Now open

On a warm July 8 evening, artists and art lovers from around Acadiana gathered on Lafayette’s Jefferson Street for the monthly art walk that also brought the much-anticipated reopening of the new Sans Souci Fine Crafts Gallery. The return of the popular downtown gallery was six months in the making.

After being housed for 22 years in the quaint red 1840s cottage on East Vermilion Street, the gallery relocated to 551 Jefferson Street when the owner announced that the historical building would be closing to make structural and maintenance repairs. 

As the flagship gallery of Louisiana Crafts Guild, Sans Souci has introduced the works of new artists and helped to move the careers of others forward, with truly unique works that have showcased and promoted South Louisiana’s culture. 

Now the gallery has taken up residence in the former site of The Independent newspaper, a building that is just over four times larger than Sans Souci’s previous size. “We’ve gone from 980 square feet to 4,020,” says André Juneau board president of Louisiana Crafts Guild. “There is plenty of room to showcase the works of our over 200 members.”

The gallery is now able to broaden its collection of traditional and contemporary art that includes pottery, paintings, furniture, woodworking, turned wood, metal work, mixed media, stained glass, handmade clothing and jewelry. There’s room for larger pieces like cypress benches, tables, larger paintings and metal work, and more hanging space for photography, larger paintings and stained glass. Additionally, two rooms in the rear of the gallery will be rented as art studios on a monthly basis.

“There’s lots more of everything,” emphasizes Juneau, who is also a metal artist showcasing his work at the gallery. “It’s fantastic; it’s great to have a home again, and I’m so happy it’s better than it was before. I really love standing in front of the gallery and seeing the look on people’s faces — especially those who were skeptical of the change — as they light up in surprise.”

Colette Bernard, executive director of Louisiana Crafts Guild agrees, “It’s a breath of fresh air to be at this location — considering we’re the largest gallery on Jefferson Street. It’s so much more rewarding because of our involvement with the community. Being on Jefferson Street opens a whole new level of opportunity during art walks.”

Bernard, who is two months into her position, is an artist herself and a native of Lafayette who brings her education from Pratt Institute and art experience from other areas to her hometown. Among her administrative duties, she accepts member applications from across Louisiana and other states. As she explains the vetting process, “Members are approved by a jury. Most are from Louisiana, but can be from out of state, like those currently in Texas, California, Tennessee and Mississippi, as long as the artwork is relevant to Louisiana. We have standards to meet, but we’re pretty accepting. Since reopening, we’ve absolutely seen an increase in membership. More people who want their work on Jefferson Street are signing up now. We’re super excited to be in such a visible part of Lafayette.”

With the additional space, the gallery will also host workshops, classes and more themed exhibitions. Juneau plans to resume the gallery’s long-standing artist of the month show in September. Special events tied to the holidays will soon be in the works. As the largest known retail gallery in the state dedicated to crafts, Sans Souci is a great place to shop for truly one-of-a-kind gifts — especially at Christmastime.

Long active in the downtown community, the gallery produces the arts and crafts portion for Festival Acadiens as well as for Lafayette’s beer street festival, Gulf Brew, in October. 

Once named “One of the Top Places to Shop in the South” by Southern Living magazine, San Souci is sure, now, to bring even more recognition to the city, state and its artists.

Visit the gallery during its new hours of operation: Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m. You can’t miss the funky sign of the “carefree” lady in the red dress with flaming red hair — a piece of art itself.