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!
Be sure to check out February "Hot Spots" The Arts, Hancock County (they'll be set up in the lot at Main and Second streets) and Loft Yoga (111 Court Street). Read more about these featured businesses below! - stories by Steve Barney and Anne Pitre 
The ribbon-cutting for The Arts, Hancock County at the 2019 Arts Alive in Old Town Bay St. Louis
The Arts, Hancock County
101 Central Avenue (permanent address PO Box 3498, Bay St Louis Website During Second Saturday, The Arts will be set up in the lot at Main and Second streets - stop by, say hi and join up! 
The Arts, Hancock County and Steve Barney in particular were responsible for the creation of the ceramic oyster shell that presided over the New Year's Eve festivities in Bay St. Louis this year.
The Arts, Hancock County is not only a Hot Spot for February, it is also hot spot attraction providing year-round programming. The organization, which is open to all artists and art lovers, is dedicated to promoting all aspects of the arts in Hancock County. Recently, The Arts received designation as the official local art association for Hancock County, opening the door to new grant opportunities. Since 2002, Arts volunteers have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to nurture and support the thriving, funky and vibrant arts scene the community enjoys. The scope of The Arts’ work goes far beyond a traditional artists’ association. Artists are actively reaching out to the community and can often be found running live demonstrations and hands-on arts activities at local events. 
They are also the masterminds behind the quickly-growing Arts Alive Festival, which showcases the best artists of all varieties – musicians, performance, painters, potters – you name it! The 2019 festival featured over 50 artists from across the region and was a major win for all businesses in Old Town Bay St. Louis, as people came by the thousands to enjoy all that the area has to offer. Arts Alive 2020 is scheduled for March 21-22 and promises to be bigger than ever. Also, the “Under the Flower Moon” event comes back in May for the second annual gathering of temporary installations in nature at La Terre Bioregional Center in Kiln. 
For the last several years, the organization has been led by local artists/entrepreneurs Ann Madden and Steve Barney. Madden serves as President of the organization with Barney stepping into the recently created role of Executive Director. 
Madden, working with partner Sandy Maggio, brings arty goodness to Old Town BSL at Smith and Lens Gallery. Maggio’s intricately designed sterling silver jewelry are some of the most highly prized bounty from a day of shopping in Old Town. Madden also has a thriving photography and design business and still makes time for her own art, crafting dynamic collages containing photo image transfers. Their gallery features monthly exhibits showcasing the hippest, cutting-edge art from across the region as well as their own craft. They are also responsible for creating and producing pop-up shows and the giant Second Saturday events Frida Fest and Dolly Should. 
Barney, best known as performance artist “The Mad Potter of Bay St. Louis,” is also the director of the BSL Creative Arts Center, which serves as the office/ meeting space for The Arts. The center is a 7,500 square-foot converted industrial space that serves as a hub for creative pursuits of all kinds. In the pottery studio, custom mugs are made for local businesses. The Creative Arts Center is also home to a variety of workshops including mosaics, glass blowing, flower arranging and Mardi Gras props and throws. Other members of The Arts leadership team include: Joan Coleman, Treasurer and Arts Alive Co-Chair; Bernie Cullen, Secretary; and Board members James Inabinet, Grace Birch, John Anderson and Scott Weicek.
This Second Saturday, Feb. 8 from 4-7 pm, make time to visit to The Arts tent at the corner of Second and Main St. Arts interns and local artists will have a wide variety of art activities including rock painting, mini portraits and ceramic seahorse throws, and it’s all free! Ice cream samples will be provided by Creole Creamery with a special performance by the coast’s coolest drumline, the Bay Ratz Marching Battery. See you at Second Saturday!
The Loft at Bodega in Old Town Bay St. Louis is a place where you can find an authentic Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline. Through yoga, the experienced staff there will help you with breath control, simple meditation, and specific bodily postures for total health and relaxation.
Conveniently located on the second floor of Bodega, the building is only a stone’s throw from the Beach and Main at 111 Court Street. A February Hot Spot on Second Saturday, The Loft at Bodega is a unique and inviting oasis to start your yoga experience. “Our mission is to provide the best instructors found anywhere in the country to help you come together to move past self-imposed limitations and experience the evolution of strength, stamina, balance, breathing and awareness,” said owner Kevin Jordan. 
Alyssa Dausan is a 500-hour-certified registered yoga teacher (RYT-500) with Yoga Alliance and trained through Warriors at Ease to teach yoga in military communities. Tonya Wetzel is a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) with Yoga Alliance. She has a background in dance and brings her love of movement to her class. Lindy Lewis was introduced to yoga in 2012 and she earned her Yoga Alliance RYT 200 hour teacher training at CorePower Yoga RiNo in Colorado where she studied Baptiste style power Vinyasa yoga. Her classes are high energy, focused on alignment, breath and flow. Jessi Donald is trained in Vinyasa Yoga through the Shanti Yoga program with an additional certification in kid yoga. She focuses on body awareness, breath and flow. Laiya Ann Kelly is a 200 hour (RYT) registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance. She focuses on de-stressing the body and mind to create strength and balance. Nicki Reeder is trained in Anusara Yoga through Balance Yoga, Wellness and Ayurveda in New Orleans. As a runner and coach, she incorporates asanas to focus on the muscles and parts of the body that experience wear and tear through exercise. Steven completed his first teacher training with Doug Swenson in 1999. His philosophy is to keep yoga accessible for everyone by presenting all level practices with attention on alignment and mindfulness. Nathalie Croix offers teacher training through the Shanti Yoga Training School. For a complete list of dates and yoga classes offered go to loftbsl.com or text her at 310-435-6098. 
While different teachers bring their own authentic style to each class, there are a number of classes offered. Classes are designed as moving meditations and are generally 60 minutes long unless otherwise indicated. There is a foundational beginner class available for ages 10 – 80. The class focuses on alignment with some flow. You can also sign up for the Vinyasa flow for students at multiple levels. Yoga Nidra is a guided meditation. A fitness-based approach to Vinyasa yogo, The Loft also offers a class that takes the All Levels Flow/Multi-Flow to the next level. There is a 90-minute advanced warm Vinyasa flow with optional advanced postures. Another yoga class seeks to increase the stabilizer muscles in the body and support posture improvement. Pricing for a single class drop in is $15. You can also purchase packages ranging from $65 (5 classes) to $240 (20 classes). The space at The Loft is welcoming, inviting and available to rent for private classes or other events. To contact an instructor about one of the classes offered, call or text: 954-288-2165 or email [email protected]. “All of our instructors have one thing in common, “ said Jordan. “They want to share the peace and healing power yoga brings to their lives with their clients.” Bodega is also home to Bodega Adventures, Bodega Spirits and Liquor, and Parrot Head Bar and Grill. For more, call 228-363-1290 or go to www.bodegabsl.com or email us at [email protected]. For vacation rentals go to www.gulfviewproperties.net or call 228-344-3004. Comments are closed.
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