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UPCOMING EVENTS
Ancestral Artistry will be screened on July 2nd at 2:30 p.m. at the Oprah Winfrey Theatre at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture.
Reserve your free tickets here!
Ancestral Artistry is an award-winning feature-length film documentary produced by the Louisiana Architecture Foundation (LAF). It tells the story of the architectural legacy of early Africans and Creoles of Color in Louisiana and highlights their impact on the state’s distinctive architecture over 300 years. Through the stories of several past and present-day. Louisiana artisans and master craftsmen, Ancestral Artistry showcases traditional building trades like carpentry, masonry, and iron smithing, passed down through generations. The film also follows contemporary torchbearers of the trade as they preserve these fragile traditions and train new apprentices. Natchitoches and the Cane River community feature prominently in the film. References and background on the local community and culture include interviews with Nicol & FJ Delphin and Dustin Fuqua, Chief of Resource Management at Cane River Creole National Historical Park.
This screening is presented by the LAF and the Creole Heritage Center at Northwestern Statue University. Visit these links to learn more about the LAF and the Creole Heritage Center.
The Louisiana Architecture Foundation would also like to thank this film’s sponsors, supporters, and co-producers, including the American Institute of Architects (AIA) of Louisiana and the State of Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism/Office of Cultural Development/Division of Historic Preservation.
Purchase Tickets: http://bit.ly/3HMf3Mv
Evening Timeline:
5:45 p.m. Reception Before Screening. (Open Bar & Reception for Sponsors Only. Learn about event sponsorship opportunities here.
6:30 p.m. – Doors Open for General Admission
7 p.m. – Film Screening
8 p.m. Panel Discussion Following Film.
The Kimball Theatre -- a cornerstone of Colonial Williamsburg's performing arts community, film screenings, stage productions, and other activities -- will be the setting of a free public screening of Ancestral Artistry.
For more information, visit the website here.
9:30 AM - Doors open, with food, music & activities from the Louisiana Children's Museum
11:30 - 1:00 PM - Ancestral Artistry Film Screening. Includes exhibits & panel discussion.
Reach Center (map)
On Saturday, June 7th, a free, open-to-the-public screening and panel discussion of the LAF film, Ancestral Artistry, will take place at Plessy Day 2025, an annual community event hosted by the Plessy and Ferguson Initiative. This year's event will honor the skilled African American and Creole craftsmen who helped build the 7th Ward and shape New Orleans’ iconic architecture. In partnership with the New Orleans Master Crafts Guild, the event highlights the legacy of builders like Homer Plessy’s family and how their traditions continue today.
For more information, visit www.plessyandferguson.org
Tickets are now on sale for our award-winning documentary, Ancestral Artistry: The Influence of Africans & Creoles of Color on Louisiana Architecture, at the Broad Theater in New Orleans! Screenings run from April 25 through May 1. A portion of ticket sales will go to the LAF.
https://www.thebroadtheater.com/veezi_movies/ancestral-artistry/
The film will be shown on the following times and dates:
Friday 4/25: 11:30 AM & 1:00 PM
Saturday 4/25: 11:30 AM & 1:00 PM
Sunday 4/27: 4:10 PM
Monday 4/28: 11:30 AM
Wednesday 4/30: 2:30 PM, 4 PM & 6:40 PM
Thursday, 5/1: 5:45 PM
Ancestral Artistry is a 2024 feature-length film documentary produced by the Louisiana Architecture Foundation (LAF). It tells the story of the architectural legacy of early Africans and Creoles of Color in Louisiana and highlights their impact on the state's distinctive architecture over 300 years. Through the stories of several past and present-day Louisiana artisans and master craftsmen, Ancestral Artistry showcases traditional building trades like carpentry, masonry, and iron smithing, passed down through generations. The film also follows contemporary torchbearers of the trade as they preserve these fragile traditions and train new apprentices.
AIA CEUs - 1.5 HSW/LU - Available For This Event!
This screening is presented by the LAF and the Burdin Series in Louisiana Studies. The Louisiana Architecture Foundation would also like to thank this film's sponsors, supporters, and co-producers, including the American Institute of Architects (AIA) of Louisiana and the State of Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism/Office of Cultural Development/Division of Historic Preservation.
Special thanks to the University of Lafayette at Louisiana, CSI the Acadiana Chapter, and Designing Women of Acadiana for making this film screening possible as well as Friends of the Humanities for their support.
Watch the Trailer: https://vimeo.com/864474832
Learn More: https://www.louisianaarchitecture.org/ancestralartistryfilm
Purchase Tickets: https://bit.ly/41oLTKt
Evening Timeline:
5:15 p.m. Reception Before Screening. (Cash Bar/One Free Drink Ticket Per General
Admission Ticket. Only sponsors drink free.)
