Two artists with a proven track record of helping revitalize New Orleans neighborhoods through arts centers they've created may soon be moving to Waveland.
- story by Ellis Anderson
Waveland Mayor Mike Smith says that he’s visited Studio Arabi twice and both times was “amazed” by what he saw.
“They [the Gaudets] have their own studios, but they also lease out spaces to other artists,” said Smith. “I can see how what they’ve done has revitalized the community there. They’re proposing doing the same thing in Waveland. I’m really excited about the possibilities.” Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke agrees. “Coleman Avenue has never really come back after Katrina,” Burke said. “This could breathe new life into Waveland. It’s the outside-the-box project that we’ve been looking for.” The building under consideration was completed as the Waveland Business Center in 2012. The 10,000-square-foot facility has a striking contemporary design (by Bay St. Louis firm, unabridged Architecture). Although a few tenants have come and gone and three businesses currently lease small sections of the building, Mayor Smith says that for the most part, the business incubator has not been utilized as was originally hoped.
Earlier this fall, Waveland published calls for proposals to lease the entire facility. The Gaudets, who have been scouting out Waveland for some time as a possible location for their next project, thought the Coleman Avenue building met all the requirements for another thriving arts center. They submitted a bid. It turned out to be the only one.
But Mayor Smith is not disappointed. “My expectations are high for this particular proposal.” Smith says that he hopes the bid will be formally accepted at the first Alderman’s meeting in December (December 5th). Then negotiations will be entered into for the lease, which could be finalized later in the month. All parties stated that they hoped the Gaudets – under their Studio Waveland, LLC - would have possession of the building by the first of January 2018. “The minute we sign the lease, my wife is packing the truck and moving her studio over,” said Mitchell Gaudet. “Or rather I’ll be packing the truck and she’ll be telling me what to pack.”
“We envision a quick build-out and then beginning our programming in March or April. We’re already arguing over what the theme of the first art show will be,” he said, laughing.
“We see this also as a place where the public can interact with workshops and classes and lectures and art openings, with a cool gallery space. Nothing hoity-toity.” Since the city built the incubator in partnership with other government entities, they won’t own the building in entirety for another year. According to Mayor Smith, that necessitates a one-year lease at this time. The Gaudets are hoping that after the initial year, they’ll be able to secure a longer lease that would warrant the $120,000 investment required by the Gaudets to build-out and equip the building for Mitchell’s glass-making. “Erica will move her studio over this first year,” said Gaudet. “And then we’ll move over full time… If we can really crush it that first year, we can create more live-work spaces in the area. It could be huge. We’re really excited.” Gaudet says that the New Orleans art community is buzzing as well. Bay St. Louis is already seen as a popular arts center and the Waveland facility would add to Hancock County’s reputation as an arts destination. The Gaudets have already driven artist friends over for tours. Gaudet points out that New Orleans and the Bay-Waveland area are “sister cities of sorts,” so many people in the city already have familiarity – and fondness – for the area. “There are still a few hurdles ahead, but they’re getting smaller,” said Gaudet. “We’ll do whatever it takes. I’m already growing a beard and mustache to look more like George Ohr.”
Meet Mitchell Gaudet
Mitchell Gaudet from Jeremiah Fry on Vimeo.
Talk of the Town - November 2017
Artists are the backbone of our community - bringing vitality to our economy, improving our quality of life and attracting visitors, new residents and businesses. Find out what you can do to support the artists who keep on giving!
- story and photos by Ellis Anderson
Art events throughout the year build the sense of community, as well as boosting the local economy. There’s the annual Arts Alive!, Frida Fest (celebrating the birthday of artist Frida Kahlo) and the Mermaid’s Arts & Crafts show. The monthly Second Saturday Artwalk (a veteran event that’s more than 25 years old!) pulls a lion’s share of weight for community enhancement and prosperity. New events like the Downhome Blues Music Series work double-duty too, entertaining locals, as well as building our reputation as a desirable place to live and do business. The Bay is a shining example of Mississippi's creative economy.
Incredibly, not a dime of local taxpayer money is budgeted by local governments for producing or promoting any of the arts events listed above (although they may help out with extra patrols, etc.). These events are self-supporting and self-funding for the most part, with Hancock Tourism lending a hand when they have available grant funding.
These events occur only because of local organizations, like The Arts, Hancock County, the Old Town Merchants Association and the Alice and Tim Moseley Foundation and dozens of artist volunteers and generous merchants, who donate time and money and a creative can-do spirit (to name only a few - Smith & Lens Gallery, the Mockingbird Café, The French Potager, Gallery 220 and Bay Life). So how can you help support this self-sufficient cultural community that uplifts our lives and generates enormous economic benefits for us all? Easy.
1. Join in and roll up your sleeves. You don’t have to be an artist or a merchant – just an appreciator of all these organizations do. Volunteer to help. If you're more a left-brain type, these groups always need help with things like clerical work, delivery, event staffing. You can also purchase a membership or simply donate. They’re all 501c3s, so donations are tax-deductible.
2. Spread the word. Social media sites like Facebook and Instagram make it simple to share news about our artists and local events with friends and business customers.
“Liking” or "loving" an arts-related post helps, while taking a moment to "share" with a brief introductory comment really has a long reach. On social media, comments are king. You’ll have more impact than you could imagine. On Facebook, follow:
3. Buy Art. Take "shopping local" one step further by buying a painting, a photograph or a piece of pottery from a neighborhood artist or one of the galleries/shops in Old Town that make Bay St. Louis the place you’re proud to call home.
Have a loved one with a creative hankering? You can even purchase gift certificates for lessons with local artists (see our list at the end of this story!). Below are art-related holiday happenings – we’ll be adding to it throughout the season. You can also check in at our Community Calendar or our Upcoming Events page at any time.
Holiday Second Saturday Artwalks
November 11 & December 9 Things are lively all day, but really gear up between 4pm - 8pm During the Second Saturday Artwalk each month in Old Town Bay St. Louis, you'll find cool deals, fresh meals and lots of art and live music. It's the way we throw a family-friendly party here in the Bay and you're invited! The holiday ones are especially fun, so invite your friends and family from across the coast and beyond.
Bay Artist's Co-op 22nd Annual Open Studio and Sale
November 18 - 19 Saturday, 10am - 4pm, - Sunday, 11am - 3pm 415 S. Necaise Ave. Bay St. Louis This working art studio cleans up for the annual Open House held the weekend before Thanksgiving. Artists in Clay : Regan Carney, Gayle Andersson, Mark Buszkiewicz, Nina Cork, Jeanne Richardson. Painters: Janet Densmore and Jerome Anderson. Photography: Per-Owe Andersson. Vintage Jewelry: Iris Naomi. Handmade books, collage: Noni Johns. Mosaics: Jo Slay. Live Music by "Ivory Bill," featuring Billy Ray Hammond and David Sallis playing blues and ballads. Entirely undercover, so "rain or shine". Wheel chair accessible. Art demonstrations.
4th Annual Waveland Christmas Bazaar
November 17-18 335 Coleman Avenue, Waveland, MS Friday, 10 am – 7 pm Saturday, 9 am – 4 pm Saturday 8am - Pancake Breakfast With Santa Shop for great Christmas gifts, clothing, jewelry, and home decor items. Find the event on Facebook: Ground Zero Hurricane Museum Clu1964@gmail.com
Thanksgiving Weekend in Old Town
Friday & Saturday Really. Forget the mall scene. Spend Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday meandering through the locally owned shops and dining in one of our indie eateries. Walk along the seawall, or along the piers. No parking hassles, no long lines, no pushy crowds. You'll be glad you did your holiday shopping the BSL way. On Friday evening, there's the Second Street Art Trifecta:
On Saturday celebrate all day in Old Town in conjunction with Shop Local movements across America!
Walk in the Woods Art Event and Sale
December 2 Saturday 10 am to 4pm 228.255.4019 22591 Rue La Terre Kiln, MS rain or shine A short walk from parking to Fine Art, Fine Craft, demonstrations and refreshments. Located under the pavilion on the beautiful wooded property of La Terre in Kiln. Working in clay are Gayle Andersson, Regan Carney, Mark Buszkiewicz, Danielle Inabinet Runnels and Margaret Inabinet. Weaving - James Inabinet. Photography - Per-Owe Andersson. Multiple Media - Janelle Alys Mullen. Gourmet Soaps - Greg. Cookies - Kathleen Painting - Chloe Harville. Hand-sewn items - Patty Lockleer.
Holiday Bazaar at the Bay Waveland Yacht Club
December 1 & 2 Friday, 10am - 6pm, Saturday 10am - 2pm Bay Waveland Yacht Club 666 N. Beach Blvd. Several local artists usually sell at this annual show, when the membership only Bay-Waveland Yacht Club is open to the public for the event. Great views, wonderful hometown holiday feel. www.bwyc.org (228) 467-4592
The BSL Creative Arts Center Annual Holiday Show and Sale
December 9 - 10 Saturday, 10am - 8pm, Sunday Noon to 6pm 101 Central Ave. Bay St. Louis Starting at 8pm they'll have a studio party with refreshments, live entertainment and dancing. Be prepared for artistic revelry!
Give Art Lessons!
The Shoofly Magazine has put together an entire roster of local artists who give group and private lessons - in everything from pottery to painting.
