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Photograph by Bobby Ardoin.

BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer

A pair of roaring Tigers identically painted on facing murals seemingly threatens vehicles passing underneath the Judson Walsh interchange of Interstate 49.

The massive and eye-catching artwork stenciled onto the steeply angled open area of concrete is intended to beautify as well as advertise, says Buddy Helton, chairman of the Central St. Landry Economic And Development District.

Helton said the combined objective of the visual projects under the supervision of artist Jerome Ford, celebrates the educational opportunities available at Opelousas senior and junior high schools, while graphically enhancing a portion of the I-49 corridor.

Using revenues obtained from the economic district, Helton indicated on Wednesday that the two murals painted by Ford are the first of several I-49-centered projects planned by CSLEDD.

After climbing down from a Wednesday morning photo opportunity at the mural site with OHS students and economic district and city officials, Helton said lights are scheduled to be placed alongside the Interstate between Judson Walsh Drive and Guilbeau Road.

LED-lighting financed by federal and state revenues and economic district match revenues, will illuminate the I-49 approaches to Judson Walsh Drive as well as brighten another area of the Interstate, Helton added,

There are also plans to paint an equine-themed mural on the embankment wall that buttresses the ancient oak tree located at the junctions of U.S.190 and I-49, Helton said.

“With the mural on the embankment, we want to feature this area as the heart of the state equine industry. You will soon see the mural that has horses and other aspects of the industry,” Helton said.

Helton said the Tiger murals emphasize the St. Landry education system.

“We were hoping to inject some pride from the two schools (OHS and OJHS). The school system is an important part of this parish and (Opelousas High) is considered the flagship school that is just down the road (from the murals),” said Helton.

Bill Rodier, chairman of the St. Landry economic and industrial development district, said the mural designs were captured from one already being used at both schools.

Ford said the project consumed about 30 working days.

“The economic district showed me the design that was going to be used and I created a stencil off of that. It was sort of a new process and what made it interesting was that it was being placed on a slope and was quite larger,” Ford recalled.

Ford estimated that the surface covered by the mural is probably angled at 45 degrees.

Assistance from Opelousas High students came during Easter break, said Ford.