreaking and Gov. Kathleen Blanco exhibit dedication
Attendees gather around an 8-feet-tall, three-sided statue based on late artist George Rodrigue's Blue Dog painting Thursday, February 7, 2019, during a groundbreaking ceremony for George Rodrigue Park in New Iberia, La.
Gov. John Bel Edwards and former Gov. Kathleen Blanco attend a groundbreaking ceremony for George Rodrigue Park Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
New Iberia Mayor Freddie DeCourt, left, and Iberia Parish President Larry Richard, center, chat with Gov. John Bel Edwards during a groundbreaking ceremony for George Rodrigue Park Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
City officials, members of George Rodrigue's family and others participate in a groundbreaking ceremony for George Rodrigue Park Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
Former Gov. Kathleen Blanco speaks during a dedication ceremony for the Bayou Teche Museum Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Exhibit Hall Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
Former Gov. Kathleen Blanco chats with Jacques, right, and Andre Rodrigue, the sons of late Blue Dog artist George Rodrigue, near an 8-foot Blue Dog sculpture during a groundbreaking ceremony for George Rodrigue Park Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
New Iberia Mayor Freddie DeCourt, second from left, tosses a bit of dirt as he and other city officials, Rodrigue family members and others participate in a groundbreaking ceremony for George Rodrigue Park Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
Gov. John Bel Edwards speaks during a dedication ceremony for the Bayou Teche Museum Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Exhibit Hall Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
Renderings and other information about George Rodrigue park are on display following a groundbreaking ceremony for the park Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
New Iberia Mayor Freddie DeCourt, right, and Iberia Parish President Larry Richard, left, chat with Gov. John Bel Edwards during a groundbreaking ceremony for George Rodrigue Park Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
New Iberia Mayor Freddie DeCourt speaks during a dedication ceremony for the Bayou Teche Museum Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Exhibit Hall Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
A three-sided Blue Dog sculpture stands at the site of George Rodrigue Park during a groundbreaking ceremony for the park Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
Attendees give former Gov. Kathleen Blanco, seated with her husband Raymond, a standing ovation during a dedication ceremony for the Bayou Teche Museum Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Exhibit Hall Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
Guests, including Gov. John Bel Edwards, right, and former Gov. Kathleen Blanco, center, sit on stage during a dedication ceremony for the Bayou Teche Museum Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Exhibit Hall Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
Gov. John Bel Edwards chats with former Gov. Kathleen Blanco and her husband Raymond during a dedication ceremony for the Bayou Teche Museum Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Exhibit Hall Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
Jacques and Andre Rodrigue, the sons of late Blue Dog artist George Rodrigue, stand near an 8-foot Blue Dog sculpture during a groundbreaking ceremony for George Rodrigue Park Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
Wendy Rodrigue attends a groundbreaking ceremony for George Rodrigue Park, named for her late husband, Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
Wendy Rodrigue attends a groundbreaking ceremony for George Rodrigue Park, named for her late husband, Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
A rendering for the completed George Rodrigue Park is on display Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
Gov. John Bel Edwards attends a groundbreaking ceremony for George Rodrigue Park Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
A rendering for the completed George Rodrigue Park is on display Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
Jacques Rodrigue speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony for George Rodrigue Park, named for his father, Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
Jacques Rodrigue looks up at a statue based on his father George Rodrigue's Blue Dog character during a groundbreaking ceremony for George Rodrigue Park Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
Former Gov. Kathleen Blanco chats with Louisiana Speaker of the House Taylor Barras during a groundbreaking ceremony for George Rodrigue Park Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
A dedication ceremony for the Bayou Teche Museum Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Exhibit Hall is held at the Sliman Theatre Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
Gov. John Bel Edwards and former Gov. Kathleen Blanco chat during a groundbreaking ceremony for George Rodrigue Park Thursday, February 7, 2019, in New Iberia, La.
Thursday’s celebration started with a groundbreaking ceremony for the George Rodrigue Park, which will pay tribute to the late Louisiana artist with a colorful 8-foot blue dog sculpture and children’s activity pavilion.
The park is at the corner of East Main Street and Serret Alley on the site of an old Masonic Lodge that burned down in 2012.
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New Iberia art teacher Paul Schexnayder had the idea to transform the charred city block into a space that could inspire children like the ones he teaches.
“I think it’s going to be really inspiring to anyone, but especially to a child,” Schexnayder said. “What child doesn’t like a dog? And this one is colorful and three-sided. It’s childlike and wonderful. Art should inspire people and make them want to do more creative things and that’s what this does.”
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After the groundbreaking, a crowd of about 150 attendees then walked from the corner of East Main Street and Serret Alley to the Sliman Theatre for a ceremony dedicating the new Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Exhibit Hall that will be installed inside the Bayou Teche Museum.
The exhibit hall will feature Blanco’s desk, an American flag that flew over the capitol on Blanco’s birthday, a research library and an art gallery with Rodrigue paintings.
Members of the Rodrigue family were in attendance, as were Gov. John Bel Edwards and former Gov. Kathleen Blanco.
During the dedication, Blanco recalled how her husband, Raymond, who was one of Rodrigue’s schoolteachers, had kicked Rodrigue out of class for doodling. When Blanco was governor, she said, Rodrigue loaned her several paintings that hung in her state capitol office — which he gave to her following her governorship.
The George Rodrigue Park and the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Exhibit Hall are expected to be completed in about a year.
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