The ones below can arrange for gift certificates too - so you can give your loved one an opportunity to unleash their more creative side! See our Art Teachers page for more information about these incredible local artists!
The Pottery Studio at the BSL Creative Arts Center offers gift certificates for the holidays. Instruction is offered in wheel throwing, hand-building and sculpture. Gift certificates are available for single classes and five-class punch cards. For adults, a single class card is $25 and the five-class punch card is $100. For kids under 16, a single class card is $15 and a five-class punch card is $60. For the month of November, all five-class punch card are discounted $10 in celebration of the holidays. (Adults $90, Kids $50 ).
Class cards can be used to drop-in during scheduled class times or by appointment any time during our open studio hours, with flexibility to fit any schedule. For more info visit the BSL Creative Arts Center Facebook page or call 228-342-7668.
Master potter Regan Carney gives her pottery classes in a series of five. Gift certificates are available for a single class, or the entire series. Regan has printed gift certificates available - just call her at 228. 216.0210.
Mosaic artist Joanna Slay gives private lessons in her Biloxi studio. Or sign up for a workshop scheduled in March, July or October of 2018 at Clay Creations (220 Main Street) in Bay St. Louis. Gift Certificates are available for the workshops ($95) or private lessons ($75 for 3 hours). Please visit www.joslay.com or call 228-217-9212 for additional information.
Dale Pohl: For gift certificates, holiday workshops for kids and adults, Grandkids Art Parties, Girls Night Out, Birthday Parties, Bridal and Baby Showers, and weekly children's classes, contact Dale Pohl (mother bird!) at 228-671-9123, or kdpohl@bellsouth.net. Relax, enjoy yourself, and Make Art!, in a quaint, historic building. 102 Blaize Avenue, BSL. (by the Duck Pond!)
Potter/sculptor Nina Cork is teaching short two-hour workshops by request. $50 per person, two people minimum per workshop (a perfect BFF gift!). Gift certificates are available. Contact Nina at (630) 918.1339 or ninamcork@gmail.com
Encaustic artist Kat Fitzpatrick offers two types of classes. The first is a three-hour introduction to encaustic collage is available to you and 3 friends (may include wine byob). $65/person, all materials included. There's also a two-day workshop at Katfish Studio in Bay St. Louis (4 people required) $300 per person/all materials supplied. Contact her to arrange for gift certificates at katfitzpatrick@bellsouth.net
Chloe Harville offers gift certificates for belly dance classes, in any amount. People can email her for details at me@tabernabsl.com or they can call or text: 228-671-1656.
Arts Alive! Oct/Nov 2017
Creating portraits by embroidering can take up to a year to complete a single piece, but as she works, Ruth Miller is redefining tapestry - one thread at a time.
- story by LB Kovac, photos courtesy Ruth Miller
But they aren’t stately. By choosing domestic scenes and incorporating elements of African art, Miller is redefining tapestry, one thread at a time.
Ruth Miller herself is an unexpectedly quiet woman. On the phone, she has a sweet voice. She’s easy to talk to and laughs a lot. I imagine her smiling all the time. At home in her studio she says, when she’s working on a piece, she listens to audio books. “I need my mind to wander in two different directions when I’m working,” she says. “But it’s like driving—you get to a point where you don’t remember that you’re going somewhere, and then you’re there.”
But Miller didn’t learn embroidery there. She learned it where most girls of her era did: at home, from her female relatives, especially her mother and her aunt. “It was the end of those times where kids were universally taught sewing and embroidery.”
She recalls riding the subway to school and someone crocheting in a seat next to her. It would be an odd scene today, with ready-made textiles being so readily available, and so few people attempting such time-consuming art forms.
Miller says that she was inspired to think of embroidery as an art form by a Senegalese weaver. He produced tapestries that included abstracted and figurative art.
“I didn’t warm to paint at school, but I liked the cleanliness of textile art.” This weaver had a big impact on how she saw her own art. “He influenced my early attempts at style.” This is evident in pieces like “The Evocation and Capture of Aphrodite,” where a pattern that starts in background drapes before covering the back of the young girl’s shirt, or “Our Lady of Unassailable Well-being,” in which a smiling woman’s face is framed by a colorful pattern. For much of her life, Miller lived in the northern states, but she recently moved to Mississippi for two reasons: “I was looking for a place and time to make art,” and “I was looking forward to getting to know my family.” Miller’s mother was born in Meridian, and she herself had lived here once in the 1970s, before going back to New York. In a studio in an unincorporated area of Hancock County, Miller makes her art. The change of pace from fast, breath-taking New York to easy-going rural Mississippi no-doubt contributes to her art.
Miller’s works do have one major thing in common with Romanesque tapestries: time. Art historians estimate that the Bayeux Tapestry took ten years to produce.
Miller’s pieces don’t take quite that long, but she does profess that the average piece takes 9 months to produce, and she spends as long as a year and a half on the larger ones. That’s with a schedule of sewing about five hours a day, five days a week. “If I thought about how long it would take, I probably wouldn’t do it,” she says. “It’s like doing a puzzle; you don’t think about how long it will take you. You just think about the thrill of the search.” It’s a much longer “search” than the average artist in other art forms—painting, drawing or writing. Because every tapestry takes such a long time to make, subjects take on a focused air. The artist was committed, for quite a length of time, to capturing a moment. In the Bayeux Tapestry, it’s the Battle of Hastings, a moment important to the Norman Conquest of England. It’s the moment when the English monarchy, still intact today, began. It’s easy for us to see why the artist wanted to share that moment with generations to come. What makes Miller’s works all-the-more interesting are her subjects. She doesn’t embroider battles or knights or princesses. She focuses on people. People combing hair, people talking on the phone, people glancing at something outside of frame. Miller says, “I thought about my own interior life… I’m addressing it for myself, and it happens universally.”
She finds inspiration in a young girl capturing a photo, a woman drinking tea, a laugh, a smile. These simple gestures take on a grand importance, a gravity even, that just isn’t tangible in a painting or a sketch. The works feel much more intentional, much more purposeful, if only because we realize how much time the artist spent making them.
Miller’s thread art has a pulse. Skin tones take on a feathery quality, making the subjects feel alive. In pieces like “The Impossible Dream is the Gateway to Self-Love,” where Miller has to carefully choose where each color goes, you can be surprised what colors jump out. She works from a palette that numbers in the thousands of hues. It makes them feel alive. In amongst the chocolates and charcoals and beiges, there might be a stray blue thread. They have a soul. The constraints of embroidery mean that Miller will never be as prolific as Picasso, but that doesn’t matter to her. Her art is simply a way of sharing her views with the world. “I want people to see that art is a way to life itself… Whatever grabs you about a singer, they’re making their heart visible to you.” Ruth Miller’s works hang in private collections and museums across the United States. You can find one of her pieces, "The Path to Enlightenment" on display at the Smith & Lens Gallery through October 22, 2017. Jaimee Dorris
Get to know the very savvy businesswoman behind the glitter, the tutus, and the multiple tiaras - a design diva who never stops evolving.
- story by Trish McAlvain
Most know her as the hostess of her own series, the internet sensation “MS Congeniality.” Jaimee started “MS Congeniality” with a mission to defy the image of the typical Mississippian. Every Wednesday another webisode is released. It is a fresh, spunky spin of life in the state, always filmed live with Jaimee interviewing fascinating people living and doing cool things.
In 2017, Mississippi celebrates 200 years of statehood. Jaimee is the face of "Miss Issippi" as Mississippi Bicentennial Hostess. Miss Issippi was a character drawn up in 1917 to represent Mississippi during the state's 100th birthday celebration. Although the centennial festivities were ultimately canceled because of the First World War, Miss Issippi still paraded around the state in costume.
When state bicentennial historians gathered to speak of the mascot chosen 100 years ago, it was decided to have an updated version. Who better to fill those shoes than MS Congeniality? Everyone agreed that Jaimee was the perfect choice. Jaimee hopes to always be completely approachable to the public in her role as Miss Issippi. "Ask me anything, I'll tell the truth. I hope I don't intimidate you.
She comes by her titles naturally. Jaimee was born in Bay St. Louis to Dottie and Daniel Goad, who are celebrating 43 years of marriage and who still reside on the coast. Her mother has always been a stay-at-home mom, while her father is a NASA rocket scientist. When she was young, Daniel instilled the importance of education when he would often stay up late teaching her chemistry and physics.
Dottie’s love of painting brought the artsy side to the mix. This mixture of science and art makes Jaimee a one-of-a-kind artist with an analytical style of thinking. She says she uses her brain to make decisions, not her heart. Jaimee spent two years studying organic chemistry in college and made straight A's. However, she was never concerned with exact numbers enough to see this being her profession. She was the student who was a little too theatrical during class and had thoughts of something else in her future. Her sister Michelle lives in Hawaii. She is Jaimee's best friend, and is a graphic designer and a wonderful belly dancer. Brother Gary Goad is a well-known local electrician here on the Gulf Coast.
As part of the graduating class of 1999 at Long Beach High School, Jaimee always enjoyed seeking the spotlight, first as a cheerleader and a singer. As a high school participant in the international exchange program in 1998, she traveled to Brazil. All she learned abroad helped to broaden her dynamics. Jaimee says, “In spirit, everyone knew me as Miss Brazil."
