Shrimp & Petroleum Festival poster unveiled

The official poster for the 2015 Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival was unveiled Sunday at the Festival office.
Commissioned South Louisiana artist Tony Bernard created the poster and did the official unveiling with the help of Hailee Ann Thomas, the 79th Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival queen. On hand for the reveal was the Festival officers and board of directors.
Bernard was born and reared in Lafayette, where he resides with his wife, Roxie, and children.
He recognizes his talent as a gift from God, according to the Festival’s news release. In 1993, he began his working relationship with world-renowned artist, the late George Rodrigue, who was not only his friend, but his mentor throughout his career.
Bernard has been commissioned to produce artwork for many festivals, including Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, Gueydan Duck Festival and the 2015 Mystik Krewe of Louisianians Washington, D.C., Mardi Gras Gala. He was also commissioned to create the official portraits of Gov. and Mrs. Bobby Jindal.
The first poster for the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival was created in 1981 by Jim Firmin to commemorate the 46th anniversary of the festival. This year will mark the 35th year of the poster and the 80th anniversary of the festival.
The Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival will take place Sept. 3-7 in downtown Morgan City with the Blessing of the Fleet on the riverfront in Berwick (due to dock work in Morgan City).
For more information or to purchase a 2015 Festival poster, contact the festival office at 985-385-0703.