NEWS RELEASES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17, 2009
Jerome Ford Selected as 2009 Spice & Music Festival Poster Artist
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(Opelousas, LA) - Jerome Ford is the local artist who created the Opelousas Spice & Music Festival’s 2009 official poster, which was unveiled during the Friday, May 15th Music & Market event in downtown Opelousas. The festival takes place June 5-7, 2009, in historic downtown Opelousas.
For the original artwork, which is titled ‘The Kitchen,” Ford used acrylic paint, paper, slate, and birch wood. An artist as well as a Talented Visual Arts Instructor for St. Landry Parish Schools, he describes his work as cultural impressionism.
Ford, who was born and raised in New Orleans' lower ninth ward, grew up surrounded by entrepreneurs of various trades. Growing up, he and his brothers and sisters learned that creativity and a strong, work ethic could go a long way. “We built everything from go-carts and bikes, to roller coasters,” says Ford.
Motivated by his mother, it was Jerome’s father, a carpenter and amateur sculptor, who became his first inspiration. “He carried a rolled up piece of canvas behind the seat of his truck,” explained Jerome. “He would roll it out and let me and my siblings draw on it.”
By the age of 12, art had become more than just a rolled up piece of canvas behind the seat of his dad's truck. Yet Ford says he was desperately seeking more. Finally, in high school, Jerome was introduced to visual artist and teacher Richard C. Thomas. Under Thomas' guidance, Ford began to lay the foundations of art discipline that helped him develop into the unique artist he is today.
In 2003, Ford received his BFA in painting and drawing with a minor in print making from Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge. His work has been accepted in many local and national juried exhibitions of which he has received many honors and awards. After college, he taught in the talented visual arts program with the New Orleans Public School System. After Hurricane Katrina, Ford and his wife moved to St. Landry Parish where he continues to teach and create works of art. His artwork can be viewed online at www.colorsofculture.net
This year’s poster is available for purchase at the Opelousas Tourist Center or online at www.opelousasspiceandmusicfestival.com Poster size is 14”x18, which can be conveniently matted to a 16”x 20” frame.
The festival would like to thank Bodemuller the Printer for their sponsorship support with the 2009 Opelousas Spice & Music Festival Poster.
The Spice & Music Festival will kick-off with an official ribbon cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 5, followed by a special blend of musical performances including Southern Soul (Swing Out) from Lil’ Fallay, Cajun- French from Lost Bayou Ramblers and Zydeco from Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band. Friday night will also feature a heated Zydeco dance contest. Families can also take advantage of $15 ‘all you can ride’ bracelets on Friday evening.
On Saturday, Historic Trolley Tours will be available from 11 – 2 p.m. where individuals will be able to explore significant landmarks and turn-of-the-century buildings within the downtown historic district. Meanwhile, the festival grounds will open at noon with a DJ, arts & crafts and carnival rides and Horace Trahan & the New Ossun Express taking the stage at 1:00 p.m. Following Trahan is Step Rideau, Hotline, Jeffery Broussard, Lil Nathan & the Zydeco Big Timers, J. Paul & Zydeco Nu Breed and Chris Ardoin & Nu Step. Other Saturday events include a Cajun/Creole cooking demonstration, a Fiddler Jam with Hadley Castille at 2:00 p.m. at the Old City Market located on the historical St. Landry Parish Courthouse Square. The Fiddle Jam will include guests such as Al Berard of the Basin Brothers, Mitch Reed of Beausoleil, John Buckaloo of the Noveau String Band and Terry Huval of Jambalaya Cajun Band. Meanwhile, the festival will also feature an accordion contest scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
On Sunday, Leon Chavis & the Zydeco Flames are scheduled to perform at 1:00 p.m. followed by Krossfyre, Patrick Henry, Cajun-Zydeco Grammy winner Terrance Simien and Chris Ardoin & Nu Step. In addition to great music, Sunday will feature a Cajun Dance Contest, Pepper Eating Contest and Queen’s Spice Cook-Off Contest, where individuals and teams will prepare red beans and rice for competition.
And of course, the Spice & Music Festival will offer Cajun and Creole food lovers plenty of mouthwatering dishes including entrees like crawfish and shrimp etoufee’, boudin, jambalaya, fried catfish and more.
This year’s Opelousas Spice & Music Festival sponsors include: Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino, CLECO, Hancock Bank, SLEMCO, Entergy, Louisiana Lottery, Quik Quarter, Opelousas General Health System, St. Landry Homestead, Centerpoint Energy, Office of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, St. Landry Parish Recycling, Bodemuller the Printer, St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission, Zydeco Online and Mix 107.1 and KSLO-KOGM.
