Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center hosts crafts, photo exhibit

THIBODAUX — The Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve presents “Lulu’s Photo Eyes,” an exhibition of photography and domestic crafts by local artist Beverly Myles.
The exhibit runs now through Oct. 31 with a special meet-the-artist reception scheduled from 8 to 11 a.m. Oct. 18. Admission to the center, located at 314 Saint Mary St. in Thibodaux, and to the exhibition is free. For more information, call 985-448-1375 or visit www.nps.gov/jela.
Myles was born in New Orleans and raised in Labadieville. Early in her life, Myles developed an appreciation for her heritage and the handmade crafts created by her forebears such as the dresses made from flour, rice, and sugar sacks that are part of the exhibit. Myles’ career choices reflect these interests; she is an artist, a certified nursing assistant who cares for community elders, and, thanks to sewing lessons from her grandmother, also a seamstress.
Myles’ favorite form of artistic expression became photography when a neighbor in Chicago gave her a box camera. “Growing up I always loved taking pictures,” Myles said. “Now, I don’t go anywhere without my camera. I want to capture the beauty that is all around me because not many people get a chance to see it. The pictures I take speak to me; hopefully, they will speak to you too.”
The Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center is managed by the National Park Service as part of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. The center’s exhibits, programs, and events interpret the cultures who settled south Louisiana’s Mississippi River delta. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. The center is also open 8 to 11 a.m. on Farmers Market Saturdays; call the center for dates.
Regularly scheduled programs include the free Cajun music jam from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday and free Cercle Francophone (French roundtable) from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Ranger-guided boat tours of Bayou Lafourche to historic destinations are offered in the spring and fall. The center is closed on federal holidays and Mardi Gras. Admission to the center and for most programs is free. Group tours are available by reservation.