A Studio in the Woods, the historic site that has inspired artistic pieces of work in all forms, is celebrating its 50th year of opening! The space will be throwing a “Bottomland Jubilee” on May 19, 2019, as a fundraiser for programming and an honoring of land and legacy.

Located at 13401 Patterson Road, the foundation of A Studio in the Woods caught the attention of owners Joe and Lucianne Carmichael in 1969. As the couple was picnicking on the levee in Lower Coast Algiers, they passed the now studio and saw a for sale sign. After purchasing the property, the couple established the studio and for thirty years, created ceramics, wood and metal sculptures, and furniture in the forest.

A Studio in the Woods strives to preserve endangered bottomland hardwood forest and wants to provide a peaceful retreat where artists and scholars can work. The Carmichaels have opened up their area and offered students, artists, educators and environmentalists an experience to educate themselves about the natural environment and appreciate all the aspects of the forest that can be utilized in the creation of artwork. Since 2001, over 130 artists and scholars have used the woods as a source of inspiration where they came to work, think and create. The property was donated to Tulane University in 2004 and is now a program of the university’s ByWater Institute, where they focus on interrelated areas of programming.

The special celebration this year will feature Sunpie and his Louisiana Sunspots, veteran New Orleans musician and a former Park Ranger with the National Park Service for 30 years according to White Oak Productions. A special appearance will be made by Dr. Michael White, jazz clarinetist, bandleader, composer, jazz historian and musical educator. Joining them for artistic offerings are former residents and guest artists Brandon Ballengée, Manon Bellet, Pippen Frisbie-Calder, Jonathan Mayers and Hannah Pepper-Cunningham.

The event will be held next door at the neighbor’s place: 14001 Patterson Road. For more information, click here.