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Home/Bayou Region/Chauvin Sculpture Garden
Decorated lighthouse in sculpture garden with sunburst

Chauvin Sculpture Garden

You are likely to do a double-take if you drive south of the city of Houma on LA Highway 56 through the bayouside community of Chauvin. There, across the waterway, is a colorful lighthouse with cartoonish figures hanging off the side of it. You have discovered the amazing Chauvin Sculpture Garden.

tall lighthouse with art in Chauvin sculpture garden with sunburst
A 45-foot tall lighthouse at the Chauvin Sculpture Garden

You will need to cross Bayou Petit Caillou at the nearest bridge to access this unique collection of outdoor art. Be sure to stop and stroll through the sculpture garden. It is a one-of-a-kind experience.

chauvin sculpture garden featuRed on tv

See how the Chauvin Sculpture Garden is recovering from Hurricane Ida

artist disappears after creating amazing garden

The life-sized concrete and brick sculptures are the work of brick layer and self-taught artist Kenny Hill. During a ten year period, Hill created 100 of the unique, religious themed sculptures.

sculpture in garden portrays artist listening to seashell
Artist Kenny Hill uses his likeness in many of the garden creations

Throughout the garden are images of the artist, who places himself in many of the works of art. After creating the sculpture garden, Hill left the area without explanation.

statue of bearded man with yellow hair, blue clothes and bleeding heart
Image of artist with bleeding heart

The site was restored by the Kohler Foundation and is managed by Nicholls State University.  The site is now a public park and open to the public. 

view some of kenny hill’s garden sculptures

Learn more about the history of the chauvin sculpture garden

Learn the story behind the sculptures

getting there

The town of Chauvin (pronounced SHO-van) is a fishing community located south of the city of Houma in coastal Terrebonne Parish. The Chauvin Sculpture Garden is located at 5337 Bayouside Drive, Chauvin LA.

5337 Bayouside Dr, Chauvin, LA 70344

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        Written by:
        Dave McNamara
        Published on:
        January 2, 2024
        Thoughts:
        6 Comments

        Categories: Bayou Region, Featured

        Reader Interactions

        Comments

        1. T. Moreau

          May 23, 2021 at 2:53 pm

          Where is Kenny Hill now?? Did he pass away?? It’s sad that they city would evict him!! Probably for unpaid property tax!! 🤯🤬 We don’t own anything in this world!! Government does!! Thank you Kenny hill for you beautiful work!! So sorry your heart was empty, but I feel your pain!! Sad heartless world we live in now!!💔❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

          Reply
        2. Nancy Anabel Mason

          February 18, 2024 at 3:03 pm

          The Chauvin Sculpture Garden is phenomenal. The creator, Kenny Hill, was a Vietnam Veteran and some of the sculptures appear to reside for interpretation(s) in that regard. I bring a picnic and meditate, regularly.

          The prolific nature (created in +10 year span) of this unique and profound contribution to our Community is rare and unparalleled. His work is an engineering feat, in addition to being pure glorious, generous and from the HeArt.

          Last week, I met a couple from Belgium on tour of Louisiana and Ms. Maddison (exceptional Tour Guide), representing Nicholls State University (Center for Bayou Studies) role as campion of preservation and historical stories to back the philanthropic grace of the Kohler Family who precluded destruction of the garden by intervening.

          In few works “It’s a gem!” Well managed.

          THANK YOU to Mr. LaFleur Jr., PhD – Nicholl’s State University – Department of Biological Sciences

          Reply
        3. Dolores Sanders

          August 21, 2024 at 3:41 pm

          Me and a couple friends were there before the repair had started. We still enjoyed the visit but remember thinking I hope they do repair it. I wanted to see it in all it’s glory. So thank you for this, I will be seeing it soon. We did purchase the book hoping that it would help the restoration. Glad we did. Thanks.

          Reply
          • Dave McNamara

            August 21, 2024 at 5:12 pm

            It’s definitely worth seeing!

            Reply
        4. Jeanne M Morel

          August 21, 2024 at 4:14 pm

          I’m so excited to visit again soon. I was there after Hurricane Ida and I was so sad to see the devastation. It looks beautiful again!

          Reply
        5. Shamim Hossen

          September 2, 2024 at 9:26 pm

          Me and some of our friends visited there. The place has an aesthetic view and amazing art. We enjoyed it a lot. I am excited to visit there soon.

          Reply

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