This stained glass project titled “Grand Bayou Sunset” is a triptych of 36″ x 30″ panels commissioned by the Atakapa-Ishak Chawasha community in Grand Bayou, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.
The Grand Bayou Atakapa-Ishak Chawasha community lost their church and many homes in Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Isaac. Recently their church was rebuilt, and these stained glass panels that depict the sacred Grand Bayou water, sky and land will be installed behind their altar to commemorate their heritage.
Among other concerns for strengthening the new church, a traditional installation of stained glass with natural lighting would not be suitable for the unpredictable weather of the Grand Bayou. This triptych will include integrated LED illumination, with moisture resistant construction, providing reliable light for this artwork day or night.
The Atakapa-Ishak Chawasha are located along the coast and in the marshes of a unique and diverse ecosystem, an area that been devastated by Hurricane Katrina and is deeply impacted by seawater rise. The Atakapa-Ishak Chawasha are working to preserve the people, culture, and land of that region with projects like this and many others of its kind.
About the community and ecological disasters impacting them:
First People’s Conservation Council
High risk Native American village on Grand Bayou wants government help to stay
Acknowledgements:
The Grand Bayou Sunset Triptych project is a community collaborative project, conceived after Hurricane Katrina at the Natural Hazards Workshop in Boulder Colorado. The project is led by Mary White, in collaboration with the Atakapa Ishak Chawasha Tribe of Southern Louisiana.
Tribal members, three sociologists and many artists have contributed their time and resources to make this project possible, including:
Rosina Philippe
Reverend Benny
Sierra Ancar
Jeanne Sykes
Paul and Caroline Sykes
Kris Peterson
Shirley Laska
Louise Fortmann
Mary White
Jerry Sears
Marty and Bud Meade
Susan Longini
Arthur Stern
Jenna Kurtz and Jesse
Ariana and Nzilani Glass
Kristina Zarelli
Penelope Anstruther
Najah Alboushi
Northwest 1024
Fred Mork and Walter Mork, Inc
Phil and Franciscan Glass
Stained Glass Garden
Caroline Margaux
Ghost Ranch
Natural Hazards Workshop at UC Boulder