Three Artists Bring Flair to Festival International’s Signature 40th Anniversary Art

 Artist Burton Durand redesigned the 2026 flag for Festival International de Louisiana. Photo used with permission from Festival International. 

Burton Durand had a knack for art as a kid, but he never really thought about the future or his career. He just knew he wanted to do something with his passion.  He wondered: “What kind of cool stuff can I make?”

That question led him to a successful career as a graphic designer and artist. And this year, he was one of three artists selected to design signature pieces for Festival de Louisiane’s 40^th anniversary. Durand redesigned the festival’s flag.  Artists Francis Pavy and his daughter, Annabelle Pavy, were chosen to design this year’s poster and pin.

Festival International opened on Wednesday in Lafayette and runs through Sunday. It is known for putting significant thought into its art and merchandise. For the past three years, the festival has redesigned or made an alternative version of its iconic flag, along with other exclusive merchandise for that year.

So, it came as no surprise that for the 40th anniversary, festival leaders wanted something special. And what better person than Durand, who already had a relationship with the festival after redesigning its flag in 2024?

“It is a really cool feeling to just be a part of this,” he said. “Any project that kind of helps the community or shows a bit of local community pride is a great thing to be a part of.”

As a junior designer at BBR Creative in Lafayette, Durand had designed posters, pins and collateral signage in previous years for Festival International. Years later, thanks to keeping his connections, Durand said he was able to put his talent to work again for the festival.

“I went freelance, and I kind of was able to work with them again, just in a freelance capacity, take the official artwork and make a poster, and you know, take the official artwork and make a pin.”

When it came to making the flag, Durand said festival organizers definitely wanted to push the anniversary, but he had to come up with ideas for how to do so. Durand said he drew some sketches, using staple iconography and symbols from the festival. This included the popular swirl and some hand-drawn music notes, and with that, Durand was able to make the 40th Anniversary Festival flag.

“I used a color palette that played off of the festival’s purple and blue, but kind of changed it up a bit,” Durand said. “And that's what we have for the flag. We were able to make a wide flag, a traditional 5x3, but we also made a little yard-size version, as well.”

Durand encourages artists to create work that makes them feel good.

“For the artist and even potential artist out there, do not be afraid to have a little fun and put work out there that makes you happy, because whatever people see what you put out, that’s what they’re gonna want from you,” he said. “That’s what they’re gonna want to hire you for.”

Durand said he has a connection to Francis Pavy and his daughter, Annabelle, who designed the official poster and pin.

“Cathi, Francis's wife, was actually one of my first creative directors, and she taught me one semester in college, as well,” Durand recalled. “So, I have a personal connection with them, real cool people.”

One of the themes of this year's festival is generational continuity, which melds with the selection of Francis and Annabelle, both lifelong residents of Louisiana. Each has worked individually with the festival but came together to create artwork for the special occasion.

“I had done a poster before in 1991, and so I've been going to the festival since the beginning,” Francis said.

Father-daughter duo Francis and Annabelle Pavy created the official Festival International de Louisiane poster. Photo used with permission of the Pavys.

Annabelle was still in college when she first connected professionally with the festival. “My first project with them was when I was a senior at LSU, and so I feel like, because of that, I’ve been able to pave the way to build a relationship with them,” she said.

Annabelle took the lead on the graphic design side of the poster and pin, while Francis created the official artwork and served as inspiration for the pin. Both said they have worked on artwork together, so working on the festival poster felt normal.

“I’ve been his apprentice pretty much, so we're well seasoned at working with each other,” said Annabelle.

Francis worked on the painting first, looking to tie it back to the original poster he did back in 1991, but nothing was working. It all came together when he decided to look through some old files and found inspiration.

“I was going through my files and stuff and just thinking the crowds and community that come to the festival, so I had some painting I had done with a crowd motif, and so I thought it could be a good inspiration and good starting point,” Francis said.

For Annabelle, her main goal was to preserve her father's artwork and make sure it was readable to the viewer.

“So, I had to make a typographic approach that worked with his artwork and was kind of integrated into that,” she said.

As far as the pin, Anabelle kept the same focus by keeping noticeable motifs from Francis's work, while simplifying them and making them noticeable to the viewer, especially in such a small design.

“Two of the prominent people in the design, there's a dancer kind of to the left, and it's a male dancer, and his hands, his extended arm over his head kind of makes a four, and this other little woman dancer that's off to the right at the bottom, her hands make a zero,” Francis explained. “It’s kind of like a hidden little Easter egg for the 40th anniversary.”

Anabelle added: “I knew those things were important to him, so making sure to bring those in as well.”

Seeing his daughter carry his torch and work in the creative field while also pursuing her own endeavors means a lot to Francis.

“Oh, it’s great. I mean, I think she's extremely talented,” the proud father said. “I mean, she got it from Cathi, my wife, and myself. There's things that she can do that we can't do, you know?”

Artist Annabelle Pavy created the official Festival International de Louisiane pin. Photo used with the permission of the Pavys.

Anabelle agreed that it seemed destined for her to be an artist.

“It feels like working in the creative sphere is just kind of in my blood, and I think I would be neglecting that side of myself if I was not working as a designer,” she said. “It’s really nice to come from creative parents.”

Having the opportunity to design the poster for Festival international de Louisiane is no small feat, and Francis and Annabelle said they take pride in the work done.

“I'm really just happy to kind of be a participant in any way,” Annabelle said. “I'm only 24, and I really didn't expect to be doing design work for Festival International at such a young age.”

Francis said the years have made the festival no less fun. “Well, it’s pretty amazing,” he said. “I remember being there from the inception.”

In the future, Francis and Annabelle plan to continue to work together on Shop Pavy, selling home goods and wearable items derived from his artwork.  He said he plans just to continue being, painting and making art, while Annabelle expects to continue working at a graphic design agency with her mother, Cathi.