Acadian Brown Cotton: The Fabric of Acadiana

Coton jaune, or Acadian brown cotton, is one of the idiosyncratic regional heirlooms the Nova Scotian exiles inherited when they chose South Louisiana as their home. An important facet of the region's agricultural, economic, and anthropological history, brown cotton's relics are today being reconsidered as revered cultural totems, and in some cases works of art. 

A landmark exhibition synthesizing the crop's influences from soil to craft to textiles, the Hilliard's Acadian Brown Cotton: The Fabric of Acadiana is the most comprehensive project on the subject to date. Visitors will explore the genealogical value of passing craft from mother to daughter, they will learn about the process of weaving and the economic conditions of the region that spurred a revitalization of brown cotton weaving over the last century. Social documentary photographer Leah Greaff's photographs offer a perspective on woven works in terms of artistic intention, symbolism, art as commodity, and distinctions between decorative and fine art. And finally, work by local weavers including Elaine Larcade Bourque, Austin Clark, Ben Koch, Lena Kolb, LaChaun Moore, and Francis Pavy will be displayed in an illustration of how craft traditions have gained symbolic relevance in twenty-first century. 

The exhibition will be displayed from September 11, 2020–June 30, 2021.

For the first time, The Hilliard has made this exhibition available virtually. Take a comprehensive tour of the virtual gallery space or learn with The Hilliard's educators at hilliardmuseum.org.