Cory St. Ewart is a Lafayette-based visual artist, filmmaker, and activist who uses his art to promote Black representation in Acadiana and explore concepts racial representation and personal identity in both physical and digital forms. St. Ewart is the founder of AcadianaBlack and the designer of the Acadiana Black Pride Flag. He has made multiple festival accepted short films. He is currently in post production on his next short film “The Negro & The Cheese Knife” and has a exhibition at Bottle Art Lofts.

Who makes up your art circle?

My art is circle is every inch of land and every person in Downtown Lafayette. I live there, eat there, create there, and most importantly love there. It’s my community, my home, and my place of belonging. I’m inspired and motivated by the amazingly creative people around me everyday. 

How do you expand your art circle?

I expand my artist circle by staying up to the know and attending most of the events in Downtown Lafayette. I think this place is one of the friendliest places in the country. I find really easy to connect with people. There’s an eagerness to be creative here. Locals appreciate the genuine qualities of life; and there’s not much that can beat a chance to really connect with people.

What value do you see in having a creative community?

To me, it’s everything. I see being an artist is akin to being a public servant. The public needs art just as much as the artist needs the public. I think it’s a beautiful relationship. 

How does your artistic approach contribute to your community?

So much of my art and creation is influenced by the environment around me. My work with AcadianaBlack has been extremely transformative on my views of how art can influence and be a symbol for a community. Art can be charity. Art can fighting. Art can be marching. Art can be so many things so long as it’s serving someone.