Acadian Brown Cotton: The Fabric of Acadiana

Extended Exhibition Dates: September 11, 2020 – June 30, 2021

The Hilliard University Art Museum is pleased to announce the exhibition Acadian Brown

Cotton: The Fabric of Acadiana. This exhibition explores and analyzes the history of handwoven

brown cotton textiles. Using genealogy, historic maps, photographs, audio and video components,

furniture, tools, and brown cotton textiles, Acadian Brown Cotton demonstrates the historical

significance and cultural impact of the Acadian brown cotton tradition. It will also seek to educate

regional audiences about an aspect of their culture they may be unaware of, casting new light on the

“itchy, brown blankets” in people’s attics by demonstrating their artistry and value, as well as the

tradition’s continued vitality and relevancy.

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Drawing from the expertise of several highly respected cultural authorities, this exhibition delves into

the high value Acadian culture places on self-sufficiency and how this impacted the development of the

Acadian brown cotton tradition. The exhibition highlights the process by which Acadian brown cotton

textiles were created and the domestic context in which they were used by including a full suite of

weaving tools alongside an installation of mid-19th century Acadian furniture, all handmade by the

Acadians using native materials

For Information visit https://thefabricofacadiana.org/

Virtual exhibit and educational videos visit   https://thefabricofacadiana.org/watch/

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Building Community with Field to Fashion 

A gathering of old and new friends carding, spinning and weaving beneath live oaks and the aroma of seafood gumbo paired with Kaplan potato salad. 

The circle is unbroken as the the Acadian tradition continues.

Acadian Brown Cotton homespun textiles donated to Lafayette Science Museum

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The Acadian Brown Cotton Project strives to document, preserve and promote Louisiana’s unique heirloom cotton. Through the generous contribution of the Jacky Vidrine Estate in Ville Platte, Evangeline Parish, nine Acadian Brown Cotton homespun textiles were donated to the Lafayette Science Museum. Through the expert coordination of Judy McBane, Village Appraisals, Suzanne Breaux and Elaine Bourque, Field to Fashion in Acadiana team members, six blankets, one sheet, a baby blanket and a clerical stole are now resting comfortably in the Museum’s temperature and humidity controlled environment. All are wonderful additions to the 
Museum’s well-documented collection of early Acadiana textiles and weaving tools. Long time supporters of our project, the LSM hosted the Acadian Brown Cotton Round Table and screened a preview of our documentary, “Coton jaune - Acadian Brown Cotton - A Cajun Love Story”. Museum Director, Kevin Krantz and Collections Curator Deborah Clifton welcomed the donation last week. Elaine fully documented the textiles with photographs, detailed descriptions and measurements. Family genealogy is an important part of Elaine’s on going research and the Vidrine family history revealed interesting early connections.

Jacqueline Olivier Vidrine - 1929-2018

Jacqueline Olivier Vidrine, nee Jacqueline Elma Olivier dit “Jacky” to her friends, was the widow of Drouet W. Vidrine (Sr.), and a noted historian and genealogist. She was elected president of the Louisiana State Historical Association, and a founding member of the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL). She was also appointed by the Governor as a member of the State of Louisiana’s Commission on Historical Records and Cultural Resources.

Ms. Vidrine was truly a treasure and we are pleased to have taken part in the 
preservation of her historic legacy.

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