Introducing Jo Vidrine
I call myself the Freelance Cajun, Seemed like a good ear-catching name that serves as an umbrella title for some of the things that I do. My passions lie in music, photography, and sharing food from southwest Louisiana. I have a deep connection and sense of place in south Louisiana through its music, culture, and access to the natural world.
As time has gone on I’ve managed to turn my passions into business ventures. I am a traveling musician playing cajun music in many places across the country and internationally. I’ve been fortunate to explore the professional photography world as a shooter and as an assistant to many amazing artists. I also from time to time feed the masses Louisiana-based “glory meals” in an effort to share some of my home traditions and build community every chance I get.
With the growth of business and community, I found my place in the Basin arts scene. At first, I was simply looking for a place to work on my photo editing. I didn’t realize the benefit of running into other artists, dancers, and musicians on a day-to-day basis and how invigorating it could be just to be in a building that literally pumps energy through the walls. While doing my work (which is in its nature very solitary) I get to feel people jumping dancing and moving in their studio spaces. I have the opportunity to hear young people learning music down the hall and I benefit from bouncing ideas off of fellow creators passing through.
Who makes up your art circle?
The community I’ve been a part of my whole life here in Lafayette, and the greater community that stems from attraction to cajun and creole culture is largely who I would consider my artist circle. This is a very broad group of people as it includes Musicians, artists, cooks, dancers, and of course the people who simply appreciate the art forms that are presented here and abroad. My artist circle is always growing always evolving and I hope to continue its growth for as long as possible
How do you expand your art circle?
I’ve been lucky to not have to struggle at expanding the circle thus far as it has presented itself to me and continually grows as time goes on. Through conversation and personal connections based on common interests, I’ve managed to make lifelong friendships and connections through art that are unbreakable and typically unspoken bonds. I hope to let my circle expand infinitely through my life and to experience the support and inspiration that I’ve felt in this community for years to come.
What value do you see in having a creative community?
I’ve mentioned owing everything that I’ve done thus far to my community. Sure there’s a bunch of hard work and dedication to my work that has gotten me somewhere but without the expansive artist community that branches from this area, I wouldn’t have much going. The artists that I’ve had a chance to work with have made a huge impact on my work and learning process. Between working in the photo/ film industry, the food, and beverage industry, and being a musician I’ve had the chance to work and play with so many different people. This creative community is everything to me.
How does your artistic approach contribute to your community?
One can be a musician with no audience but I’ve always found great joy in playing for people. If I had no community to share my photography with then it would just be for nothing, no feedback, no praise, or compliment. If I cooked a giant black pot full of gumbo and had no one to feed it to then it would all be for nothing.
I’m not exactly sure what the answer is to this prompt but I hope my work moves people now, and that work that I create now will resonate with people of the future. As a photographic storyteller, I hope my work will set a scene for generations of art appreciators to come just as past generations of artists have inspired me