6:30 p.m. Film Screening
7:30 p.m. Panel Discussion Following Film.
Bayou Bijou
Room 130, 1st Floor, Student Union
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
620 McKinley Street
October 17: Ancestral Artistry Film Screening - Baton Rouge, LA
AIA CEUs - 1.5 HSW/LU - Available For This Event!
Thursday, October 17, 2024
The LAF’s latest film documentary, Ancestral Artistry” examines the rich architectural legacy that began with early Africans and Creoles of Color in Louisiana. Our focus is on the building trades that—over the past 300 years— produced the distinctive architectural forms that distinguish Louisiana’s built environments from other parts of the United States.
5:45 p.m. – Private Reception for Sponsors (Visit our Sponsor Page for event sponsorship opportunities!)
6:30 p.m. – General Admission – Doors Open
7:00 p.m. - Film screening
8:00 p.m. – Post-Film Panel Discussion, Featuring Film Cast and Crew.
This film screening is made possible by the Louisiana Architecture Foundation, Capitol Park Museum, and AIA Baton Rouge.
This film was made possible through the support of AIA Louisiana and the Louisiana Department of Cultural Development, along with many other sponsors.
Special thanks to Letterman's for its ongoing support to the LAF.
September 26: Ancestral Artistry Louisiana Film Premiere - Lake Charles, LA
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Historical Calcasieu Marine Bank
The LAF’s latest film documentary, Ancestral Artistry” examines the rich architectural legacy that began with early Africans and Creoles of Color in Louisiana. Our focus is on the building trades that—over the past 300 years— produced the distinctive architectural forms that distinguish Louisiana’s built environments from other parts of the United States.
5:45 p.m. – Private Reception for Sponsors (Visit our Sponsor Page for event sponsorship opportunities!)
6:30 p.m. – General Admission – Doors Open
7:00 p.m. - Film screening
8:00 p.m. – Post-Film Panel Discussion, Featuring Film Cast and Crew.
This film screening is made possible by the Louisiana Architecture Foundation, AIA Southwest Louisiana, AIA Louisiana, and Empire of the Seed.
The LAF, in collaboration with the Capitol Park Museum, is proud to present a special screening of the organization’s film, “Unexpected Modernism: The Wiener Brothers Story.”
Produced in 2019 by the Louisiana Architecture Foundation, the incredible documentary "Unexpected Modernism" tells the story of Jewish architects Samuel G. and William B. Wiener, considered by experts to be the most prolific and celebrated architects in Shreveport and Louisiana. Rational Middle Media oversaw the production and direction of the film.
The event is FREE! Eventbrite
The evening's schedule:
5:00 p.m. - Cocktail Hour and gallery tours
6:00 p.m. - Film screening of "Unexpected Modernism: The Wiener Brothers Story." Opening remarks by Stacey Pfingsten, executive director of the Louisiana Landmarks Society, and Mischa Farrell, AIA, board member of Louisiana Architecture Foundation.
7:00 p.m. - Preview of upcoming 2024 LAF Film “Ancestral Artistry.” Introduction by LAF board member Edward J. Cazayoux, FAIA.
About “Unexpected Modernism”
The film is the result of a long journey that began in late 2016 when former LAF executive director Stacey Pfingsten discovered a book, The Modernist Architecture of Samuel G. and William B. Wiener: Shreveport, Louisiana, 1920-1960, written by Karen Kingsley and Guy W. Carwile (LSU Press). Pfingsten and many other Louisianans had never heard of the Wiener Brothers and their incredible contributions to Louisiana and American architecture. To the LAF Board, Pfingsten suggested having the organization work with professional filmmakers to bring this story to the "big screen." The Board pledged their support and gave Pfingsten the green light to proceed with the project. The LAF hired Shreveport's Rational Middle Media to oversee the film's directing and production.
Nothing, however, would have ever happened without the tremendous support of the North Louisiana Jewish Federation, the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development, and other donors and supporters who helped the LAF make this idea a reality. Today, screenings of "Unexpected Modernism" enable the LAF to share the world of architecture - and the stories of unsung heroes like the Wiener Brothers -with millions of Louisianans.
#FilmScreening #LouisianaArchitecture #CapitolParkMuseum
The LAF, with the Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge, is proud to present a special screening event at the museum featuring "Designing Life: The Modernist Architecture of Albert C. Ledner." A virtual talk by John Klingman, Author and Professor Emeritus of Architecture at Tulane University, will follow the film.