Jaimee has drawn strength from her husband Joel who has helped her appreciate the "typical Mississippian." Joel helped her to see that "we judge ourselves on how others judge us," she says. This Hancock county couple lives by the simple belief that it is most important to pride ourselves on our strengths. "He is a fishing bayou rat," says Jaimee when she speaks fondly of her husband. “It took me 30 years to appreciate the ‘good ol' boy’-style man. Learning that who cares what people think? It's about how you feel." "Joel knows how to treat me; he is a Southern gentleman, a provider for his family; he hustles as a businessman, and is an overall hard worker with strengths of the manly Mississippi man.” This is symbolic to Jaimee and instills state pride in her adventures and portrayal as Miss Issippi and MS Congeniality.
This busy couple are both in their thirties and are successful local business owners. Jaimee is celebrating a 10-year anniversary of Jaimee Designs Web Studio, located in Bay St. Louis. Joel has over 13 years invested in his local commercial and residential electrician business as contractor/owner of Dorris Electric Services of Bay St Louis.
Jaimee has been a member of the Rotary Club since 2013. She enjoyed helping fellow Rotarians to get the International Youth Exchange off the ground for Hancock County. Jaimee is fond of the program, knowing the attributes it created in her own experiences as an exchange student. "I work for myself to give time for a clean, peaceful overall feeling for my family." Joel and Jaimee Dorris are celebrating their three-year wedding anniversary. They stay active with five children, ranging from ages 10 to 21 with Joel's kids from a previous marriage and Jaimee's biological son Micah (who can be spotted as boom mic operator and assistant in “MS Congeniality”).
"I want to be that 90-year-old lady who is comfortable with me—always subject to change, to be even more fabulous!" Constant change is a significant happening within Jaimee's life. "One day I'm eating meat; then one day I'm a vegetarian. That adds to my art element." This year she is excited to see a major transition bridging the family businesses together.
Jaimee is eager to share and lives by her own advice. "Each person's mission is different than everyone else. Inspired ideas are most important. The thing is to listen to your intuition. Oftentimes you must find your own way by listening to yourself. "Everyone has their own path. Get to know yourself, what you do well. Sometimes, it is something special. Always trust who you are, naturally." Playing Favorites
Brice Phillips, founder, owner, engineer, station manager, DJ and talk show host at WQRZ 103.5 FM rules the airwaves in Hancock County by merging two passions: communications and community service.
- story and photos by Tricia Donham McAlvain
Listen to WQRZ 103.5 FM anywhere in the country with Tune-In - a free service that doesn't require registration.
And check out the premier "On the Shoofly" radio hour by clicking here. Listen for "On the Shoofly" on the first Wednesday of any month, 11am!
Since Chinese television stations were the only ones available when Brice was growing up in Taiwan, he turned to radio for entertainment, tuning in English-speaking stations from around the world.
As a boy, he was also a frequent visitor at the MARS (Military Auxiliary Radio System) base of operations in Taiwan. At the time, MARS allowed service personnel to connect internationally with family and other service people. At MARS, he learned the inner workings of radio and its power to facilitate communication — especially in emergency situations. Brice also credits his mother for instilling a never-say-die determination. "When you have a sense of accomplishment, you can't stop trying. Mother said never quit. ... One day, you will succeed.” His mother’s advice proved to be true. Today, Brice Phillips is president of Hancock County Amateur Radio Association, Inc. (HCARA). The 501c3 non-profit organization runs both WQRZ (serving Bay St. Louis, Waveland, Diamondhead, and Kiln) and the “station-in-progress,” WQRG, which will serve the wider Diamondhead area. Due to his extraordinary community contributions during and after Hurricane Katrina, in 2006 Brice was awarded the Small Business Administration’s Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery by a Volunteer. That same year, he also garnered the Mississippi Governor’s Award for Volunteer Excellence. Brice has called Bay St Louis home for more than 26 years, moving to the coast from Slidell. Former Bay St. Louis mayor Les Fillingame contracted with him as a bench technician to repair VCRs, radios and other electronics. His first job at a local radio station was with WBSL AM in Bay St Louis. When Brice was hired, WBSL was off the air because of a broken transmitter. After repairing the transmitter, he moved on to a popular coast rock station. Working late nights on weekends as a DJ gave him on-air experience - until he violated protocol by playing a song not on the playlist. That experience merely reinforced Brice’s belief in freedom of speech. Determined to launch his own radio station, Brice’s father cosigned a loan for his first transmitter. It became the workhorse for WQRZ 103.5 FM. In the early days, the transmitter was powered by solar panels. After Hurricane Katrina, Brice used car batteries to keep it going so he could inform his desperate listeners during the storm and in the long aftermath. Deciding to stay on the air during Katrina reflects Brice’s dedication and his first-hand knowledge of how important communications can be during severe weather. During the storm, WQRZ was only off-air for 90 minutes while Brice was fighting the hurricane to swap out antennas during the unprecedented tidal surge. He was one of 35 early responders who had gathered at the emergency operations center in Bay St. Louis. When the water in the building started rising, the situation looked so dire that the rescue workers wrote their assigned numbers on their own hands to make identification easier for compatriots in case they drowned. He hasn’t missed a beat since the storm. The station has been on the air 24/7 ever since. Internet streaming allows listeners around the world to tune in. (Click here to stream from "Tune In," a free site that doesn't require to sign up). WQRZ offers programming about gardening, politics, and community news. Every weekday, during the two-hour Morning Show, Brice and his volunteers read news from the local papers, connecting with residents who may be disabled or economically challenged, and with those who just like to hear neighborly voices. The music playlist varies with the day of the week. There’s Local Monday, for instance, when area musicians and singer-songwriters are featured. Blues Tuesday, Free Speech and World Wednesday (keeping listeners abreast of local civic meetings), Jazz Thursday and Rock-n-Roll Friday keep listeners entertained through the week. Music from the ’70s and dance music are Saturday favorites, while Sunday is “Album Therapy,” starting with gospel, moving on to albums and ending with relaxing new age music: “The floaty stuff,” Brice says.
"Brice amazes me every day,” says Jennifer Sones, WQRZ volunteer of seven years. “He can take something that is nothing and build anything.”
Lynn Smith, a WQRZ volunteer of five years, explains the general philosophy. "The station maintains the ability to play anything possible, including 8-tracks, reels, cassettes, and vinyl. We have no rules other than those of the FCC. We also hold a ham radio license for official communications.” "People are lost without communication,” Brice says. “Information is the key that binds our community together. I’ll do this for the rest of my life.” “Rock on, dudes!” Making Marks
Acclaimed fiber artist Kerr Grabowski has made her mark on the national art scene, but she's now blazing new trails here in Bay St. Louis.
- story and photos by Ellis Anderson
For most of this stellar career, Kerr created wearable art — painting, printing and dyeing fabric that was then used to construct high fashion, one-of-a-kind garments. Kerr’s show-stopping silk kimonos might retail for thousands of dollars in a metropolitan gallery. Since the pieces were naturally limited in production, they became highly sought after by serious fashionistas.
Kerr started making her marks early, in Jasper, Alabama, in the hill country north of Birmingham. Recognizing her talent early on, her parents signed her up for art classes. But in a bizarre effort to impress Kerr’s parents and keep the lessons going, the art teacher would paint over each of Kerr’s works. The experience almost turned Kerr against art altogether.
The family moved to Gulfport, where Kerr continued pursuing that eloquent line in high school. After graduation, her parents convinced her that making a living with art was unrealistic, so she headed off to college majoring in chemistry and biology, first at Mississippi University for Women, and then Mississippi State. Leaving school to become a wife and mother, Kerr began painting children’s furniture and purses. Her success convinced her to return to college, this time for art. After she obtained her degree from Delta State, the young family moved back to the coast. Kerr began drawing late at night, then focusing on batik, an ancient method of using wax and dye to produce designs on cloth.
Divorcing when her daughter, Crawford, was six, Kerr had $200 in the bank when she decided to start selling her work at craft shows to pay the bills. She traveled to regional shows in a 1958 VW van that could “only go for about four hours without breaking down.” When Crawford had sleepovers, Kerr would enlist (and pay) the children to help iron and sew.
The business grew, and so did Kerr’s skills. With a more reliable vehicle, she was able to show at crafts venues in the northeast. It turned out to be an enormous asset that she’d been working on the Mississippi coast, where fiber artists who might have influenced her work were rare. In the Northeast, where fine crafts were sought after and revered, Kerr realized that her work and the some of the techniques she’d developed were unique. Kerr hired assistants and purchased a studio in Pass Christian. By the mid-’80s, she’d become a shoo-in for highly competitive shows featuring the top craftspeople in the country, like the Smithsonian. Gallery owners across the country snapped up her work. She’d been considering moving to the Northeast when she was offered a position as head of the fiber program at the prestigious Peter’s Valley Crafts Center on the Delaware River in New Jersey. “I felt immediately at home in those woods,” she says. “The rock formations and the forests seemed just like the ones I’d loved as a child in Huntsville. It turns out they’re both bookends of the Appalachian Mountains. The job was for three years. I stayed for nine. I did a lot of adjunct teaching in the surrounding universities during that time.” In the mid-’90s she purchased a derelict historic building in downtown Sussex, New Jersey, 60 miles from New York City. She rehabbed the bottom floor, and it served as her gallery, studio and living space. She continued teaching, extending her range exponentially in 2007 when she made a DVD demonstrating her signature deconstructed screen-printing technique. The DVD sold internationally, and the invitations to teach outside the country began arriving regularly.
