Art is at the Core: The Cajun Connection
This is Cajun Connection by Kim Zabbia. She is an artist and art teacher in Ponchatoula, LA. You can see this work at the Atchafalaya State Welcome Center (1908 Atchafalaya River Hwy., Breaux Bridge, LA). I have written about Atchafalaya before and have always recommended it as a great place to visit. I hope to go there again one day because my two-year-old loved it!
More About Kim Zabbia
Kim Zabbia is also the director at The Art Station, an art school for adults that is located in Ponchatoula.
This work depicts the state's reptile, the alligator. It also depicts an Evangeline Oak in the center which is common in the area. The plane flying overhead symbolizes the 82nd Airborne, which was comprised of Cajuns during WWII. This work is part of the Louisiana Quilt Trail. Here is what the Quilt Trail website says about the project:
The Louisiana Quilt Trail: Established 2011The brainchild of Ponchatoula native and resident Ann Boudreaux, the Louisiana Northshore Quilt Trail Association hatched into existence in early 2011. Four women joined Ann to nurture the nonprofit in the hopes of founding the first Quilt Trail in the state of Louisiana.
It was a challenge at first as every creative endeavor runs into its share of skeptics. As artists, quilters, and DIY homemakers rapidly painted quilt blocks in garages and on dining room tables in the quiet of the night, the Directors of the LNQT Board traveled the five parish region to spread the word about the advantages of supporting Ms. Ann's baby. They knew that if they could just offer free presentations with tons of visuals, everyone would jump on board and paint their own quilt block on their business or home.
With the words still ringing in their ears, "Great idea, but what is it?", the Board knew they needed more help. They invited four more women to join them on the Board to help them carry on in the quest to convince each passerby, each person whose grocery buggy collided into theirs, each casual stranger in the elevator...that Louisiana's first Quilt Trail would not only enrich the love of quilting in our region but, as a tourist draw, it could possibly be an answer to the waning economy of the state.
Ideas for Using This Art in the Classroom
Looking at this art, I have come up with a few ideas about how to use this work of art in our classrooms. For starters, I think it would be a good way to talk about intersecting and parallel lines. Symmetry is another math skill that applies and this art piece can help students see it in action.
There are some science connections as well: swamps, river basins, vegetation, reptiles, etc. Students can get really creative with painting or using different supplies to create some of these landforms. Also, there are historical connections: WWII!
The colors are also very interesting. Students can discuss the choices for this color scheme. Guide them in talking about whether they think it was the best choice or what they would've used. Students could design and create a quilt square to represent a geographical region of their state. Quilting is a big part of many cultures. Use that as an access point for talking about other cultures.
These are just a few ideas that came to mind when brainstorming ways I could incorporate this into my classroom. What are some things you’d do? Let me know in the comments below!
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