The
George Rodrigue Museum at the Acadian Village in Lafayette, spotlights
eighteen paintings from the artist's “Saga of the Acadians”, which traces the history of the
Cajun people from their lives in Nova Scotia to their eventual settlement
in south Louisiana. The paintings
were commissioned by Lafayette residents Gerald and Betty Defez and were
completed between 1989 and 1993. In 1998, Mr. and Mrs. Defez donated
the collection to the Acadian Village.
Gerald Domingue, director of
Acadian Village, secured funds from the state of Louisiana and spearheaded
the Rodrigue museum project. Mr.
Rodrigue cut the ribbon to open the museum’s doors in August 1999. A revolving
exhibit of Blue Dog paintings from Rodrigue's personal collection is also
on display.