Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • Classifieds
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / News / ArtWalk takes New Orleans theme with ‘CajunFest’

ArtWalk takes New Orleans theme with ‘CajunFest’

April 15, 2014 by Catherine Blakemore

Last Thursday, members of the Abilene community gathered on Cypress Street in Downtown Abilene for ArtWalk’s CajunFest.

Every second Thursday of the month, The Center for Contemporary Arts presents an art festival on Cypress St. The event brings the community of Abilene, the local artists and businesses owners together typically for a philanthropic cause.

Businesses on Cypress St. participate in each ArtWalk by either staying open or creating a sidewalk table to join the festivities. Business owner Jerry Hendrix, the entrepreneur behind Monk’s Coffee Shop, participates each time ArtWalk happens.

“It is important to bring the downtown community together and to encourage others to join us once a month at ArtWalk,” Hendrix said. “The ArtWalk themes are driven primarily by sponsors. [It] gives us the opportunity to be a part of something without having to create something our self. We are able to join in the festivities and create our own fun in order to add to the events planned by the center.”

On April 10, the theme for the night was CajunFest. ArtWalk hosted an authentic shrimp and crawfish boil from Two Daddy’s Crawfish from Bossier City, La. Tickets were $15 for adults and $8 for children.

Mat Medders, freshman undeclared major from Benton, Ark., went to last week’s CajunFest and has previously attended ArtWalk.

“College students should participate in ArtWalk so that they can experience life in downtown Abilene while also getting to support local artists,” Medders said. “I think it is important for Abilene to include its college students in community events so that they might feel at home, away from home.”

Medders also said ArtWalk provides the opportunity to get to know some of the community’s older members and to be involved and aware of local organizations.”

The proceeds of the event last week went to help raise funds to provide scholarships to the seniors in Abilene who need money for secondary education. Funds raised by the Abilene Education Foundation last year was more than $54,000, with a large sum of that coming from CajunFest.

Student involvement is low but the events offer a chance for ACU students to interact with the Abilene community and learn the art and culture that it has to offer.

Tracy Richardson, junior marketing major from Katy, attended ArtWalk for the first time last week.

“I absolutely loved seeing the community coming together to learn about one another and support one another,” Richardson said. “After all, that’s what a community is all about. The downtown area is the heart of Abilene. There is no other location that would have been as inviting and special as that area for the ArtWalk. It’s part of what makes Abilene unique.”

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Artwalk

Other News:

  • Engineering department adapts ride-in car for local boy

  • McCracken gets slice at dream role in ‘Sweeney Todd’

  • Wessel to welcome residential faculty as Sikes set to close for renovations

About Catherine Blakemore

You are here: Home / News / ArtWalk takes New Orleans theme with ‘CajunFest’

Other News:

  • Engineering department adapts ride-in car for local boy

  • McCracken gets slice at dream role in ‘Sweeney Todd’

  • Wessel to welcome residential faculty as Sikes set to close for renovations

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
16 Feb

Black Student Union, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion have joined together to plan events that educate others and provide celebrations during Black History Month. Read more:
https://acuoptimist.com/2023/02/black-history-month-events-educate-celebrate-acu-community/

Reply on Twitter 1626340622872285184 Retweet on Twitter 1626340622872285184 Like on Twitter 1626340622872285184 2 Twitter 1626340622872285184
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
11 Feb

BREAKING: Robert D. “Bob” Hunter, vice president emeritus, passed away Saturday. Hunter served as a representative of the 71st district of Texas and worked part time with ACU until 2013.

Reply on Twitter 1624540404690436097 Retweet on Twitter 1624540404690436097 4 Like on Twitter 1624540404690436097 23 Twitter 1624540404690436097

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

1 day ago

The Optimist
Next for Optimist staff introductions is our photographer Sarah. "Hello! My name is Sarah Eunyoung Thompson and I’m originally from Ewa Beach, Hawaii. I am here as a sophomore majoring in graphic design. Some of my favorite hobbies include: art, ping pong, photography, singing, and thrifting." ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

4 days ago

The Optimist
Starting off our staff introductions is Optimist News Writer Brylie Leach."Hi! My name is Brylie Leach, and I'm a sophomore communication sciences and disorders major and journalism minor from Savoy, Texas. My favorite thing about ACU is the community and Christ-centered environment. I truly feel like I can grow in my faith, and I have made so many memories and relationships that I will cherish forever. I'm looking forward to being a part of The Optimist staff for a second year and having the privilege to tell the stories of others."---------------------------------------------------------------#acuoptimist #optimist #studentmedia #acu #abilenechristianuniversity ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Optimist Newscast Feb. 22, 2023

Our top stories this week include the passing of Dr. Bob Hunter, a new endowment ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 8, 2023
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 1, 2023
  • Optimist Newscast Jan. 25, 2023

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Podcasts

© 2023 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved