Black Heritage Gallery
Tucked inside Lake Charles’s historic Central School Arts and Humanities Center, this gallery showcases the contributions African Americans have made to Southwest Louisiana’s history and culture through rotating art and cultural exhibits from local and national artists. The foundation that operates the gallery also hosts Lake Charles’s annual Black Heritage Festival.
Black Heritage Festival
This annual spring festival is a great time to visit Lake Charles. It features excellent food, family fun, and music, including gospel, zydeco, blues, and spoken word—plus dozens of vendors selling arts, crafts, clothing, and more.
Central School Arts and Humanities Center
The Central School Arts and Humanities Center was built in 1912 and sits at the heart of the Charpentier Historic District in Lake Charles. The school was restored in 1993, with classrooms renovated to serve as studios, galleries, and performance spaces. In addition to the Black Heritage Art Gallery, the center's tenants include visual artists, music teachers, the Children's Theatre Company, the Arts Council of Southwest Louisiana, the Lake Charles Symphony, and a Mardi Gras Museum. The school's historic auditorium was also updated to host plays, concerts, and a local film festival.
809 Kirby St., Suite 324
Lake Charles, LA 70601