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Since 1985, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH) has honored Louisianans who have made outstanding contributions to the study and understanding of the humanities. This year, two Lafayette-area natives—Darrell Bourque and Viola Fontenot (both from Church Point)—are among those being honored at the annual Bright Lights Awards Dinner. The event will be held on April 4 at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Student Union.

2019 Bright Lights Awards

The LEH’s annual Humanities Awards, also known as the Bright Lights Awards, are awarded in partnership with Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser.

The local award winners are:

• Darrell Bourque, Humanist of the Year

  • Awarded for invaluable contributions to Louisiana’s cultural landscape
  • About Darrell Bourque

    • A poet and activist
    • Church Point native
    • Former Louisiana Poet Laureate
    • Longtime professor at University of Louisiana at Lafayette
    • Author of 12 books of poetry
    • Founding member of Narrative 4, an international storytelling exchange project
    • Will publish a book of sonnets about Henriette DeLille and a book of ghazals (a form of Arabic poetry) in 2019

  • A Cajun Girl’s Sharecropping Years by Viola Fontenot, Humanities Book of the Year

    • Awarded for book that best exemplifies scholarship on Louisiana topics or by Louisiana writers
    • About Viola Fontenot

      • Fontenot is a Church Point native
      • Started writing A Cajun Girl’s Sharecropping Years after taking a creative writing continuing education class in Lafayette
      • Published by University Press of Mississippi

Bright Lights Awards Dinner event

The annual Bright Lights Awards Dinner is a chance for the community to come together and celebrate the contributions of the state’s artists, authors, scholars, filmmakers, activists, and most ardent supporters of Louisiana’s cultural heritage. It is an upscale event that strikes a balance between being elegant and approachable while showcasing the vibrant personalities and achievements not just of those who are being honored, but those who join in the celebration. This year’s event will feature a silent auction, performances by local musicians, and even a mobile museum created by ULL graduate students.

• Thursday, April 4, 2019
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette Student Union (620 McKinley St)
• Run of Show:

  • Reception (6 p.m.)
  • Silent auction

    • Jewelry, works by notable Louisiana artists/photographers, travel packages, etc.

  • Dinner (7:30 p.m.)
  • Music provided by the Angelle Aces (a Cajun trio) and a jazz guitar duo
  • A mobile museum in a vintage Airstream trailer produced by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette History Department will be on display