Ancestral Artistry: The Influence of Africans & Creoles of Color on Louisiana Architecture is a documentary produced by the non-profit Louisiana Architecture Foundation (LAF). The film explores a centuries-old legacy rooted in craftsmanship, culture, and resilience—a story that begins over 300 years ago with the arrival of enslaved Africans in French colonial Louisiana. These individuals brought with them not only strength and endurance, but deep knowledge in building trades like carpentry, masonry, iron smithing, and plasterwork. Their skill shaped the physical and cultural landscape of Louisiana in profound and lasting ways.

Over generations, these trades were passed down through families and communities, evolving into a distinctive architectural identity that sets Louisiana apart from other parts of the United States. These traditions took root in a place unlike much of America—a colony and later state that fostered a significant population of free people of color, many of mixed African and European descent. For these Creoles of Color, the building trades were more than a means of survival; they became a path to wealth, independence, and social mobility in an era when African-descended people faced severe restrictions across much of the country.

The film illuminates how African and European influences merged in Louisiana's architecture through both technique and artistry. From finely crafted ironwork and ornate plaster details to expertly constructed homes and public buildings, the contributions of these Black and Creole artisans helped define Louisiana’s unique built environment. Yet their names and stories are often absent from history books, their contributions underrecognized and at risk of being forgotten.

Ancestral Artistry brings this legacy to life by interweaving historical context with the present-day stories of New Orleans craftsmen who are working to keep these endangered traditions alive. The film follows three master artisans—Jeff Poree, Darryl Reeves, and the late Teddy Pierre—as they share their personal journeys, creative practices, and visions for the future. Each man has dedicated his life to preserving the delicate techniques and cultural memory of their ancestors, despite the mounting challenges of an aging workforce, lack of apprentices, and increasing disconnection from manual trades.

Through rich visuals, personal interviews, and a deep respect for history, Ancestral Artistry is both a celebration and a call to action. It honors the hands that built Louisiana and urges us to protect this heritage before it fades. The film reminds viewers that architecture is not just about buildings—it’s about people, memory, and the stories we choose to preserve.

The Louisiana Architecture Foundation (LAF) supports this work as part of its broader mission to connect the public to the architectural profession. LAF promotes public awareness, engagement, and appreciation of architecture’s role in shaping our communities.

Shooting in New Orleans, Natchitoches, Donaldsonville, and Pointe Coupée Parish, the film will capture not only the beauty of splendid historic structures, but will also showcase the work of the contemporary torch-bearers of ancient skills.

Working with state and national academics, museums, researchers in architecture and African American studies, Castille and her team hope to uncover details and stories about fascinating people from this little-discussed chapter of Louisiana history. This includes:

• The Metoyer family of Cane River, near Natchitoches; the gens du couleur libres were responsible for designing and building Melrose Plantation in the late 1700s, as well as other dwellings, churches, and more;

• The 60-year-old freed slave, Yves, also known as Pacale’, owner and builder in 1803 of the French Creole Roque House on the Cane River;

• Jean-Louis Dolliole and Norbert Soulie, both free men of color and possibly the most prolific and critical black architects of pre-Civil War New Orleans;
  

• Generations of families of color that chose to defy Jim Crow and segregated education by taking up trades in the building arts, rather than being educated in a segregated school system; and 

• Contemporary designers of color who have positively impacted Louisiana’s built environment, including LSU’s first African American professor of architecture, the late Julien White of Baton Rouge.

Film festivals, public screenings, panel discussions, statewide airtime on Louisiana public television, and national exposure on PBS.

Public & private schools and universities across the state & possibly Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) across the nation.

Museums and libraries across Louisiana, perhaps as part of a traveling exhibit through the Louisiana State Museum system; African American museums.

About the LAF

Established in 1996, the LAF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which was created specifically to provide Louisianans with access to knowledge and statewide educational events relating to the value of architecture and design in the built environment.

We do this by creating more public awareness of architecture, encouraging public support for architecture, and facilitating public participation in processes that shape the environment.

We’ve hosted a variety of statewide events, such as architectural tours, an annual architecture film festival, and educational seminars. We operate solely with the help of sponsorships, public donations, grants, and income generated by our programs and membership.

From 2016 to 2019, the LAF hosted the annual Louisiana Architecture & Design Film Festival. The festival showcased Louisiana and nationally- produced films about architecture and architects.

In 2020, the LAF premiered its first film presentation, “Unexpected Modernism: The Wiener Brothers’ Story.” The film was entirely funded by grants and donations. The acclaimed film has been screened statewide and was televised on Louisiana Public Broadcasting from 2019 - 21. LPB is working with the LAF to submit the film for national broadcast on PBS. The LAF is also working with Catherine Ledner to help present the final version of her film about her acclaimed architect father, "Designing Life: The Modernist Architecture of Albert C. Ledner."