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Opelousas, Louisiana
$130.00
Title
Acadiana Schoolroom In 1927
Artist
Seaux-N-Seau Soileau
Medium
Painting - Acrylic On Canvas
Description
Children in Acadiana were not allowed to speak French in school. My mother knew no English when she entered school. She was often punished. My father was bi-lingual. He sometimes got in trouble for speaking French but he often got in trouble for other things.
One Monday Dad brought a whole box full of flying squirrels and a baby raccoon that he had trapped over the weekend. He would sell the critters to the other students. He tripped as he was walking into the schoolroom. The teacher was very upset as the box the animals were in flew open and there were animals everywhere. The teacher told my father one of his parents would have to go to school the next day to straighten things out. His mother couldn't go because she had a new baby. His father couldn't go because he owned the only store in town. His parents decided to send his older brother. His older brother smooth things over very well. He and the teacher were married a few months later. That is how my daddy's teacher became his sister in law. Daddy always told me, "It is ok to bring critters to school. Sometimes you get money for the critters. Sometimes that will make additions to your family!
The discrepancy between the date in title and chalkboard is to emphasize the long time that the Cajun and Creole students were punished for speaking French. My friends and I were punished too. The dates punishments spanned over a half century but these dates correlate more with my parents years in school. Students who have a strong Cajun French accent today are often sent to speech therapy.
Featured in the following Fine Art America Groups:
Images That Excite You
10 Plus
Music CD Cover Designs
Group Administrator selected
"Photo Of The Day"
Created By Southern Artists
Uploaded
January 18th, 2016
Statistics
Viewed 7,455 Times - Last Visitor from Fairfield, CT on 04/25/2024 at 2:31 AM
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Sales Sheet
KJ Blake 3 Days Ago
Port Alberni, BC - Canada
I loved the history lesson along with the painting. Please write an illustrated book!
New Baltimore, MI - United States
Seaux-N-Seau, an absolute beautiful painting "Acadiana Schoolroom In 1927"! Congrats on multiple Features - Created by Southern Artist, 10 Plus and Images That Excite!! L/F
NIcholasville, KY - United States
Congratulations, your work is featured on the homepage of "Created by Southern Artists
Bracebridge, ON - Canada
What a wonderful way of recording family history!
Seaux-N-Seau Soileau replied:
Thank you, Andrew!! I have had lots of fun retelling my family's stories!!
Charlottesville, VA - United States
Wonderful drawing and great description! I remember hearing about this sort of thing from my father as well!
Seaux-N-Seau Soileau replied:
Thank you, Arlane!! My dad was raised along Bayou Pon-Pon and there are still lots of unusual critters to see there!!
Williamsburg, VA - United States
Charming painting of this schoolroom and interesting background story!
Fishers, IN - United States
Great historical rendition. I can see this happening back then.
Seaux-N-Seau Soileau replied:
Thank you Steve!!! It is so sad that the Cajun and Creole French was stifled back then. So thankful that it is making a comeback with French Immersion Programs in local schools. This truly happened to my Dad. My aunt would laugh until she would cry every time she told the story. It was a family favorite and I wanted to preserve the story for my children and grandchildren.
Murphy, NC - United States
What a great painting, with a fine story and wonderful mood! We added our Like. Celebrate life, Debra and Dave
Niceville, Fl - United States
That's such an amazing (and sad in many ways) story you told that generated this painting. It's a wonderful creation and tells the story beautifully. l/f/t/g+
Seaux-N-Seau Soileau replied:
Thank you!! Yes, it is sad in that our culture was stifled. I wanted to blend both the sad and the funny so that it would attract a larger audience. The French in Acadiana have a unique "Joy of Life." I wanted that joy to be portrayed. Lafayette, Louisiana is in the center of Acadiana and has been recognized as "America's Happiest City"
Coeur D Alene, ID - United States
Love this delightful painting, and your unique style, Seaux-N-Seaux! L/F
New Orleans, LA - United States
Greetings Seaux N Seau Soileau, your extraordinary painting Acrylic on Canvas composition titled "Acadiana Schoolroom In 1927" has been featured on the group home page Music CD Cover Designs, this masterful painting has been also group administrator selected as a "Photo of The Day", Cheers from "The City That Care Forgot New Orleans" Group Administrator, Michael Hoard
Dixon, IL - United States
What a GREAT painting! I LOVE the subject matter(s) REALLY wonderful!!!!! :-) l/f
Opelousas, Lo - United States
Thank you so much John Bailey!! It is exciting to be featured in the group Images That Excite You!!!
Titusville, FL - United States
Congratulations on being featured in the Fine Art America Group "Images That Excite You!"
Bucharest - Romania
The painting and the description are in perfect sync! I just love it! It has so much to say.... I already pinned it on my folk art gallery on Pinterest! It's really good! Keep up the good work! https://ro.pinterest.com/pin/479211216581121263/
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