About the Event Site - Atelier de la Nature

The Atelier de la Nature is a non-profit ecology and arts center located near Arnaudville, Louisiana. It is operated by Brandon and Aurore Ballongeé. In Brandon I found a kindred spirit in seeking connections of Art and Science. We both strive to inspire wonder and personal expression, especially for children who otherwise have had limited opportunities and resources. That is the guiding vision of the Atelier de la Nature. The annual Halloween Science and Art Festival is a great opportunity for the children in the area of Arnaudville, Louisiana to experience Science, Art, Music, and good food in a free setting where money does not matter.

I first became acquainted with Brandon Ballangee and his vision for Atelier de la Nature in 2019. He contacted me to ask about including my pelican (pterodactyl) statue in the art garden section of the Halloween Science and Art Festival that year. I showed him some of my stage set designs, Halloween production photos, and Godzilla model collection. 2019 was the first year of my participation in the Halloween Science & Arts Festival. I provided my pelican statue for display, and also installed my giant spider over the stage. 

2020 was affected by the Covid virus limitations, so the Halloween event date was converted into a Bio-Blitz. Professional scientists and citizen scientists descended upon the Atelier property to count every plant, animal, and fungus species they could find in a 24 hour period! I had created a giant Venus flytrap installation for my house, which I installed for the night of the event. It was covered in green spandex fabric that responded to UV lights, serving as an attraction for night active insects.

For Halloween 2021 the festival was again held and the theme was about combative plant and animal interactions. One of the featured species was the fungus Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, which infects ants, taking control of their brains. In keeping with the theme, I designed and built some giant (8-foot long) zombie ant sculptures and an enormous ant hill. I also gave demonstrations of the materials and techniques that went into the ant construction for interested participants of all ages.

The 2022 Halloween Art & Nature Festival is going to have a space theme, so our discussions of the fact that tardigrade (AKA water bears or moss piglets) could live in a space environment let to the idea of building the microscopic Water Drop Dome.