Ogden Museum of Southern Art
925 Camp St
New Orleans, LA 70130
504.539.9650 | HOURS
925 Camp St
New Orleans, LA 70130
504.539.9650 | HOURS
New Orleans based artist Jacob Reptile spent three weeks working with second through fifth graders from Young Audiences Charter School at Lawrence D. Crocker Campus to create a forest of cypress trees made from recycled fabric and paper bags.
For the residency, Reptile drew inspiration from the remarkable features of the Louisiana bald cypress tree. Students learned all about the tree: how its powerful roots help to hold together Louisiana’s shoreline and absorb water reducing city flooding; how the mighty cypress can not only survive hurricane winds but also acts as a windbreak for the city; and lastly, how its canopy helps to reduce high temperatures during the hot summers.
Jacob broke down the tree into three sections: the canopy, the trunk and the tree roots (which are known as knees because of their vertical knobby growths). Each week students built a different part of the cypress tree. Students learned about the connectedness of ecosystems and how all plants and animals are tied together in the web of life and benefit from the cypress tree’s existence. Using field guides as a reference, students drew and painted regional plants and animals on each part of the tree that correlates with their place in the environment – the sky, land or water.
Learn more on how to preserve the coast
At the heart of the mission of Ogden Museum of Southern Art is the goal to provide educational opportunities for in-depth exploration of the visual arts and culture of the American South. Since 2001, the Learning and Engagement Department has organized artist-in-residence programs, pairing Southern artists with local schools. Working with elementary school students in the medium of the artist’s choice, the artist spends multiple weeks exploring the influence of geography and sense of place. Upon completion of the residency, the students visit the Museum to view their finished artwork installed in the Education Gallery.
Born and raised in New Orleans, Jacob Reptile is a textile artist working in recycled fabrics. In 2004, Jacob left his hometown to pursue a BFA in Fiber Art at the Kansas City Art Institute. When he returned, Jacob found himself with a new passion for textile, wearable and green art. Missing the sense of community and collaboration that he experienced in art school, he purchased a large run-down building in New Orleans’ Bywater neighborhood. Through hard work and generous help, he turned the building into what is now the Aquarium Gallery and Studios.
Jacob Reptile’s body of work focuses on the wildlife living amongst us. He is known for his soft sculptures made of repurposed clothing and textiles. The use of plush art is playful and reminiscent of childhood toys. Jacob’s work focuses on bringing joy while using recycled materials to highlight issues of over consumption. Jacob dreams of a better coexistence with nature.