Arts Alive - March 2017

BSL's Got Talent

Demonstrating artists and a series of live, competitive events make this art show different from any other in the region.  Find out what's in store for this year's Arts Alive! festival.
- story by Lisa Monti, photos by Ellis Anderson and Cynthia Mahner

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2016 Winners of the Singer-Songwriter competition with MCs Rochelle Harper and Gary Bozwell (right)

​ The Arts, Hancock County will present the fourth annual ArtsAlive! March 18 with a jam-packed schedule from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (and beyond) in Old Town Bay St. Louis.
 
The event builds on the creative momentum that kicked off over ten years ago as a studio tour of members of The Arts, Hancock County, a 501(c)3 organization.

The enthusiastic response back then, from both participants and the public surprised organizers and supporters of the local arts scene.

In the following years, that energy continued build and quickly turned ArtsAlive! into the arts festival that’s not to be missed, either by artists or those who appreciate art. And the appeal has drawn interest from across the region.

"Every year we are astounded by the outpouring of interesting and talented artists. We want the community to know them and their artistic processes, while fostering relationships between the people and businesses here," said Martha Whitney Butler, Arts President. ​

The Arts Alive Column 
is sponsored by 

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Local Lodging

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​Click here and scroll down to read archived Arts Alive columns  

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"Every year we are astounded by the outpouring of interesting and talented artists. We want the community to know them and their artistic processes, while fostering relationships between the people and businesses here," said Martha Whitney Butler, Arts President. ​

An ever-evolving event, the organizers are promising to continue "Celebrating Art, Engaging Communities, Enriching Lives."

The format of ArtsAlive! is tailored to Old Town, the heart of the well-known Bay St. Louis arts community that’s filled with more than 70 galleries, shops and restaurants. The beachfront downtown area is made for walking and there is convenient parking nearby in the municipal garage on Court Street. First-time visitors will quickly see why Bay St. Louis has landed on so many lists for visitors.

ArtsAlive! consists of showcases for artists and artisans, filmmakers and songwriters and contests with cash prizes for writers, singer-songwriters and amateur chefs.

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Artist and Artisan Showcase:
Regional artists and artisans will be found throughout the historic downtown district at host locations, demonstrating and discussing their work as well as selling it.  
 
Apply to the Artist Showcase or the Artisan Showcase on The Arts website. 

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Songwriters’ Showcase: 
 
Popular local musicians Rochelle Harper and Boz, who have played for audiences around the world, will be judging the contest, which is produced by the Mockingbird Cafe (110 South Second Street) in partnership with The Arts, Hancock County.
 
The public is invited to live performances by contest semi-finalists beginning at 3 p.m. Winners will be announced 15 minutes after the last finalist performs. The top three winners will take home cash prizes of $150, $75 and $50.

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Flash Fiction Contest: 
The topic will be revealed to entrants at 10 a.m. at Bay Books (131 Main St.) and they have until 1 p.m. to turn in their 400 word (or less) pieces.  Writers will read their own entries aloud to an audience and be judged between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., when cash prizes will be awarded.

​Short Film Showcase:
New this year is a short film category, featuring works by local filmmakers. The films will close out the evening.

Winners of the Flash Fiction contest with author Rheta Grimsley Johnson (2nd from left), who judged.

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Culinary Showcase: 
 
Three chef judges will pick the top three entries of amateur chefs in a Serious Salsa Down South competition hosted by Serious Bread (131 Main St. Suite D) in partnership with The Arts, Hancock County!
 
Entries will be judged on taste as well as presentation and originality. After the judging, 50 members of the public selected on a first come, first serve basis will sample the entries and select one as the People's Choice winner.

Judging of the 2016 Culinary Showcase

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​In conjunction with ArtsAlive! there will be a juried show reception March 17 for members and patron of The Arts, Hancock County, and the Pass Christian Art Association upstairs at 200 North Beach Restaurant. Pieces will be on display until the end of the month. 
 
The goal continues to be showcasing and promoting the best of the arts. With the support of ArtsAlive! sponsors and other partners, members of The Arts, Hancock County are fostering the next generation of artists and encouraging more interest in art through their activities.