Capitol Park Museum
660 N 4th St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
The event is FREE! Eventbrite
The evening’s events are as follows:
5:00 p.m. - Cocktail Hour and gallery tours
6:00 p.m. - Screening of "Designing Life" (47 minutes)
7:00 p.m. - Virtual talk by John Klingman, Author and Professor Emeritus of Architecture at Tulane University, on Zoom
About Ledner:
Albert C. Ledner (1924-2017) is known for his organic and modernist style of architecture. His work includes the design of Manhattan's National Maritime Union building, which was built in the 1960s. Ledner also designed approximately 40 homes in the New Orleans metropolitan area and various other projects for the National Maritime Union.
Ledner, a New York native who grew up in New Orleans, enrolled at the Tulane University School of Architecture. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II and later returned to Tulane to earn his architectural degree in 1948. Ledner also supplemented his architectural education with studies at Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin Spring Green School.
About the Film
In 2016, filmmaker Roy Beeson, in collaboration with Ledner's daughter Catherine Ledner, produced a documentary film about the life and works of Ledner, entitled "Designing for Life: The Modernist Architecture of Albert C. Ledner." Ledner attended a preview of the documentary held at the New York City Architecture and Design Film Festival in early November 2017. He also gave a formal presentation at the festival. During this journey, he became ill and died shortly after that, on November 14, 2017, at the age of 93.
The LAF presents the big-screen outdoor New Orleans debut of "Unexpected Modernism: The Wiener Brothers Story." The LAF produced the film, with Rational Middle Media.
From a safe, spacious setting "under the stars," at N.O.'s Broadside outdoor theater, attendees will learn the story of Shreveport, LA's Wiener brothers, two of America's earliest practitioners of Modernist design.
Broadside Outdoor Theater*
600 Broad Street New Orleans
504-218-1008
www.broadsidenola.com
Tickets $5
Purchase here:
Watch Film Trailer
*Spacious Outdoor Theater - Safe, Comfortable Seating - Full Bar & Refreshments
Presented and Sponsored by:
Louisiana Architecture Foundation
North Louisiana Jewish Federation
Beaird Foundation
Evolve
LA Office of Culture, Recreation & Tourism
Rational Middle Media
Purchase tickets here.
Fifteen (15) AIA & ASID HSW CEUs for this event.
SPECIAL PARTNERS
Cane River National Heritage Area
Natchitoches Events Center
Natchitoches Convention & Visitors Bureau
Natchitoches Service League
Taking place June 20-23, the Louisiana Architecture Foundation presents the Architecture & Design Film Festival: New Orleans, our fourth year of celebrating the creative spirit that drives architecture and design. With a curated selection of documentary films, events and panel discussions, ADFF:NOLA creates an opportunity to entertain, engage and educate all types of people who are excited about architecture and design. The event takes place at the New Orleans Contemporary Arts Center (pictured). Film line-up and other details coming soon. See https://adfilmfest.com/site/nola2019.
The New Orleans Museum of Art, in conjunction with LAF and the National Minority Architects Chapter, New Orleans, will give audiences a "sneak peek" of one of the films that will be featured at this year's 2019 ADFF: NOLA film festival. The film, "Black Museum," Directed by Oliver Hardt, takes the audience on a journey through the spectacular National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C. Through 100,000 square feet of exhibition space spread across eight levels, the museum explores America’s history and culture through the lens of the African American experience.
The New Orleans Museum of Art is located at 1 Collins Diboll Cir, New Orleans. FREE for NOMA Members, General Audience--$15, Seniors $10 and $8 Students--- includes museum entrance and film.
LAF and the Iberia Cultural Association are partnering to showcase some of the eclectic modern styles of New Iberia. highlighting the mid 50s to late 60s. On Saturday, June 1, please join us for a tour of six unique homes from 10am to 4pm. A VIP reception will run from 4:30 to 6pm at one of the modern homes.
Reception & Book Talk/Signing Author Mark Lamster The Man In The Glass House
THURSDAY May 9th: 5:30 to 7pm
Shreveport, Downtown Library, 424 Texas Street
FREE, all are welcome!
When Philip Johnson died in 2005 at the age of 98, he was still one of the most recognizable figures on the American cultural landscape. The first recipient of the Pritzker Prize and MoMA’s founding architectural curator, Johnson made his mark as one of America’s leading architects.
Award-winning architectural critic and biographer Mark Lamster’s The Man in the Glass House lifts the veil on Johnson’s controversial and endlessly contradictory life to tell the story of a charming yet deeply flawed man. A rollercoaster tale of the perils of wealth, privilege, and ambition, this book probes the dynamics of American culture that made him so powerful, and tells the story of the built environment in modern America.
