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Introducing Drake Leblanc
Portrait by Joseph Vidrine (@freelancecajun) Drake LeBlanc is a Lafayette-based filmmaker, multimedia artist, and creative director whose work is rooted in the culture, language, and heritage of Louisiana. His connection to those traditions began early through Lafayette’s French immersion program, where he attended Evangeline Elementary, Paul Breaux Middle, and Lafayette High. At home, his parents encouraged curiosity and creativity through photography, community engagement,
Basin Arts
5 days ago2 min read
Introducing Alexis Landry
Alexis Landry is a Lafayette-based dancer and choreographer. She began dancing at age five at the Gail Freese School of Dance and has more than 17 years of dance experience. She recently received her BFA in Dance from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Alexis’ artistic practice sits at the intersection of artistry and athleticism. Her work explores the complexities of human emotion, relationships, and lived experiences, using movement as a means of storytelling and con
Basin Arts
Sep 232 min read
Introducing Melissa Pendrey
Melissa Pendrey is a Lafayette-based visual artist originally from South Florida. After moving to South Georgia as a teenager, she went on to study art at the Savannah College of Art and Design. There, she developed a strong foundation in color theory and began exploring architecture more intentionally in her work. Melissa works in a representational style, often drawing birds, buildings, and people. Her pieces typically begin with ink, with color added through watercolor, co
Basin Arts
Sep 172 min read
Introducing Samantha Sigur
Samantha Sigur is a 22-year-old Lafayette native and senior studying sculpture at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Samantha has been a part of Lafayette’s arts community for nearly her entire life, from participating in LPSS student art expos as a child to attending the Visual Arts Academy at Ovey Comeaux High School and now exhibiting her work throughout South Louisiana while earning her BFA at UL Lafayette. Samantha’s work explores themes of femininity, adverse chi
Basin Arts
Sep 103 min read
Introducing Christian Smith
Christian Smith is a Lafayette born and raised dancer whose artistic journey began in 2021, when he started training and performing under the direction of Leigha T. Porter, founder of F.I.R.E Expressions Performing Arts Conservatory. Through that experience, Christian began developing his movement practice, gaining performance experience, and building a stronger connection to Lafayette’s dance community. Now, Christian is entering a new chapter as a freshman at the University
Basin Arts
Sep 22 min read
Introducing Matthew Huval
Matthew Huval is a visual artist and musician based in Lafayette, Louisiana. From a young age, Matthew created animations using Macromedia Flash on his family computer and Flipnote Studio on his Nintendo DSi under the moniker “GameRat101.” He also began making music with FL Studio and, while in high school, released mashups on SoundCloud under the same username. Matthew attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette from 2019 to 2022, studying visual arts with a focus in a
Basin Arts
Aug 272 min read
Art Circle: Interview with Lynda Frese and Chubby Carrier
TUNE IN to our latest KRVS Art Circle interview featuring 2026 LINEAGE Honorees Lynda Frese and Chubby Carrier! 🎙️ Through our ongoing partnership with KRVS Media, Art Circle interviews give local visual and performing artists the opportunity to share their creative inspirations, artistic processes, community connections, and more. In this episode, Lynda and Chubby talk about their creative journeys, the work that has shaped their careers, and the lasting impact of art and m
Basin Arts
Aug 211 min read
Introducing Savannah Raley
Savannah Raley is a digital communications specialist, graphic designer, and event coordinator currently based in New Orleans. Previously Basin Arts’ Operations and Engagement Manager, Savannah recently brought her design and communications expertise to Brechtel Hospitality’s team in New Orleans. Though her creative practice looks a little different from that of a traditional studio artist, Savannah’s work lives at the intersection of art and communication. Through graphic de
Basin Arts
Aug 203 min read
Introducing Pauly Steez
Paul Bailey is a Baton Rouge-born artist currently based in Lafayette, Louisiana. He earned a degree in Fine Arts with a concentration in Painting from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Working primarily with acrylic paint and oil pastels, Paul draws inspiration from artists such as Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso, particularly their approaches to color, subject matter, and texture. His work explores themes including man versus machine, isolation, and pop culture. Who m
Basin Arts
Aug 111 min read
Introducing Kaylin Anderson
Kaylin Nicolette Anderson is a mixed-media artist from Lafayette, Louisiana, whose creative journey has been shaped by communities across Louisiana and Georgia. After attending a performing arts high school in Georgia, she continued her visual arts education by earning a BFA in Graphic Communications. Now working across painting, graphic design, and beadwork, Kaylin embraces experimentation across each medium. As a freelance designer and artist, Kaylin continues to move betwe
Basin Arts
Aug 62 min read
Introducing Ishita Pal
Ishita Pal is a dancer and choreographer from Bengal, India, whose work explores the diverse world of Indian contemporary dance. Formally trained in the Indian classical dance forms of Kathak and Manipuri, she brings movement, culture, storytelling, and curiosity together in her artistic practice. Much like a mixed-media artist, Ishita combines different styles, disciplines, and ideas to create work that offers new ways of seeing and experiencing a story. Since coming to Loui
Basin Arts
Jul 292 min read
Art Circle: Interview with Marie Kimball and Sara Crochet
Tune in to our KRVS Art Circle interview with artists Marie Kimball and Sara Crochet! 🎙️✨ Through our ongoing partnership with KRVS Media, Art Circle interviews create space for local visual and performing artists the opportunity their creative inspirations, artistic processes, community connections and more. Hear Marie and Sara reflect on their creative journeys, the ideas and experiences that shape their work, and their connections to Acadiana’s artistic community .
