The 2020
Mardi Gras Posters
2020 SWLA Poster
For the Southwest Louisiana
poster, Alexander tied history,
tradition and South Louisiana
together in a timeless piece of art
that represents our wholesome
Mardi Gras traditions.
Th e focal point of the design is
a woman enjoying a cold lager, signifying
the laissez les bon temps
rouler attitude of our area. On her
mask is the Crying Eagle Brewery
logo. Th e signifi cance of that name
Candice Alexander
dates back to the Atakapa tribe, who were living in this area when the
settlers arrived. Th e tribal chief was Crying Eagle, and in his native
language, the name sounded like “Calcasieu.” Th e woman is resting
near the pistols on the walkway of the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Th e
pistols represent Pirate Jean Lafi tte.
Th e poster shines a light on the future economic revitalization of the
area, and the history that brought us here.
2020 Washington DC Poster
Candice Alexander is known for portraying Louisiana’s rich history
and culture in her artwork. By designing the Mystick Krewe of Louisiana’s
Washington DC Mardi Gras poster, Alexander mixes mediums and threedimensional
elements to bring the history of the land to life. Th roughout
the design, there is double symbolism pointing to both the legend of Jean
Lafitte and the history of the Acadians through the story of Evangeline.
Th e background and outer layer of the design represents the US
Constitution, symbolizing patriotic history. Th e focal point of this
piece is an enigmatic woman, symbolically representing two women’s
tales. Th e fi rst is Catherine LeBleu, wife of political exile Charles Sallier.
Her alleged love affair with the most infamous pirate and privateer
in the area, Jean Lafitte, caused a jealous rage in her husband. Legend
has it that Charles fired a shot at his wife, which supposedly ricocheted
off her amethyst brooch, similar to the brooch on the chest of the
woman in the poster.
Th e woman could also be Evangeline, the main character in Henry
Longfellow’s famous poem about a woman desperate to find her
beloved, Gabriel, aft er the British deported the Acadians to Louisiana
during the mid 1700s. Her Mardi Gras mask is shaped from the Louisiana
State symbol, the fl eur de lis.
Th e cabin on the bank represents the oldest home in Southwest
Louisiana, the Sallier estate. Th e ship could be associated with the sad
voyage of the Acadians, as well as the piracy of Jean Lafi tte. Alexander’s
handmade replicas of the Louisiana State Capitol door knobs are embedded
in the frame, which is made of Louisiana cypress. Embedded
in the frame are words from the poem Evangeline.
Alexander’s hyper-creativity has produced a piece of art that portrays
legends of Louisiana love stories, infamous personalities, foundational
patriotism all while drawing from the tradition of the greatest
celebration the state has ever known, Mardi Gras.
04 • MARDI GRAS SOUTHWEST • FEBRUARY 24, 2020