But her granddaughter was born in Jackson, Mississippi that same year, and Kerr began to feel the tug to return to the South. Artist friends, including Vicki Niolet, Kat Fitzpatrick, J.J. Foley, John McKellar, and Bill Myers, all urged her to move back.
In 2010, she found the perfect house on Keller Street in Bay St. Louis. With an original historic cottage and a small contemporary guesthouse, it provided ample space for both home and studio. The guesthouse had been renovated, but the restoration of the 1920s cottage had stopped mid-stream. After its purchase, she flew back and forth to supervise the construction. When it was completed in 2011, Kerr moved to Bay St. Louis full time. “I love the vibe here,” she says. “I can sit on my porch, or walk over to the Mockingbird [Café] and meet friends and have coffee. There’s a wonderful energy in this town. And the arts scene across the whole Mississippi coast is really taking off.” Soon, locals interested in learning from Kerr won’t have to fly to Australia to take one of her classes. She’ll be offering instruction at the new Bay Creative Arts Center later this year. “There’s a supportive group of very talented people making art here, out of the love of making. The show at Smith & Lens really made me feel like I’m a part of that community.“ Art Adventures in the Bay
Bay St. Louis teaching artists are part of a growing trend called "experience vacations" - where visitors take home new skills along with fun coastal memories.
- story by Lisa Monti
The Shoofly's Art Teachers page is now a permanent community resource, so share with friends and visitors! You'll find it under our "Local Info" menu (at the top of every page).
The Bay St. Louis Creative Arts Center
The 7,500-square-foot facility at the corner of Washington Street and Central Avenue, houses a state-of-the-art pottery studio with eight wheels, multiple electric and Raku kilns and handbuilding equipment. There’s also a yoga/dance studio, metalworking shop and multimedia maker space.
Steve Barney, the CAC’s director, has ambitious plans to make it a destination for snowbird artists. “There is a large demographic of semi-retired professionals in colder climates who are avid artists and are looking for opportunities to combine studio time with a mid-winter coastal retreat,” he said. Barney is teaming up with Kevin Jordan, owner of Gulf View properties, to offer all-inclusive two- and four-week artisan retreat packages. Guests will be housed in Jordan’s guesthouses, studios and vacation homes within a block or two from the CAC.
“We will pick them up at the airport and provide them with everything they need to be a Bay artist in residence at the CAC,” Barney said. A typical day includes morning yoga, studio instruction, a midday group meal and open studio.
In addition to pottery and metalworking classes, artists can explore other mediums such as stained glass and silkscreening. Local transportation options include a shared golf cart and fleet of beach cruiser bikes. Weekend excursions into New Orleans and other coastal destinations are planned. The first artisan retreat package is scheduled for January 13–February 17, 2018. “Interest in our artisan retreat programs has been strong and we expect this program to grow slowly over time as word gets out,” Barney said. For those not requiring accommodations or are interested in special arrangements, the CAC offers customized packages to visiting artists. To book a spot in the 2018 retreat or for other information about CAC programs, email Steve Barney sbarney@gmail.com or call/text 228-342-7668. Regan Carney
Regan Carney is an acclaimed potter who produces functional fine art in clay in her studio in the Bay Artists’ Coop at 415 S. Necaise Avenue. She received a BFA in 1980 from Tulane University and has made and shown clay art in Santa Fe, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Biloxi, Ocean Springs and Bay St. Louis.
Her work is widely featured, including locally in Gallery 220 and the Lawson Studio. Carney teaches beginner through master level classes at the coop. “I am happy to teach any level in general or specific techniques. I teach both throwing on the wheel or handbuilding functional ware or sculptural forms. Usually throwing takes the most amount of time,” she said. To make the experience the best it can be, Carney requires at least three weeks’ lead time to set up a private workshop for one up to six students. “I need to know the level of expertise, if there is any, and if there is to be a focus. I also need to know how long they are going to be in the area and how much of that time do they want to spend in the studio,” said Carney. Her workshops have been two days to six weeks. “Communication is key with this kind of workshop,” she said. For more information, call 228-216-0210. Nina Cork
Janet Densmore
Chloé Harville
Kat Fitzpatrick
Dale Pohl
To take a peek at the variety of creations hatching at 102 Blaize Avenue (across from the Duck Pond), visit the Facebook page for The Nest – A Comfy Place to Create.
Karen Anne Renz
Joanna Slay
Short Films Alive!
Bay High’s Digital Media program has young directors putting their work into the public eye.
– Karen Fineran
On screen, the saloon door suddenly slams open, and a mysterious miner dressed in black shambles in from the cold. After shooting back a drink and buying a round for the crowd, the stranger ambles to the piano and begins playing a curiously plaintive tune.
Lady Lou and her lover (who we learn from the narration is Dangerous Dan McGrew) are scrutinizing the newcomer. The curiosity of the audience grows as Dan’s face freezes. The stranger stops playing, pronouncing loudly that “one of you is a hound of hell . . . and that one is Dan McGrew.” The lights blink out; gunshots erupt. The setting for this film was not a local movie theater, but the familiar Mockingbird Café in downtown Bay St. Louis. The event was the first short film showcase to be featured as part of Hancock County’s Arts Alive Festival, held this year on March 18. The film was The Shooting of Dan McGrew, an interpretation of the famous 1907 narrative poem of the same name by Canadian poet Robert Service. Dan McGrew was just one of 11 short films that were submitted by students from area schools, including Bay High’s Digital Media program, and screened at the Mockingbird as part of this year’s Arts Alive. Dan McGrew was a big hit with the audience, who particularly enjoyed the twist ending that startled them after the closing credits.
The Shooting of Dan McGrew is the “baby” of Bay High sophomore Cameron Adams, who edited, acted, and directed with co-director Quinn Radler.
Cameron explains the genesis of Dan McGrew: “In my English class, we were given the assignment to create a visual interpretation of one of the poems in our textbook. It was easy to see, after flipping through the poems that we had to choose from, that Dan McGrew would be fun to make, and easy to visualize on film. "We shot it in about five hours at my parents’ empty house that we had just moved from.” Cameron has been making movies since elementary school. He plans to apply to colleges with film schools and possibly to attend film summer camp this summer. Other short films screened that night, all under eight minutes, including several intimate looks at grief, loss, and learning experienced by teens, as well as some lighthearted comedies, including a horror parody stop-motion animated Legos short by Landon Brady and Aidan Pohl, depicting a “Horrorible Love.” Other Bay High students who contributed films to Arts Alive this year included Grace Powell, Corey Jennings, Alyssa Juge, and Seth Denison.
Short films make up a unique medium that lends itself neatly to artistic experimentation by emerging filmmakers who don’t have to spend the small fortune it would take to make a full-length feature film.
Audiences appreciate short-form films; it’s much easier to ask people to watch a five-minute short film than a feature-length one — especially if it comes across your Facebook feed, and then you end up watching it on your iPhone. “This year, the short film showcase for Arts Alive was really all just pulled together at the last minute, but then we had such an amazing response to it!” says Martha Whitney Butler, President of the Arts, Hancock County. “First, I came across Dan McGrew and other Bay High short films, and at the last minute, there was even a student from the University from Pennsylvania in the audience who asked me if we could add his film to the lineup, and we were able to do it! The audience was blown away!” Butler is thrilled that the Beacon Theater in Waveland is now in discussions with Hancock Arts to show student films before their feature movies, and perhaps to hold a Student Film Screening Night.
Butler hopes to hold a short film contest next year in addition to a film showcase, and to find local sponsors to give awards. In addition to asking schools to find talented young filmmakers, she also hopes to find more established emerging filmmakers who wish to participate in the showcase and the contest.
“I believe that this might have been our most successful Arts Alive event ever, and we definitely plan to hold it next year!” she enthused. Bay High Digital Media Technologies teacher Tarah Herbert loves working with the budding student filmmakers. She is especially enthusiastic that, this month, Bay High is submitting several short films, including Dan McGrew, to the Mississippi High School Film Competition, part of the Tupelo Film Festival, established in 2004. Bay High Digital Media Technologies teacher Tarah Herbert loves working with the budding student filmmakers. She is thrilled that, earlier this month, after Bay High submitted several of its short films to the Mississippi High School Film Competition, which is part of the Tupelo Film Festival, her Bay High students cleanly swept the top awards at the competition! Bay High senior Landon Brady took the top prize, winning a partial scholarship to an esteemed arts school in Nashville, Tennessee, as well as $650 cash. His film “Mismo” (the Spanish word for “the same”) is the story of a young man who awakens in the woods after a bout of drinking, confused about how he got there. A woman in white leads him through a dreamlike journey of his memories until he reaches the realization of why he is there. Landon, who is starting at Mississippi State University this fall, explained that although his video started off as a school project, now that he has completed several short videos, digital media has become a true passion. Though MSU does not have a film program, Landon feels that he learned the basics from Bay High’s Digital Media program, so that he can continue pursuing this interest on his own. Cameron Adam’s “Shooting of Dan McGrew” won second place and “Audience Favorite,” winning $600 that Cameron hopes to be able to use toward a film camp or program. And Bay High junior Grace Powell took the third place trophy, and a $150 prize, with her film “Perceive,” her luminous observation of the surrealistic experience of “lucid dreaming.” Both “Mismo” and “Percieve” were shot in familiar settings in Bay St. Louis, though they are altered by the student’s ethereal visions. “It’s such amazing luck that we won all three top prizes given by the film festival!” Hebert enthused. “The kids deserved it – they worked so hard. These kids are amazing. They are so excited right now!” The Tupelo Film Festival competition this year was held on April 22. This is the third year that the Tupelo Film Festival, established in 2004, has featured a high school short film competition, to promote the art of filmmaking and to encourage student amateur filmmakers to hone their skills. It is the first year that Bay High has participated in the competition, but it will surely not be the last. This is the first year that the awards included scholarships to the Watkins College for Art, Design and Film in Nashville, Tennessee. 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
"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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. The Invisible Patients
Pass Christian filmmaker Patrick O'Connor's award-winning documentary takes a hard look at marginalized patients struggling with the juggernaut of the American health care system.
