Join Whitney Plantation for Indigeaux: Yes, Spirit. I'll go…, an exhibition by teaching artist and cultural architect Iya Oriade Queen Leia Lewis, opening October 17, 2025, and on display through December 31, 2025. Access to the exhibit is included in your admission to Whitney Plantation.
Presented on the grounds of Whitney Plantation, a former indigo plantation, Indigeaux explores the spiritual and cultural memory of indigo dyeing traditions that once powered the colonial economy and connects these practices to Louisiana’s enslaved ancestors.
The collection features hand-dyed textiles, original artwork, and symbol-rich storytelling rooted in the indigo traditions of West Africa. Through her art and words, Queen Leia honors the generations of African-descended women and men whose expertise in cultivating and processing indigo brought wealth to enslavers and pain to the enslaved.
Visitors can explore the exhibit on their own or during public programs including:
- A Family Day experience featuring hands-on art-making for children
- A guided Artist Talk + Tour with Queen Leia
- A 5-day school curriculum experience aligned with Louisiana Social Studies standards
- A selection of artwork, prints, scarves, and journals from the exhibit will be available in the Whitney Plantation Gift Store.
About the Artist:
Queen Leia Lewis is a self-described Cultural Teaching Architect—a mixed media artist, educator, healer, and community builder whose work weaves together Afro-Indigenous traditions, visual storytelling, and spiritual practice. She is the founder of Sankofa Gardens in Shreveport and the creator of Art By Oriade, her studio for Black-centered visual arts and immersive cultural experiences. Lewis has studied with master textile artists across the U.S. and West Africa, dedicating over 30 years to honoring the legacy of indigo in Black life.
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