The oldest city in Louisiana is home to the world's largest beaded piece of art. On Wednesday, December 4, 2013, Amanda Monehan, with Guinness World Records, will adjudicate “Une Rue Principale en Louisiane" as the "largest mural made of beads". The unveiling ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. at Orville Hanchey Gallery in Natchitoches, Louisiana. The public is invited.

“Une Rue Principale en Louisiane" (A Main Street of Louisiana),” is a panoramic view of Natchitoches' Cane River Lake and historic Front Street. The mosaic incorporates Natchitoches' European flavor through the city’s history, architecture, and heritage.

Wanger's beaded mosaic of Natchitoches is 8 feet in height by 48 feet wide. It is a mural sketched and painted on plywood, then covered with recycled Mardi Gras beads. Artist Stephan Wanger and volunteers sorted, cut and glued more than two-million Mardi Gras beads to complete the piece.

"Une Rue Principale en Louisiane" showcases 300 years of history in Natchitoches Parish and celebrates Natchitoches' Tri-Centennial. Natchitoches, Louisiana will commemorate its 300th anniversary beginning January 2014, making it the oldest permanent settlement in the entire Louisiana Purchase, established in 1714.

Wanger is a German-born artist who moved to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and began using discarded Mardi Gras beads to create iconic images of Louisiana.

Sint Lucas of Eindhoven, Netherlands, is the current record holder for building the world's largest beaded mosaic. His piece is measured to be 18 feet wide by 10 feet high. It was registered by Guinness World Records on January 25, 2013.

The Natchitoches Legacy Art Project is managed by the Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc (CRNHA), Northwestern State University, City of Natchitoches and Galeria Alegria.

Wanger has been traveling the state of Louisiana showcasing his beaded murals. Bead Town will be traveling to Indiana and Chicago next year. You can find more of his work at www.GaleriaAlegria.com.