Local Artists

New Iberia is an inspiring place to live and work. Nowhere is this fact more evident than in the creations of Melissa Bonin, Lyndel Renoudet, Mary Schexnayder, Paul Schexnayder , Norva Mestayer, Gwen Voorhies and Chestee Harrington. These artists draw on their experiences along Bayou Teche to create works that reflect our cultural heritage and sense of place.

Melissa Bonin, BFA, BA
Bonin’s evocative landscapes and portraiture have been featured in Southern Accents magazine. Having studied in both the United States and abroad, Bonin draws on those experiences to produce work in oil and pastels that can be seen at her local studio at 206 Philip Street, Bouligny Plaza, as well as at Mario Villa Gallery in New Orleans. For more information, please call the artist at (337) 369-6759 or on-line at www.melissabonin.com.

Lyndel Renoudet
Renoudet has a large selection of contemporary pottery bowls, vases and crosses in both bold and earthy glazes. She also produces a garden series in which she presses caladium, begonias and ferns into thrown and handbuilt clay pieces. Each piece represents a small piece of Acadian for tourists and locals alike. Lyndels Pottery can be found at Wormsers Specialty Market, booth #2, 112 East Main St. For more information, please call (337) 359-9112.

Mary Schexnayder
Schexnayder creates whimsical chickens, alligators, stick birds and other swamp creatures, as well as hand made furniture and accessories, which can all be found at her place on 610 E. Main Street. For more information, please call the artist at (337) 364-0932.

Paul Schexnayder
The Boston Globe finds Schexnayder’s work to be "an exciting patchwork of color," while Southern Living magazine says his creations are "vibrant, vivacious paintings of Bayou State life." You can find his narrative paintings, calendars, limited edition prints, crosses, note cards and magnets at 664 E. Main Street, or on-line at www.schex.com. For more information, please call the artist at (337) 365-5082.

Norva Mestayer
Norva's artwork has been displayed at several shows hosted by Shreveport's Barnwell Art Center, and her creativity is appreciated in the fine arts and commercial fields. Subjects include varieties of botanicals, still life, landscapes of floral and foreign attractions. 11 Bridge Street. For more information, please contact the artist at 367-2277, or on-line at www.artbynorva.com.

Gwen Voorhies
I feel compelled to do what I do. It is something that I cannot control. When I see a beautiful sky or a graceful oak tree arching from the strain and weight of it's branches I have this overwhelming desire to capture the image forever in paint, pastel or conte. I have studied many different mediums and work in a variety to capture the images that I see. Most of my work is considered representational. This is a classical style that withstands the test of time. I often work in oils"alla prima" which means I paint wet on wet in one sitting. I have to capture the image I am attempting to portray quickly. I prefer this method because the paintings are alive with passion.Portraits hold a special fascination for me because we can take a photograph of ourselves which is an exact image of us and still we claim it doesn't "look like us" This is because there is more to it than just capturing the image of the person, you have to capture the personality of the person and in a manner that is aesthetically pleasing as well. A beautiful painting will withstand the test of time. A good likeness in a poor painting eventually ends up in the attic! Some of the work shown here is taken from photographs, clients, friends or family provided. The majority are from photographs that I have taken. Although I like the idea of Plein Aire painting and painting from life I prefer the convenience of workng in my studio. The south Louisiana heat and proliferance of the insect population here may have something to do with my preferances! I hope you enjoy my work as much as I have enjoyed creating them! For more information, please contact the artist at 577-6303, or on-line at www.gwenvoorhies.com.

Chestee Harrington
From the deep bayou country come images in wood, canvas, sculpture and print. Chestee Harrington grew up on Rose Hill, along the Old Spanish Trail, where her family home was situated along the route used for centuries to drive cattle cross country, and is now located near the site where Spanish colonists founded New Iberia.
Chestee draws upon her early memories and family traditions to create vignettes of Acadian life—a culture rich in spirit and joie de vivre.
Her signature medium, polychromatic bas reliefs—carved and painted works in wood—have been shown across the United States and abroad and are particularly cherished by collectors. For more information, please call the artist at (337) 560-4393, or on-line at www.chestee.com.