“The Evangeline Oak” – Pen and Ink by Candice Alexander 2025

The Evangeline Oak, located in St. Martinville, Louisiana, stands as a powerful symbol of the Acadian exile of 1755. According to legend and Longfellow’s epic poem, this is where Evangeline waited for her lost love—an image of hope, grief, and enduring faith. Though fictional, her story reflects the true suffering of over 11,000 Acadians who were uprooted and scattered across the colonies.

This tree, with its unruly limbs and ancient form, defies symmetry and expectation—much like the people it represents. Drawn in archival ink on 300 lb cotton paper, this piece is part of a series honoring Louisiana’s living landmarks. This piece is dedicated to the history it holds—and to artists like Floyd Sonnier, who first inspired the artist to draw heritage stories by hand.