Join Basin Arts for our annual LINEAGE fundraising event, a festive & immersive evening honoring the artists among us & inspiring the next generation in Lafayette, LA. This event is generously sponsored by Downtown Lafayette, Kean Miller, & the Acadian Superette!

On Wednesday, October 1st, we celebrate & honor the 2025 LINEAGE Award recipients, esteemed community artists Visual Artist, Francis Pavy & Dancer, Choreographer, & Educator, Grace Hamilton-Mayfield. And, we'll celebrate the culmination of our 2024 LINEAGE Residency with Visual Artist, Robert Dafford, and Dancer/Choreographer Cissy Whipp.

The LINEAGE award honors visual and performing artists who have contributed a lifetime’s worth of creativity to the Acadiana region and beyond, whose practice embodies the community values of Basin Arts, and those who have laid the foundation for future artistic generations.

Following the award presentation, the artists will participate in a year-long mentorship residency at Basin Arts, engaging with artists through workshops, critique nights, and other programs specific to the honoree’s practice. The residency culminates in Fall 2026 with an exhibition dedicated to their creative legacy.

LINEAGE / An Evening to Support Basin Arts

Honoring the artists among us / Inspiring the next generation

Wednesday, October 1st 6:00-10:00 P.M.

*NEW* Basin Arts Facility, 126 S. Buchanan St, Lafayette, LA 70501

$200 per person

Each ticket includes an exclusive first look at the ALL NEW Basin Arts facility, cocktail hour followed by a dinner presentation by the Acadian Superette, PLUS live music, AND many more artistic surprises!

LINEAGE will be the VERY FIRST event in our new space and will also mark the start of Basin Arts' 10th Year as an arts organization! We cannot wait to welcome guests into this next chapter by celebrating two of our community's most esteemed artists.

Proceeds from the night will directly support Basin Arts’ artist residency programs including ProjectSpace Residency, Basin Arts’ Dance Lab, the LINEAGE Mentorship Residency, and our ongoing Visual Artist-in-Residence studio program. By attending, guests will not only enjoy an unforgettable evening but also play a pivotal role in nurturing our region's vibrant artistic ecosystem for generations to come.

We hope you will join us for a night of elegant dining, surprising creativity, and intimate connections inspired by art to support more art making in our community!

Thank you to our generous sponsors Downtown Lafayette, Kean Miller, & Acadian Superette.

ABOUT THE LINEAGE AWARD RECIPIENTS

Francis Pavy

Francis X. Pavy (b. 1954) is a Louisiana-based visual artist known for his vibrant and evocative paintings that capture the spirit of Cajun culture. Born and raised in Lafayette, Pavy’s work is deeply influenced by the folklore, music, and traditions of South
Louisiana, blending elements of history, mysticism, and personal memory into striking, narrative-driven compositions.

Pavy studied fine art at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette), where he developed a unique visual language rooted in the region’s rich artistic heritage. His early career was shaped by his close connections with Louisiana’s thriving music scene, leading to artwork that pulses with the rhythm and energy of zydeco, blues, and Cajun music.

His signature style combines intricate line work, bold patterns, and luminous colors, often reminiscent of stained glass. Through layered imagery and recurring motifs—such as accordions, guitars, alligators, and mystical figures—Pavy creates dreamlike scenes that bridge the real and the surreal. His influences range from folk art and printmaking to contemporary abstraction, all woven together in a style that has been described as "narrative abstraction" or "contemporary South Louisiana iconography".

Pavy’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, and his paintings are featured in numerous private and public collections, including museums and institutions dedicated to Southern and contemporary American art. Over the decades, he has expanded his artistic practice to include printmaking, sculpture, and mixed media, further exploring the visual storytelling that defines his career.

A celebrated cultural figure in Louisiana, Pavy continues to create art that honors the soul of Cajun life while pushing the boundaries of contemporary Southern expression.

Grace Hamilton-Mayfield

Grace Hamilton-Mayfield is a visionary arts leader, educator, and advocate with over four decades of experience in shaping the cultural and educational landscape of Louisiana and beyond. A native of Opelousas, Grace graduated from Opelousas Catholic High School and earned her degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 1982. She's pursued additional certification in Dance Education at Western Kentucky University.

In 1981, she founded Hamilton Academy of the Arts (HAA) in North Lafayette, followed by the establishment of the Hamilton Academy Performance Company (HAPC) in 1988. Under her leadership, these institutions have become cornerstones of performing arts education in Acadiana, serving thousands of students through studio classes, outreach programs, and national tours.

Grace developed a comprehensive, standards-based dance curriculum in 2001, guiding students from Pre-K through 12th grade with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and artistic excellence. Since 1990, HAA’s educational outreach initiative has brought dance and performing arts into schools across multiple parishes. Her mentorship programs, Raising the Barre and the National Honor Society for Dance Arts, continue to uplift and empower the next generation of artists.

A passionate advocate for arts accessibility, Grace served 15 years as an Artist in the Classroom with the St. Landry Parish School Board, working with special needs students. She has held leadership roles such as President of the Louisiana Alliance for Dance and has been a grants panelist on local, state, and national levels. The Mayor of Lafayette appointed her as the city’s Dance Liaison and proclaimed June 9th as Hamilton Academy of the Arts Day in her honor.

Under her direction, HAPC has toured extensively throughout the U.S., performing at prestigious venues and events, including opening for Ailey II during Black History Month. The company has been selected twice by Disney Entertainment to perform A Taste of Louisiana Culture & Traditions, earning the title of honorary Disney Cast Members.

Grace has written, directed, and produced more than 30 major productions, championing the use of performing arts as a tool for multi-sensory and culturally rich education. Her students continue to perform on world class stages.

Her company has received numerous local, state, and national awards. She has been a featured speaker at conferences, appeared on major media outlets including CBS, ABC, and FOX affiliates, and produced events celebrating the role of dance in community life.

In 2022, Grace became the first woman and first woman of color to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette College of the Arts, where she now serves on the Advisory Board. She also serves on the Advisory Board for South Louisiana Community College (SLCC). Her business is proudly certified as a Minority-Owned Business by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Over the years, more than 4,000 students have trained under Grace’s guidance, and tens of thousands have experienced the transformative power of her work. She remains a passionate champion for arts and culture in Acadiana and the global dance community. She's married to a loving and supportive husband Brad Mayfield. two amazing children Jabari Aziz and Faith Mayfield. She's excitedly expecting her first granddaughter and currently working on a children's book for future generations of learners.

ABOUT BASIN ARTS

Basin Arts is Lafayette's "Container for Creativity" focused on supporting Louisiana artists towards a sustainable practice with the goal of increasing access to professional contemporary arts experiences and creating authentic relationships between artists and the greater community.

Our work is multifaceted but our mission is simple:
We support artists.
We support artistic creation.
We connect community to artists.
We connect artists to community.

Our programs include artist residencies, public art projects, our signature art rental program - BARE Walls, art exhibitions, critique night, movement classes for adults, unique performance events, and more!

Basin Arts is passionate about fostering creativity, collaboration, and community through artistic innovation within a supportive environment. We believe the arts are a powerful vehicle for improving overall quality of life, and we are committed to engaging the community through inclusive and diverse artistic programming.

Learn More: https://www.basinartslafayette.com/

LINEAGE / An Evening to Support Basin Arts

Join us to celebrate the 2025 LINEAGE Award Recipients, Francis Pavy and Grace Hamilton-Mayfield