On Tuesday, April 9th, LAF will host a special Architecture + Ales Bar Crawl from 6pm to 8:30pm, that will focus on the Crescent City's interesting array of neighborhood bars featured in the new book Local Spirit: Neighborhood Bars of Orleans Parish by co-creators Rick Dobbs and Ken Murphy. We’ll discuss the unique styles and Rick and Ken will share the personalities of four New Orleans’ bars featured in their book. We'll bar hop to 4 sites, greeted at each with a welcome drink, with last stop a short book talk + signing w/ Rick + Ken.
For TICKETS
LAF invites you to join us on a special visit to select historic homes along Bayou Lafourche. The day-long guided bus tour is unique in that it will focus on how these homes have maintained their historical integrity and accuracy, while meeting 21st Century standards. Tour stops include: Perique Plantation, Palo Alto Plantation, Madewood Plantation and Rienzi Plantation.
Most of these are private and are typically not open to the public. Our special guest will be Henry Howard expert and author Robert Brantley who will travel along with us providing a fascinating look at the famous architect, as well as the design methods used in the 19th century. But the tour isn't all about the past. A few of the current homeowners will share their stories about painstakingly updating and rehabilitating their homes, while maintaining the historic integrity of the structures. The day-long event includes bus transportation, admission fees, Box Lunch and a VIP Reception. 7 AIA HSW CEUs will be provided.
photo: Madewood Plantation
Celebrate the holidays with A. Hays Town! Guests will be able to explore and enjoy four residential homes, one courthouse, and one church in the picturesque town of New Iberia built by Louisiana’s Architect – A. Hays Town. The sites each touch upon Town's iconic designs influenced by the building techniques of French, Spanish, and Caribbean styles. The day will include a combination of interior access of private homes as well as a driving tour. This event is presented in partnership with the Iberia Cultural Resource Association and the Louisiana Architecture Foundation.
Join the Louisiana Architecture Foundation for a special screening of “Designing Life: The Modernist Architecture of Albert C. Ledner” co-directed by Catherine Ledner and Roy Beeson, is an immersion into the life and work of New Orleans architect and modernist Albert C. Ledner who passed away at the age of 93 last November.
Prior to the feature will be screenings of award-winning architecture short films based in Louisiana that have screened at the Architecture & Design Film Festival: New Orleans. A special treat will the trailer, Unexpected Modernism: The Wiener Brothers’ Story produced by LAF and executed by the team of Rational Middle Media.
Tickets: $15 includes pizza, a flight of beers and films, any proceeds support the work of the Louisiana Architecture Foundation.
Home Tours | 12-5PM
VIP Reception | 5:30-7PM
Take a tour of residential homes and commercial buildings in Baton Rouge designed by Louisiana’s Architect – A. Hays Town. Guests will be able to explore several structures built by Town that encapsulate his iconic designs drawing upon French, Spanish, and Caribbean building techniques and details. This event is presented in partnership with the Hilliard Museum and the Louisiana Architecture Foundation.
Tickets are available online HERE. They will also be available for purchase the day of the event at Dixon Smith Interiors starting at 11am.
The Hilliard Museum and Louisiana Architecture Foundation will not disclose the addresses of the properties to the general public in order to respect the privacy of homeowners. Addresses and a map will be made available to ticket holders the day of the event.
We will begin to feature photographs of the tour locations as the event date approaches.
Join Knoll and LAF at the highly anticipated Garage by Wisznia I Architecture + Development for an evening of classic design and innovative development. Explore what it means to create a sense of hospitality at every exchange. From soft and welcoming touch-points to highly flexible environments, this limited showing of both Knoll’s most iconic pieces and some of the most recent product introductions against mixed-use construction presents a new way of thinking about the way the design drives how we live, work and play
A $49 million renovation, the project involves the conversion of the garage into a mixed-use residence. The development includes 51 market-rate apartment units and 11 condos located on the upper floors. The first floor will hold 21,000 square feet of commercial space.
The complex will have a uniquely-designed parking garage, equipped with two car elevators that will bring residents along with their vehicles to any of the upper floors.
The building was originally constructed in 1951 to house a Buick dealership.
Thursday, Oct 18th, 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
FREE Please RSVP
The Architecture & Design Film Fest: New Orleans! Now in its 3rd consecutive year in New Orleans, the festival features films ranging in topic from preservation issues, modern architecture, landscape design, women’s roles, environmental sustainability and more. To see list of films. All films will be playing at the Broad Theater
In conjunction with the Hilliard Museum and their upcoming retrospective on architect A. Hays Town, the LAF and the Hilliard Museum will be hosting tours of the late architect's residential designs in Lafayette on July 14. More information and online sales will be announced soon.
