Creation of mural underway in Abbeville

The Abbeville Film and Visitor’s Commission in cooperation with the City of Abbeville has commissioned a mural by world renowned Lafayette muralist Robert Dafford.
The mural is located on the west side of Abbeville City Hall in downtown.
Work on the mural began recently after the completion of a renovation project at City Hall.
The mural will depict the musical heritage of Abbeville as well as popular local seafood, both of which continue to be major draws for tourism. An oyster can currently be seen on the mural with work on an accordion about to be painted on city hall.
Dafford has painted more than 300 murals across the United States and Canada as well as in France, Belgium and England, all with the purpose of fostering downtown development in small communities like Abbeville, Rayne and Eunice.
The mural now taking shape on the upper exterior wall of city hall can be seen from Concord Street, Magdalen Square and beyond. The mural will be a long-lasting attraction for tourists and local residents to enjoy for many years to come. The mural will have a life expectancy of at least 25 years.
Among Dafford’s best- known images are the giant clarinet in downtown New Orleans and his depictions of the History of the Acadians. During the last 15 years he has painted more than 200 large historical images on the floodwalls of several American cities. Along the Ohio River, riverboat tours make special stops just to allow visitors to view Dafford’s murals. Many of his murals are now famous throughout Acadiana. Dafford paints using trompe l’oeil, advanced perspective and realist techniques.
The mural will be completed in the near future. The film and visitor’s commission and the city will host a dedication of the mural following its completion.
This is not the first project the commission has taken up in the city. Other cooperative endeavors between the commission and the city include the restoration of the gazebo in Magdalen Square. The commission has also provided WiFi in Magdalen Square enabling tourists to access on-line information about Abbeville while visiting the city.