- by LB Kovac
Two local screenings of "The Invisible Patients" in March:
Watch the trailer for the documentary "The Invisible Patients"
Last year, Americans visited the doctor more than 70 million times, per statistics from Azuria, Inc. Of those visits, a mere 0.6% were house calls, or visits where a medical professional went to a patient residence. Compare that to the 1960s and earlier– not even 70 years ago – when 40% or more of doctor’s visits were house calls.
The shift from home-based medical care to doctor’s office visits, clinic diagnoses, and emergency room treatment, came about in part because of medical specialization, the practice where doctors become knowledgeable in a very narrow field of medicine. Medical specialization has led to better surgery practices, advancements in medical technology, and treatments for numerous once-fatal diseases, but it offers few options for people like Roger. Roger is a part of a group called “homebound patients,” patients Medicaid defines as having “a condition [with which] leaving the home is medically contraindicated;” symptoms like pain or confusion worsen for these patients when they leave home, even if it is for doctor visits or medical emergencies.
These are the people that director Patrick O’Connor seeks to uplift in “The Invisible Patients,” people with little time, few options, and for which practiced medical attention and compassion are absolutely vital. These people are not well-served by a medical system that emphasizes medical specialization for day-to-day care.
And this is also where people like Jessica come in. Jessica is a licensed nurse practitioner (NP) in Indiana and works as part of MD2U, an “in-home primary care network” that provides regular medical attention to homebound or home-limited patients. Jessica makes house calls for patients like Roger. She visits them in their homes several times a month, providing them with the medical care that best suits their conditions. She gives physical examinations, checks vitals, prescribes medications, and speaks with the patients about their ongoing illnesses, all in the comfort of the patient’s bedroom, living room, or kitchen. Roger is lucky in at least one way – his house calls are covered by Medicaid. But the same cannot be said for Patty, one of the other patients the documentary focuses on. Patty is in her early 70s and “multimorbid,” or suffering from multiple chronic conditions, including arthritis. That’s because there is another factor in this equation: money. Patty often struggles with getting house calls, medications, and doctor’s visits covered by Medicare. Early in the film, she is dropped by her insurance for making too much money. Then, one of her more expensive medications is not covered by her insurance. Then, a doctor refuses her insurance coverage and sends her away. Although Medicare does provide some financial help, it does not cover all of Patty’s medical costs, and, due to mounting expenses, she is left without medical care.
Without Jessica, many of her patients would either be in nursing homes or completely without medical care. Patty and her husband, Wink, go eight months without medical attention, according to the film.
O’Connor, who has writing credits like “Sacred Hearts” and “Ricochet River,” says that there were even challenges to filming, largely owing to Jessica’s rather intense schedule. She sees 8-10 patients a day and drives around 60 miles, in order to be able to see them all. If it weren’t for Jessica’s manic schedule, many of these patients would have to live in nursing homes, or, worse, not get regular medical care at all. Jessica and her “team of three nurse practitioners” are responsible for more than 500 patients across two states. Not all states offer in-home health as part of Medicare and Medicaid plans. The Independence at Home project, an initiative to test the viability of in-home health services for Medicare and Medicaid patients, is in the middle of a three-year study of fourteen healthcare providers. In the first year of testing of the study, one clinic saved Medicare more than $13,000 a patient; savings like that might eventually translate to an expansion of in-home health services in other states.
“The Invisible Patients” doesn’t attempt to tie this situation up in a big red bow. There’s not a happy ending to Roger’s story; the documentary’s denouement centers on his passing from complications related to Duchenne. Jessica plainly addresses the camera and says that “he was gone” when his mother woke up that morning.
There is some hope. Because of Jessica’s services – because of the existence of in-home medical attention and his access to it - Roger spends his last few days surrounded by his family. He even gets to meet his nephew. But more work needs to be done so that other patients – patients like Patty – also have access to this kind of care. O’Connor says that “expanding the roles [of] Nurse Practitioners – allowing them to take more direct control of patient care,” some of the burden of homebound patients’ medical care can be alleviated. This will require changes to Medicaid and Medicare regulations, such as in this bill. Simple awareness is also helpful. O’Connor and his team are doing a free screenings of “The Invisible Patients” at the Pass Christian Library at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 and at the Bay St. Louis Library (312 Hwy 90, Bay St. Louis, (228) 467-6836) Thursday, March 30th at 6pm. By simply seeing these patients and listening to their stories, they become less invisible. The Waveland City Hall Gallery
After years of being a nomadic gallery, The Arts, Hancock County finds a permanent showcase for artists in the new Waveland City Hall.
- by Janet Densmore
The gallery has been housed in various locations through the years, but its establishment in the new Coleman Avenue government center is a homecoming of sorts. Pre-Katrina, local artist and potter Regan Carney and her friend Janet Dudding – who worked at the original Waveland city hall – put the empty walls to good use, showcasing work by members of The Arts, Hancock County.
Post-Katrina, there were no walls of the building remaining. For a time the Gallery was hosted by the Pearl River Community College on Highway 90, known as the Wave Gallery. Local artists showed alongside students under careful coordination by volunteer Joan Coleman.
Later, the Hancock Chamber lent additional wall space in their Court Street office in Bay St. Louis for artists to exhibit. A hanging system and display cases were installed there and at the PRCC, courtesy of post-hurricane recovery funds. Eventually, these venues changed use or moved. The gallery once again found itself “homeless.” Then Waveland’s Lisa Planchard and Mayor David Garcia agreed that the empty walls at the city’s sleek new government building could use some art. Mayor Garcia pointed out that "ours is an artist's community, and what better place to showcase that community than our public buildings?" With the support of city officials and the help of volunteer/photographer Joe Tomosovsky, the hanging system was installed at the new location. Marilynn Arseneau, then president of The Arts organization, prevailed upon her husband, Paul, to help move the display cases from the Depot and the PRCC - no light task. But while the space had all the elements necessary, there was no one to curate or to organize shows. After retiring from a two-year stint as president of The Arts, Hancock, Marilyn Arseneau, took on the challenge of managing the gallery. Along with assistant gallery director and artist Sandra Bagley, the gallery presented juried art exhibits in the lobby, with opening receptions that including food and music. The guest list became a mailing list. After two years, they handed the baton back to artist Regan Carney, with the help of this writer, Janet Densmore. The adventure had come full circle. Under Carney’s watch, exhibits began to extend beyond traditional fine arts and photography to fabric artists, jewelry designers, floral designers, etc, Perhaps the most popular exhibit was the show by Dale Pohl's elementary school art students in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade - a riot of happy colors. Currently, through Thursday, February 2nd, 2017, clay work by gallery founder Regan Carney is showing alongside watercolors by Herb Willey.
In addition to being the impetus behind the original gallery, Regan has been the lynchpin of art activities and an inspiration to Hancock artists for over twenty years, with an enviable record of artistic achievements.
Regan Carney can often be found working in her studio at the Bay Arts Co-op (415 Necaise Ave., Bay St. Louis). When asked about the origin of her art, she said that it went back over 9,000 years. "In ancient cultures, hollowed-out stones or baskets were used to collect water or grains because that's all they had,” said Carney. “But mice can get to grain stored in baskets. Pottery was probably discovered when a basket got clay on it. At some point the same basket went to a fire and the basket burned and the clay stayed stiff. It could hold water; it would keep out mice. In short, clay pottery became the Neolithic plastic bag." Regan explained that whether the pottery contained bits of added straw, or stone, whether it was coated with a colored slip, or paddled, or carved or smoked to partially seal the surface is how archeologists were able to identify various cultures. "Glazes came from the desert sands of the Middle East. Somebody built a campfire on top of an outcropping of salt. The next morning there was a blazing blue color in the ashes. It looked like the sky. God had spoken. They started using low-melting sand. These were the first glazed materials." Carney is a second-generation artist. Her father, Hal Carney, was a revered portrait artist in New Orleans and taught painting at Tulane and Newcomb. Carney herself holds an art degree from Tulane/Newcomb. She has no problems with the blurring of lines between traditional fine art and fine crafts. Even the simple forms she has created qualify as sculpture. "Hold this cup," she urged. "How does it feel in your hand? How does it fit? Imagine it filled with hot coffee in the morning? Wrapping your other hand around the cup, it grips easily, you won't likely drop it. It warms you; comforts you. It is made by hand for your hands. See how the handle makes a nice S-curve with an indenture at the top that just fits your thumb so nicely?"