Reserve your tickets in advance HERE for $25, tickets will be $30 day of tour.
Prior to the tour day, an A. Hays Town And The Architectural Image Of Louisiana opens at the Hilliard Museum on June 15, reception 6pm to 8pm, finishing on December 29. The exhibition will be guest curated by architectural historian, Dr. Carol McMichael Reese, Professor in the School of Architecture at Tulane University, where Town studied. A highly collaborative project, the exhibition will bring together faculty and students from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Tulane University in New Orleans, and Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, providing an opportunity for students to gain experience in exhibition research, design, and production. We hope to see you there!
The Louisiana Architecture Foundation, in partnership with the Hammond Historic District Commission, is proud to present a day-long tour on Saturday, April 21 from 10 am to 4pm, of Hammond’s Mid-Century Modern collection of homes and commercial spaces, highlighting the exemplary work of John Desmond. An award-winning Hammond architect based in Baton Rouge, Desmond designed buildings in Hammond that helped shape the modern character and style of his hometown. The tour will take visitors on a mix of Desmond’s residential and commercial spaces in Hammond.
Where Landscape Meets Architecture - A one hour discussion of best practices and detailing focusing on the boundary between the Built Environment and Significant Trees. Event starts at 6pm with refreshments, lecture will begin at 6:30 with presentations by Bayou Tree Service and Carbo Landscape Architecture.
1. Maintenance of significant trees near existing structures to mitigate foundation and roof damage.
2. How to plan for and prepare existing tress that are adjacent to proposed new construction to maintain tree health and limit the potential for future damage to the structure.
3. Proper installation of root barrier and other techniques to prevent future conflicts.
4. Plant selection/detailing for new trees near new and existing buildings to prevent future maintenance issues.
LAF ANNOUNCES: CALL FOR SHORT FILM SUBMISSIONS
NEW ORLEANS, LA., March 1, 2018
The Architecture & Design Film Festival: New Orleans (ADFF: New Orleans), presented by the Louisiana Architectural Foundation, will be accepting short-film submissions for a chance to be released and viewed at
the ADFF: New Orleans film festival from August 23 through August 26, 2018.
WHAT: Call for Short Film Submissions
WHO: High School, College, Amateur and Professionals
WHEN: Starting March 1st with deadline of midnight July 16, 2018
MORE INFO: http://adfilmfest.com/site/nola2018
On March 1, 2018 the Louisiana Architectural Foundation will open the contest for online short film submissions, ending at midnight on July 16, 2018. Short films should run between two and five minutes in length and should meet the eligibility requirements listed on the website. The short-film contest is open to both high-school and college-level students, as well as amateur and professional filmmakers. Prizes will be awarded and voted on by a special panel of judges. Short-films submitted for entry should cover a topic relating to architecture, design, urban planning, historic preservation, or any other relevant topic.
The Architecture & Design Film Festival: New Orleans in its third year, and is the largest film festival dedicated to the creative spirit of Architecture & Design. This festival gives people in our region a great opportunity for exposure and participation in the world of architecture and design through film. LAF seeks to bring together the general public with our arts, architecture and cultural partners in this celebration of architecture through a weekend of films August 23 to August 26, 2018. For more information: http://adfilmfest.com/site/nola2018
The Louisiana Architecture Foundation and Tulane University’s Masters of Historic Preservation Studies present: acclaimed preservationist, and lead architect of the restoration of Chicago’s Unity Temple, Gunny Harboe, FAIA. Mr. Harboe will present the transformative restoration that has returned an internationally significant work of architecture to its original appearance while giving it new life for its congregation and for Frank Lloyd Wright enthusiasts who come to see it from all over the world.
For much of his four-decade career, the Chicago architect has worked on several landmarks designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, including Taliesin West and Robie House. Harboe recently oversaw the $25 million restoration of Unity Temple, Wright’s 1909 masterpiece located in Chicago’s Oak Park suburb. In addition to Wright, Harboe has worked on National Historic Landmarks designed by such architects as Mies Van der Rohe, Louis Sullivan, and Holabird and Root.
Hosted by the Louisiana Architectural Foundation (LAF) and the New Orleans Architecture Foundation (NOAF), these monthly meet-ups are free to anyone who wants to learn more about New Orleans by drawing, painting, photography, etc.
We're going to meet at the New Orleans Botanical Garden (5 Victory Ave) at 10 AM to draw, paint and photograph this incredible treasure of New Orleans!