Basin Arts
Jul 281 min read
Introducing Anna Maria Hebert
Anna Maria Hebert is a Lafayette-born performer, choreographer, and dance educator whose work centers on portraying stories and emotions through movement. She began dancing at the age of three at Jill Listi Dance Studio (JLDS), where she trained for 16 years, including 10 years as a member of the Elite Competition Team. During her time there, she developed a deep passion for dance and the arts, inspiring her to continue her dance education. Anna Maria has also served as an in
Basin Arts
Jul 233 min read
Introducing Zekiah Smith
Zekiah Smith is a community dancer born and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana. Zekiah started his dance journey at F.I.R.E Expression Dance Conservatory at the age of 17 (2014) under the ownership of Leigha Porter. Zekiah is trained in many dance genres, including Modern, Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet, and, more recently, Heels. His most recent performance was “Preservation” 2024, artistically directed by Leigha Porter. He has also made several appearances in the University of Loui
Basin Arts
Jul 162 min read
Introducing Stephanie Patton
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Stephanie Patton is a multimedia artist who has exhibited her artwork nationally and internationally. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a Master of Fine Arts in Photography from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Stephanie’s work often explores human emotion through humor, playfulness, and universal experiences. In addition to her studio practice, she is the producer and ho
Basin Arts
Jul 92 min read
Art Circle: Interview with Bob Borel and Jeffery McCullough
TUNE IN to our latest KRVS Art Circle interview with ProjectSpace Residency artist Bob Borel and Jeffrey McCullough! 📻✨ On the last Monday of each month, a new Art Circle interview airs featuring local visual and performing artists. Our partnership with KRVS enables local artists to share their creative inspirations, artistic processes, community connections, and more. In this conversation, Bob and Jeffrey discuss MOM MOM'S: The Sacred Ordinary, Bob's current ProjectSpace Re
Basin Arts
Jun 291 min read
Introducing Anija Guillory
Anija Guillory is a Lafayette-born dancer and artist currently entering her final year in the Dance program at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She has been dancing for nearly 20 years, beginning her training in studio dance before pursuing more formal arts education through the Performing Arts Academy at Comeaux High School. Throughout her dance career, Anija has performed in the Lafayette Ballet Theatre's production of The Nutcracker for four years and South Louisi
Basin Arts
Jun 252 min read
Introducing Zavier Taylor
Zavier Taylor is an advanced, industry-focused dancer with experience across multiple styles, specializing in hip-hop, jazz, and contemporary. Known for bringing strong energy into every class and rehearsal, Zavier pushes dancers to grow both technically and creatively while keeping training fun, motivating, and welcoming for everyone involved. After dancing for almost 10 years and training at a professional level for the past 2 years, Zavier has continued to develop a deep p
Basin Arts
May 132 min read
Introducing Brooke Hoogendoorn
Born in New Iberia, Louisiana, and now based in Lafayette, Brooke Hoogendoorn has spent more than two decades building a career rooted in creativity, instinct, and an unwavering commitment to doing things her own way. Artistic from an early age, Brooke always knew she would pursue a creative life, though traditional schooling never felt like the path meant for her. Instead, she chose the self-taught route — learning through experimentation, curiosity, and years of hands-on wo
Basin Arts
May 115 min read
Introducing Charlie Novak
Charlie Novak is a Lafayette native musician who graduated from Ovey Comeaux High School. Charlie has been playing guitar for 12 years and studied music theory through the performing arts academy at Comeaux. He is currently pursuing a degree at ULL. While pursuing his degree, he’s been performing live and releasing music with local groups like The Fizgigs, Genuine Mustard, and Doggish, as well as his solo project since 2019. Charlie has also been teaching private guitar lesso
Basin Arts
May 82 min read
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