The current exhibit of her work at the Waveland gallery is organized by color and design more than specific function. Pieces in one case share an Eastern influence. Another case is filled with black and white clay pieces, made with the neriage technique.
Neriage (pronounced nare-ee-ahhhj) has no applied pigment . The black comes from black clay and the white from white clay. The trick is to get them layered without falling apart. Neriage developed in Japan around 1900, but Regan has put her own modern stamp on these pieces. She confessed she has to "slam the clay down violently" so that the colors "marry," but don't blend. "It's all about relationships," she offered with a chuckle. In yet another case of work, some of the glazes are derived from lapis lazuli - stones Regan often uses in her jewelry design (though not in this show). Regan once lent her jewelry talents to Mignon Faget's studio in New Orleans before settling here on the coast. Soon after moving here in the mid-90s, she launched what is now the oldest cooperative studio for artists: the Bay Arts Co-op just celebrated its 21st anniversary. Regan was also one of the early founders of The Arts, Hancock County organization,
Award-winning watercolorist, Herb Willey, has been quietly observing and painting people along the Mississippi coast for well over a year. His collected beachfront paintings show along Regan Carney’s works in the current show. Herb is a member of the International Watercolor Society and his work has been shown in far-flung places like Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Herb is approaching the second year of paintings along Beach Blvd. He is not sure when or if he will run out of subject matter because "it's so varied. You couldn't go anywhere in the United States that is this close to a major city, like New Orleans, or Biloxi and find a beach that is so deserted you can still see eagles!" Herb works from photographs he snaps along the way. "You'll see a painting called 'Multitasking.'" It's a jogger with a baby strapped to his back and he's walking a dog. The guy and the baby are both looking at me. Most of the time they (his subjects) got their attention on their own thing: seagulls, pelicans, Bud Light." "I want the painting to make people think about what the guy is doing. I like to find humor," he admitted. "Also scenes that make you wonder about exactly what is going on."
Herb likes to write stories about his paintings on the labels too. He tells about a watercolor of a "guy that's carrying one dog and walking another dog. Why is this guy carrying this dog?”
Herb has completed nearly 400 works in the last three years. Yet, Herb confesses that after 25 years of painting, he has only begun to feel comfortable with the path his work has taken now he is able to paint full-time. Herb majored in Fine Art in college, then quickly went to work as staff artist for the Daily Iberian newspaper. He also studied watercolor with noted artist Harrel Gray for ten years. He showed his paintings at the Old Quarter Gallery near Jackson Square in the French Quarter, having his first show with Gray in the early 1990s. Yet for most of his career, he worked full-time in advertising, completing one of his own paintings only when time permitted. The pace was slow – one per week and sometimes, one per month. Mostly, he painted French Quarter scenes, "stuff that didn't move, with tourist appeal." Last year, Herb was only Mississippi watercolorist to show work in the Louisiana International Watercolor Exhibit held at Place St. Charles, New Orleans. "If you let failure in selling dictate your future in art you are not getting what it's about,” Herb said. “You need to keep exposing your art to people and getting your art out there." The Waveland City Hall Gallery is open to artists throughout Hancock County. Curated exhibits can be scheduled by contacting Cynthia Mahner at Coast Time Realty (228) 493-2852 or by email: wavelandcityhallgallery@gmail.com. The Gail Keenan Art Center
The effervescent spirit of a ground-breaking coast artist lives on in the Pass Christian gallery that bears her name.
- story by Ellis Anderson, photos by Ellis Anderson and courtesy GKAC
The center contains three sections – a large, open gallery space with a vaulted ceiling, a music classroom and a studio classroom. The classrooms host students during the school day and also serve the community with programs like Lagniappe, an after-school enrichment program offering opportunities for private, public and home-schooled students. The classrooms are also used for adult art classes during the year and kids’ camps in the summer.
Meanwhile, the gallery has established itself as one of the premier venues for art in South Mississippi. Several shows a year are hosted there, as well as other special events – like the Invitational Art Market coming up on November 11th, when some of the coast’s finest artists and craftspeople will be selling their work from noon until 8pm (Editor’s note: From 5 – 8 p.m. on the 11th, shoppers can also enjoy wine and cheese while they’re picking out holiday gifts - $5 donation at door for the reception).
For instance, noted Ocean Springs artist Joey Rice was featured in a GKAC show earlier this year. Wynn said Rice brought in her equipment and held a class on paper-making for the entire school. “Everyone, from kindergarteners to sixth-graders, was fascinated.”
Wynn believes Gail – who was a dear friend – would be “enormously pleased.” “I think she would find real satisfaction from the way the gallery is functioning in the community. I also think she’d be very humble about it.”
The seed of the art center originally took root after Gail’s untimely death from cancer in 2005. Her two sons wanted to donate their mother’s pottery equipment to Coast Episcopal School. Wynn realized there was no place on campus that would accommodate the generous donation. She approached Gail’s husband, Burt Keenan, with the idea of building an art facility for the school, in honor of the memory of Gail. He immediately and enthusiastically agreed.
A few months later, the entire coast community was severely impacted by Hurricane Katrina. The dream for an arts center was mothballed while the school’s board, staff and parents focused on meeting the basic needs of the students. Years later, by the time plans for the arts center began moving forward, building costs had risen substantially. While Keenan’s original donation still made up the lion’s share of funding for the arts center, more than fifty other donors also contributed to fill the gap of final construction costs. Reverend Liz Goodyear Jones took over as Head of School when the project was getting off the ground and said she had the “distinct pleasure” of helping bring the center to fruition in 2011. “Gail's vision, upheld by the incomparable Wynn Seemann, taught me a whole new way of thinking about collaborative communities,” Jones says. As an example, Jones refers to GKAC’s February 2016 show of work of the Selma March by civil rights photographer Matt Herron. “I watched nearly 200 high schoolers from three different schools in Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian and Gulfport be spellbound in the presence of Matt and his historic photographs.”
In the five years it’s been open, the gallery has gained a reputation among veteran local artists as one of the best places to show on the coast. The large open galley affords plenty of space to view work and the lighting is superlative. But artists give much credit for the gallery’s success to the organizational efforts of Wynn, curator Anna Harris, and David Harrison, director of the school’s art program. Wynn, however, believes the most important cog in the wheel is the center’s volunteers.
“They’re terrific, helping with everything from set-up to food and flowers,” says Wynn. “They give and they give and they give. Some of them are Gail’s old friends.” Of which Gail had many. The artist grew up in New Orleans, but spent much of her early adult life in California, pursuing artistic endeavors and raising two sons by her first marriage to filmmaker Les Blank. After her sons left for college, she reconnected with a beau who’d courted her as a teenager. She and Burt Keenan married in 1988. After moving back to the Gulf South, Gail built a reputation as a respected artist in New Orleans - where she showed in galleries like the Academy of Fine Art - and on the Mississippi coast. A winner of many awards, she was twice been the recipient of the prestigious Peter Anderson Potter’s Award. The artist is best known for her Raku pottery, which she painted with bold freehand designs, often depicting animal and human figures. In the latter part of her life, she took up print-making, which manifested the same unconstrained, playful style that made her work - whether on paper or on pottery - instantly recognizable and highly collected.
After Gail passed away, mourners packed the vast chapel at Forest Lawn Cemetery in New Orleans to say farewell. Son and filmmaker Harrod Blank, who wrote his mother’s bio for the GKAC website, was able to verbalize the qualities that made her so beloved by so many:
For those of you that didn't get to meet her, it was her unpretentious, humble, yet curious essence that made you feel comfortable when she was present with you, that you were paid attention to, and even cared for, and maybe loved. Because if there was any awkwardness in you, she would break it down, make fun of it by being silly and move on. If you were alone in the corner at a party feeling socially outcast, she would be the one that may come up to you and talk about the moon. She would make a person feel better by lifting them up, encouraging them, finding out about their life, but again mostly by being in the moment, present, and really caring. She was rarely out for her own agenda, and in fact, she was inept at social networking or promoting her art and career. She was simply real, unique, positive and fun to be around. Wynn believes that Gail would have “absolutely loved the way the arts center has unfolded” and the way it embraces and brings together different communities from across the coast. “She could be incredibly serious about her art, very attentive to detail,” says Wynn. “Yet she had this other side that was joyous, almost childlike. She could relate to anyone and everyone.” “I miss her every day.” New BSL Arts Center in the Works
In a dramatic leap of faith, local performance potter Steve Barney purchases a derelict property with plans to transform it into an artistic hub that will attract people from across the South and fuel the local Creative Economy.
- story and photos by Karen Fineran, additional photos, Ellis Anderson
Watch the Mississippi Roads episode that features Steve Barney!
his segment's right at the beginning
He intends for it to be a mixed-use development, which will offer a metal fabrication facility, ceramic studios, makerspace, a front gallery for the artists to exhibit and sell their work, apartments, and office space.
Barney's long term plan is that BSLCCA will offer beginner and advanced classes in metalworking, pottery, stained glass and other mediums, and that a full schedule of workshops will be offered to the public by artists from across the Gulf Coast and New Orleans. Barney has gained national recognition for his efforts in the burgeoning movement to integrate Art into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) with respect to children's educational programs. As the Shoofly highlighted in an earlier edition, Barney is the founder of the STEAMpunk Pottery Project, has created the self-acclaimed “greatest pottery machine in the world,” and performs regularly at festivals and museums across the Gulf Coast.
