Introducing Drake Leblanc
Drake LeBlanc is a Lafayette-based filmmaker, multimedia artist, and creative director whose work is rooted in the culture, language, and heritage of Louisiana. His connection to those traditions began early through Lafayette’s French immersion program, where he attended Evangeline Elementary, Paul Breaux Middle, and Lafayette High. At home, his parents encouraged curiosity and creativity through photography, community engagement, food, music, and new experiences.
After high school, Drake began hosting a French-language radio show on KRVS, combining his creative interests with the language skills he developed growing up. Through the station, he connected with artists and culture bearers throughout the region, relationships that eventually opened the door to filmmaking and opportunities to document Louisiana culture through visual storytelling.
Today, Drake is the Founder and Creative Director of Above the Beyond Studios, a multimedia production company creating thought-provoking film and digital content. He also co-founded Tele-Louisiane, a multilingual media platform dedicated to Louisiana’s languages and cultures, where he spent six years helping shape its creative direction and storytelling.
Across photography and filmmaking, Drake’s artistic practice centers on documenting and preserving cultural heritage while challenging familiar narratives. His recent project, Footwork, explores Black and Creole cowboy culture, challenging the familiar Hollywood image of the white cowboy and highlighting the roles Creole, African American, and Native American communities have played in shaping cowboy traditions.
LeBlanc has directed numerous creative ventures and continues to be a leading voice in celebrating and documenting the Creole and Cajun cultures of Louisiana.
Who makes up your art circle?
My art circle consists of culture bearers who protect and nourish all aspects of culture through all of its diverse avenues. They are chefs, musicians, poets, authors, teachers, luthiers, baristas, and so much more!
How do you expand your art circle?
Expanding my circle is easy. I go outside. Simply stepping outside of the house with good energy and the intention to create brings all of the right people into my world and creates a space where we can share and learn from each other.
What value do you see in having a creative community?
The value I see in a creative community is the ability to solve real-world problems creatively. More often than not, complex problems need creative solutions, and what better people to put on the task than the artists?
How does your artistic approach contribute to your community?
I can’t say how my approach contributes to the community, but I’d love to hear it from them.
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