INTRODUCING LU WIXON

Festival International de Louisiane is proud to announce Lu Wixon has been selected as the Official Visual Artist for Festival 2023. As the chosen artist, Lu has created the Official Artwork to represent the festival this year.

Lu grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana where she earned a BFA from the University of Louisiana.  After graduation, she spent two years in Trinidad, West Indies, where the landscape and experiences became a lifelong inspiration. After moving to South Carolina with her family, she taught art to 600 elementary students weekly for 27 years in the Greenville County school district, while continuing to paint and exhibit.  Her art has been shown in both one-person and group shows in Louisiana, the Carolinas, and Germany.  

Wixon has been attending Festival International for 35 years, creating memories that she has built her life around. Lu spent her honeymoon at Festival, she later brought her babies to enjoy the music, and her family continues to celebrate the annual event decades later. But this year will be the first year that Wixon celebrates as Festival International’s Official Visual Artist. 

“As a visual artist, the colors and vibrancy of Festival have been inspirational and are represented in many of my paintings.” said Lu. “The elaborate outfits, the dynamic movements, and the unique instruments of the performers are a constant source of visual ideas. Being chosen as this year’s Festival artist is truly a dream come true for me. There is no greater professional honor than to be a representative of this magical Festival which has shaped my life and work.”

The Festival team is very excited to see what Lu comes up with for the 37th annual event. The artwork will set the tone for the festival’s poster, apparel and overall feel for the year. 

“We have seen Lu Wixon’s paintings over the years and have always been fans.” Festival Officials shared. “This is a great opportunity to showcase an artist that LOVES, understands and appreciates Festival International’s uniqueness. Stay tuned for the art reveal in February.”

A partial documentation of Lu Wixon’s prolific body of work can be seen at www.LuWixon.com.

THE FINAL PIECE: FACES OF FESTIVAL

Lu’s final piece below, as seen in the poster design for Festival 2023!