Barney stated, “This complex represents the manifestation of a dream to create a community makerspace for building things, and to share my passion for STEAM."
In keeping with the STEAM theme, a wide variety of programs are planned to expose kids to new forms of art, including after-school programs, weekend workshops and summer art camp offerings. BSLCCA will feature the Bay's most extensive metal-working studio, and will offer facilities, equipment and classes for metal cutting, fabrication, welding (including MIG, TIG and stick welding), forging, sandblasting and painting. "We will teach classes in metalworking and operate a coop workshop for artists to work on their own projects.” Barney adds, “During the day we will operate a commercial welding shop to meet the local demand for fabrication and repairs.” Ceramic arts will also be a major focus for BSLCCA. The clay studio will include eight pottery wheels, a glaze mixing lab, and other equipment for hand-building. The kiln room will have three state of the art computer controlled electric kilns, with future plans to include gas and raku kilns as well. Barney explains, “The City of Bay St. Louis and neighbors in the area have been incredibly supportive of this project. This is a major effort in the revitalization of Washington Street." In fact, the Arts of Hancock County, a leading arts advocacy organization with over 200 members, plans to have its offices at the BSLCCA. Barney expects to open the center by early 2017. If you would like more information about BSLCCA, please contact Executive Director Steve Barney at 617-834-0715 or email sbarney@gmail.com.
Barney expects to open the center by early 2017. If you would like more information about BSLCCA, please contact Executive Director, Steve Barney at 617-834-0715 or email at sbarney@gmail.com.
MAP: Music, Arts and Practicality
A unique - and free - Hancock County program introduces children to art, music and live theatre by producing shows like "The Lion King." Find out how it's contributing in a big way to our local Circle of Life.
- story by Ellis Anderson, photos by Kelly Corbin
The audience wasn’t disappointed. The team of performers and backstage hands bowled over crowds on two consecutive nights. Chalk up another hit for the MAP program.
MAP stands for Music, Art and Practicality. The non-profit began in 2009, the brainchild of Waveland resident, Kathy Pinn (now director of the Waveland Ground Zero Museum). In the post-Katrina recovery years, officials were focused on restoring what was deemed necessary for survival. Pinn understood that art and music were necessities of the spirit – especially for children - and formed the group to offer arts programs to area youth. According to Pinn, the name comes from her belief that music and art are practical life skills that children can learn in the program. For example, sewing, making crafts and getting along with others. With MAP programs, children, grades 3-12, audition to participate. Every one who auditions is assigned a role. Participants learn the basics of live theatre while putting together real productions. Rehearsals alternated with art classes. The cost to parents? Nothing. MAP programs are completely free to all comers.
According to current president Sandy Reese, hundreds of local children have moved thorough the program over the past seven years. Currently, the program runs only through the summer, with one performance per year. But if Reese and the current board members have their way, soon, Hancock County children will have opportunities throughout the year to embrace music, art and live theatre.
“We think we’ve found a grant writer who will help us acquire funding for additional programs,” says Reese. “There’s so much more we’d like to do. For instance, we have a complete puppet theatre and we’d like to do shows with it.” In the past, MAP has even taken children on field trips to professional performances in New Orleans, an experience new and astonishing to most of them. And when the board was larger, the group put on multiple shows each year. “Currently, we have five board members,” Reese says. “We’re putting out a call and want to get back to seven. With additional funding and more help, we can really expand.”
On September 10th, the board is hosting a membership drive at the Waveland Community Center. For the price of a $15 membership, attendees will receive a free buffet dinner, hear information about the program and be treated to performances by some of the participants. New members will also have the opportunity to volunteer for future programs and events (for more information, call Sandy Reese at 228.332.0090).
Reese points to the broad community support already in place. Corporate sponsors like the Silver Slipper and Compton Engineering have been mainstays, while the community theatres across the coast have been extremely helpful. “There’s a great spirit of cooperation between all the groups. The Gulfport Little Theatre has been especially helpful.” The current performance director is Bonnie Hoeg, Gulfport school teacher and a veteran director at the Gulfport Little Theatre. Reese calls her “extremely talented” and says that she does a remarkable job. Reese also has high praise for the art teacher for the program this year, Ann Steinmetz. Betty Patecek is a founding member, who served as costume coordinator in the most recent productions, working with many creative people in the community to put together a show-stopping wardrobe. Reese believes the most rewarding part of volunteering with MAP is seeing children who have had no real exposure to art or performance blossom. Like Simba in "The Lion King," they gain confidence with experience. By the end of the program, the children have found a new place in the Circle of Life. The Bonner Collection - More Than You're Expecting
If you live in the South, you're familiar with Jim Bonner's commercial art. Now visit the Bonner Collection in Old Town to see his take on the natural coastal world.
- story and photographs by Karen Fineran
Ship models, wooden duck decoys and seabird figurines are artfully displayed among exquisitely rendered watercolor paintings of pelicans and other wildlife, boats, and lighthouses. Sea-colored jewelry is draped over driftwood sculptures. Vibrant ceramic seahorses, starfish, seashells, crabs and turtles seem to be crawling just about everywhere.
The Bonner Collection Art Gallery contains the studio of well-known artist Jim Bonner, and is the primary outlet for his watercolor paintings and prints. Owned by Bonner and his wife Patsy, it also contains an expansive retail space showcasing home décor, jewelry and gifts, and featuring the work of several other local artists. The gallery was first opened in Pass Christian in 1996, moved to Old Town Bay St. Louis in 2003, moved to uptown New Orleans in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina, and in 2013 finally returned to its Gulf Coast home. Originally from Meridian, Mississippi, Jim Bonner hails from the heyday of the advertising era in the ’70s in New Orleans. He’s the guy who designed the iconic Barq’s root beer can, the Crystal hot sauce pepper logo, and the original New Orleans Jazz NBA basketball team logo, among many others, some of which are available as prints at his studio.
So while a commercial graphic designer by trade, and a very celebrated and successful one at that (with a lineup of design and advertising awards to his credit), Jim’s true passion eventually emerged for painting watercolors of wildlife and nature scenes. His work has been exhibited at The George Ohr Museum and at the Ocean Springs Annual Show. His studio sells his original watercolor paintings, as well as signed and numbered giclees and prints.
Jim also accepts commissions, and is particularly talented at painting pet portraits that seem to perfectly capture the spirit and sensibilities of these quirky cats and dogs so beloved by their owners. He’s even painted Bay St. Louis’s own Lucy! Jim’s wife Patsy manages the retail side of the operation, collecting and displaying unique coastal-style gifts, home decor, antiques, new and vintage jewelry, and fun beach fashion like colorful bags, hats and scarves. Alligators and herons adorn delicate boxes made of capiz seashells. Dinnerware, hand towels, lamps and pillows prominently feature crabs and other sea motifs. Patsy says that the NOLA couture line that she carries is especially popular, with its neckties, dog collars, and key chains sporting alligators, cocktail glasses, fleur de lis, or red beans and rice. She also carries the original art pieces of a number of local clay artists, jewelers, and mixed media artists.
“This building is in such a great location that I think it really lured us back to the Bay,” Patsy explained about thedistinctive French Settlement Building that was opened for retail space on the Old Town beachfront in 2013. “Plus, we have such a love for the beauty of the Coast, and we love being right by the water here. Since we moved here, so many people have been coming and telling us that this is their favorite place to come in the Bay!”
The Bonner Collection Art Gallery is conveniently located in the French Settlement building at 108 South Beach Boulevard, steps away from the Bay St. Louis Harbor. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday and Monday afternoons “by chance.” Many of Jim’s paintings, as well as some of their retail goods, can be viewed at their website at www.thebonnercollection.com. The Bay High Tiger News Team Puts Art Into Action
This innovative new program teaches team-building and cutting-edge technical skills while promoting communication and school spirit at Bay High. It's an artistic win-win.
- story by Karen Fineran
Dancing Babies and Grumpy Cats:
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The grand opening ceremony for the new Hancock Performing Arts Center will take place Saturday, February 20th, 2016, 10am. 7140 Stennis Airport Drive. See more details at the end of this story!
The arts hold a unique place in the hearts of the people of Hancock County. Talented people pursue their dreams here and want to inspire others to take a creative approach to life through music, theatrical performances, and more. Now, Hancock County artists have a new 24,620-square-foot center to call home and to enjoy some of the most highly anticipated social events on the coast.
“The Performing Arts Center will be committed to promoting the arts to the children and citizens of Hancock County and will showcase local and visiting artists. We are excited to offer this magnificent facility to the Gulf Coast area,” said Director of the Hancock County Performing Arts Center Catherine Tibbs. |
Arts Alive
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The facility houses a 500-foot orchestra pit, over 2,000 square feet of lobby area complete with gallery-style hanging system, and a spacious backstage make-up and dressing room. The center also has a catering kitchen fully equipped to accommodate guests in final preparations for that big fun-filled family event or special day.
All are invited to the ceremonial ribbon cutting on February 20th, where there will be food, multiple performances, and other live entertainment. Crews have been working around the clock to make this opening an event you don’t want to miss!
Tibbs says the center’s goal is to benefit the entire community and its visitors. "We've never had anything like this in Hancock County! We want to bring in big Broadway plays and other programs that the community will enjoy. The center is not just for Hancock County. We welcome all performing artists to use the facility. It's a place where you can bring the whole family to enjoy concerts, dance recitals, and other aspects of the arts. We want it to be an all inclusive facility."
