Image by Arek Socha from Pixabay

I looked at this a couple of times and then decided to post it as it would be a good one to see but it is not coming to New Orleans. It is a Smithsonian traveling exhibit.

In addition to fishing and lounging in the sun, Grand Isle has a new attraction: a Smithsonian Institution exhibit centered on water’s endless cycle and influence on local culture. Hosted in the Grand Isle Community Center, the traveling exhibit will be on display for the next six weeks starting Saturday at 10 a.m. through Aug. 20. Six small Louisiana communities were selected to host the exhibition, “Water/Ways,” highlighting how water environmentally and socially shapes life across the United States. “It’s just another activity for when it’s too hot for the beach and the fish aren’t biting,” said Jean Landry, a member of Grand Isle’s community development team.

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The hope is that the local residents will better understand their relationship to flooding, hurricanes, tourism, and the oil and gas industry.

“Water is an important part of everyone’s life, and we are excited to explore what it means culturally, socially and spiritually in our own community,” said Claudia Burregi, one of the event’s local organizers. “We want to convene conversations about water and have developed local exhibitions and public programs to compliment the Smithsonian exhibition.” Depending on the day, those who visit can hear from various speakers, tour local landmarks such as old houses or shrimp drying sheds or watch a documentary screening – all centered on southeast Louisiana. Visitors are also encouraged to share their own experiences with water, said Chris Robert, a grant manager with the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities. “It’s really meant to be a springboard for discussion of all the ways we relate to water,” he said. “We think water is one of the existential issues, not just in coastal Louisiana but the entire state. This creates a great framework for people to explore all those ideas and stories.”

Part of the Museum on Main Street, the Smithsonian hopes to bring there respected brand to small town and communities across the country. THe shows are often tailored to the community as is this one. The exhibit is highly interactive that is hard to find in remote areas.

The schedule for events may be found online. After Grand Isle, the exhibit will stop at museums in Madisonville, New Iberia, Natchitoches and Cameron, ending its journey in March 2022. 

Madisonville is the closest to us if any one wants to see this exhibit.

Water exhibit at Grand Isle
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