Just A Spoonful — A New Orleans Dream Takes Flight
Some love stories begin in a studio. Rarely — wonderfully,
unbelievably — do they catch fire in the desert and come home
forever changed. JoLean Barkley and WENDO found each other while
studying Fine Arts at the University of New Orleans, their
insatiable love for art making and each other inspired a creative
union in the city they call home. They built a family and a creative
partnership woven from paint, passion, and the magic of New Orleans.
Then the desert called. Their first Burn was in Abita Springs, LA
and its embers ignited a flaming spirit inside them and gifted a
commission to paint an old bus named the Swamp Goddess in exchange
for tickets to Burning Man 2023 sent them hustling like never
before. The Lost Penguins, a beloved Burning Man theme camp,
embraced them. As penguins they embarked on an art walk beneath the
evening Playa sky illuminated with the magic known only to burners.
Back home, JoLean debuted phosphorescent paintings on hanging
fabrics inspired by the lights of the Playa. While supporting her at
the exhibit, WENDO fell into deep conversations with guests and
colleagues that sent him into a spiral of imaginative thinking and a
descent into wonder. and a fishbowl placed on the kitchen counter.
They filled it with ideas and from it, one vision rose: a magical
umbrella, iridescent and alive, intended to fly them back home. That
vision is Just A Spoonful — a whimsical, larger-than-life sculpture
inspired by Mary Poppins' enchanted umbrella celebrating New Orleans
second line culture and the magic of Black Rock City. Just A
Spoonful has been officially selected as one of only 75 Honoraria
installations for Burning Man 2026 — chosen from hundreds of
proposals worldwide. The honoraria awarded them a grant covering 25%
of the fabrication costs and journey. Black Rock City hosts 70,000
people from over 100 countries. The grant covers part of the cost —
and we invite you to be a part of our journey. Take flight with us
with your donation and kind spirit.