The center will be available for rent upon reservation. Stage productions of “Beauty and the Beast” and “Little Shop of Horrors” have already been booked for the coming months. For more information on upcoming performances and rental dates contact the center at 228-255-6247.
Saturday February 20, 2016
10:00 a.m.
7140 Stennis Airport Drive
10:00- 10:15- Ribbon cutting ceremony and greetings from Mr. Dedeaux
10:15-West Hancock Elementary School
10:20-10:40-Hancock North Central Elementary School
10:45-11:10-South Hancock Elementary School
11:15-11:35-Hancock Middle School
11:35- 12:30- Intermission
12:30-12:50-Hancock Middle School’s Performing Arts Club
12:55-1:05-Hancock High School’s Talon Dance Team
1:10-1:30-Hancock High School’ Drama
1:35-1:40-Hancock High School’s Talon Dance Team
1:40--2:00- Intermission
2:00- 2:20-- Hancock High School Drama
2:25- 3:00- Hancock High School Symphonic Band
STEAMPunk Pottery Project
- story by Karen Fineran, photos by Robert Mosley
“You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, “He did not make me”; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, ‘He has no understanding’?”
— Biblical verse (Isaiah 29:16) written across a large sign on Barney’s extreme pottery-making contraption, “Agile Argile”
Whether at the helm of his bizarre-looking pottery machine, dangling upside down over an inverted pottery wheel, or forming clay pieces using his bare (and very bald) head, Steve Barney has taken pottery to a whole other level.
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Arts Alive
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The program is designed to integrate the STEAMPunk genre, the "Maker" culture and the experience of making pottery. The combination of elements will be applied to a unique new educational curriculum.
On January 30th, from 10am to 6pm on the grounds of the Ohr, Barney will perform a "sneak preview" of the project, informally demonstrating his radically innovative pottery-making machine and techniques.
Then on March 5th, Barney will be the host and the headliner at OOMA's kick-off event to introduce the new curriculum. It's scheduled to coincide with "Coast Com" (AKA Comic Com on the Gulf Coast) and the Mississippi Museums Association's annual meeting, being held this year at OOMA. The March event will feature George Ohr-like circus sideshow performances.
With an electrical engineering degree from Tufts and a lifelong interest in industrial design, Barney spent 15 years as an instructional design consultant in Boston and created interactive computer simulations for clients like museums and educators. But Barney had also been throwing clay pottery on the wheel since he was a child growing up in Buffalo, New York. Creating and teaching ceramic art were always an important part of his life, and he itched to bring his artistic interests and his passion for engineering together.
Barney initially visited New Orleans several times for Jazz Fests; when he made exploratory forays into the surrounding areas, he fell in love with the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Shortly after Hurricane Katrina, Barney bought and renovated several cottages in Old Town Bay St. Louis, throwing himself into the creative process of restoring historic homes. Within a couple of years Old Town became home.
Barney’s fascination with industrial machinery had taken a steampunk turn in the late 1990s. Steampunk as a movement incorporates a Victorian industrial aesthetic: think H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, or Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” with a modern sensibility.
While Barney had long felt influenced by the post-apocalyptic “Mad Max” movie series and William Gibson’s cyberpunk novels, his “eyes and mind were blown” when in 1997 he started attending the annual Burning Man art festival in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert. There he got carried away by the outrageously high tech/low tech contraptions, art cars, sculptures, and performance art on display and before long was exploring the diesel punk world of machine-design innovation and folk engineering, fashioning original contraptions out of old flywheels and belt pulleys.
Barney can use Agile Argile upside down, using reverse gravitational forces to throw an upside down pot by affixing a lump of clay upon its 19th-century cast-iron drill press, which then pulls itself down from its base by gravity.
Upside-down pottery throwing is not particularly novel, Barney explains. Many potters over the years have bolted wheels to the ceiling in their studios and “pulled down” surreally tall structures that are not possible to create on a standard potter’s wheel. Barney chose to further explore the process by inverting his body so his hand-and-body orientation to the wheel and spinning clay could be maintained while he was throwing.
Thus, Barney dons a climbing harness supported by an electric winch, working upside down with a remote control for as long as he can stand it before the dizzying rushing of blood to his brain impels him to re-right himself. When he first started climbing into the harness about 15 months ago, he could only hang for about 45 seconds before blackness oozed across his vision. Now he hangs for about 2 ½ minutes at a time.
Another striking visual feature of Agile Argile is a series of fixed and mounted mannequin hands attached to multi-axis pivoting arms to mimic the potter’s hands performing particular tasks. Functioning simultaneously, they conjure a demented Wizard of Oz or the multi-armed Hindu deity Shiva.
Barney's relationship with the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art began when he first visited OOMA a couple of years ago and learned about the fantastical works and vaudeville persona of the self-proclaimed “Mad Potter of Biloxi” George Ohr. Ohr was a master of carnivalesque self-promotion, and his pottery shop was an established coast tourist attraction where fascinated visitors could watch the Mad Potter give entertaining performances as they purchased mementos of their trip.
Ohr’s eccentric persona and flair resonated with Barney. “As I walked around the Ohr museum and grounds, I felt like I had come home," Barney said. Weeks after that visit, Barney dreamed of Ohr himself directing him to carry out Ohr's artistic vision using a steampunk premise. “This concept really belongs at the Ohr Museum,” Barney says. “It’s the right idea at the right place and the right time.”
Barney plans to take his machine to schools, museums, and festivals across the state and pique children’s interest in pottery, as well as inspire passion for learning about engineering, machinery, robotics, and other sciences.
“The steampunk concept really brought it all together for me. I thought, if I could teach pottery as a creative and cognitive process, and incorporate my passion for engineering, then I could gift to the children so many things that I’ve learned over the years. I feel like my ideas have the potential to touch thousands of kids nationwide.”
Barney sometimes appears in Bay St. Louis at Second Saturday and other local events, often in front of the Ugly Pirate bar. For more information about the SteamPunk Pottery Project, email Barney at steve@steampots.org.
Shop Locally AND Creatively!
- story and photos by Ellis Anderson and Ana Balka
Unless you’ve been stationed in the Antarctic for the last decade, you’ve probably heard that shopping local is a good idea. Old Town Bay St. Louis provides encouragement for local shopping throughout the year with Second Saturday Art Walks, Hancock Chamber of Commerce Business-After-Hours events, Mr. Atticus’s Friday Night Markets at the Mockingbird Café, big yearly events like Cruisin’ the Coast, and incentives to explore, like the Old Town Historic Walking and Biking Tour.
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Arts Alive
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and we've hot-linked Cleaver sponsors who represent them!
Just around the corner on Second Street, Antique Maison, Social Chair, Bay Emporium, Flair, and the Mockingbird Café are longtime venues for local artists. The new Smith & Lens Gallery has gained a statewide reputation for excellence and imaginative shows in the year that it's been open.
Toward the beach, on the first block of Main Street, Twin Light Creations, Maggie May’s, Jean Anne’s Fashion Express and the new Bay Life Gifts all feature work by superb local artists. By all means, one can’t forget the iconic Jim Bonner at the Bonner Collection on Beach Boulevard (in French Settlement). Cappie's Point, also in the French Settlement building, is the sponsor of this Arts Alive monthly column!
In Old Town's Depot District, The Lawson Studio boasts a collection of art to complement the most discriminating decor, while folk art lovers can pick up prints of popular original paints by the renowned Alice Moseley in the museum named in her honor (top floor of the historic depot building).
Antique shops like Magnolia Antiques and Antique Maison Ulman can be gold mines for outsider or collectible vintage art and artifacts. While it's hard to guarantee their point of origin, by shopping locally, you're still investing in your community while having a blast!
Throughout the holiday season, shoppers can take advantage of some special shopping nights that we have listed in the Cleaver calendar. On the three Thursdays leading up to Christmas, participating Old Town stores will provide discounts and specials for educators, first responders, and men, respectively (we like that men in general get their own night to “go wild” shopping in Old Town BSL, and that it’s at the proverbial last minute before the holiday).
Also, on December 4th and 5th the Ladies Auxiliary of the Bay-Waveland Yacht Club holds their annual Christmas Bazaar at the Yacht Club, with over 30 local vendors participating. Martha Whitney Butler of the French Potager said, “It’s like having all of Old Town in one room.” Martha will be taking items from her store including flowers, gifts, jewelry, and candles. A gift card to Huge&GiantBuy or a mass-produced electronic item doesn’t convey the same sentiment that a locally made item would. And dollars spent at UberMart don’t circulate in our community throughout the year. But you already knew that, right? This isn't the Antarctic! |
Thursdays:
December 3, 10, 17 Special shopping nights in Old Town Participating Old Town merchants 3-8 p.m. Old Town hosts three special shopping evenings on consecutive Thursdays in December. First, educators come out and get your shopping done early and local for Teacher Appreciation Night on Thursday, December 3, 3-8 p.m. The following Thursday, December 10, all you firefighters, emergency professionals and military personnel can make your rounds in Old Town during First Responders/Military Appreciation Night (also 3-8 p.m.) And finally, all you last-minute-shopping Men get the red carpet treatment at Men’s Shopping Night on Thursday, December 17, 3-8 p.m.! (Some of you may qualify for all three events!) |
Happy Holidays from the Crew at the Cleaver!
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