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Saturday, February 13, 2021
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- Stories and photos by Caitlin Bourgeois
Over the past 28 years, the monthly art walk has become one of the most popular events in the region. Old Town stays lively all day, with many merchants and restaurants offering specials.
The pace picks up from 4–7 pm, when gallery openings and live music keep the streets humming with activity. Be sure to check out November "Hot Spots" Bay Life Gifts (112 S. Second Street) and B.E.E. by the Bay: A Fine Art Gallery (131-A Main Street). Read more about these featured businesses below! |
This Second Saturday Artwalk column
is sponsored by |
Janice Guido moved her shop, Bay Life Gifts, to The Shops of Century Hall almost three years ago. Perks of the move for Janice? On-site parking, ease of access and, most important, community.
“I’m happy to say that Bay Life Gifts has survived six years in retail,” laughs Janice. After a long career in the hospitality industry, Janice settled full time in Bay Saint Louis looking for a more relaxing occupation.
A great lover of the arts, Janice is proud of the selection she offers at Bay Life Gifts. Artwork from local artists line the shop walls; gorgeous rocks glasses from Maurice Milleur sit on intricately designed trays; and even the Laguiole steak knives seem to have an artistic shine to them.
Janice is particularly excited about her favorite section of the store – a totally blue-and-white home decor space. Pillows, lamps and more are all hand-selected by Janice to adorn this special area and, of course, all fit the color scheme.
Bay Life Gifts is going to make Valentine’s Day shopping a breeze this year. After three years of anticipating the needs of her clients at The Shops of Century Hall, Janice has it down pat. Decanters, flasks and whiskey glasses are great gifts for men, and one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces make a thoughtful gift for the ladies. There are pieces from local jewelry artist Elizabeth Veglia and Natchez jewelry artist Jenny Metcalfe – totally unique, and only available locally at Bay Life Gifts.
Bay Life Gifts will host Bradley Bones on the front porch of The Shops of Century Hall on Saturday, February 13 from 4 to 7 pm for Second Saturday Artwalk. Bradley, grandson of country singer Jimmy Dalton, is a Slidell native with strong Gulf Coast ties and a lot of talent. Enjoy blues, rock and jazz while strolling this three-story shopping mecca.
There will be lots of Mardi Gras decor to add to your “house float” and Valentine’s goodies as well. Grab a sweet Valentine cookie and a holiday-inspired drink while shopping at all 16 stores. You can park in the Hall’s on-site parking lot and enjoy your time inside looking around.
Congratulations, Janice, on Bay Life Gifts’ three years at The Shops of Century Hall!
B.E.E. by the Bay: A Fine Art Gallery
131 A Main St.
(504) 587 7117
Wed-Sat 10 – 5 | Sun 12 - 4
Change is often met with resistance, but in the case of Becky and Ed Edwards, they jumped on the train and let it take them right to the next stop.
Becky and Ed Edwards, or B.E.E. if you’re more familiar, owned and operated B.E.E. Galleries in New Orleans for 25 years. When the pandemic caused New Orleans businesses to close up shop, Becky and Ed knew it was time for a change of scenery for their business.
The couple moved to Pass Christian several years ago and fell in love with the vibrancy of Bay St. Louis. Becky knew that moving B.E.E. Galleries to Old Town Bay St. Louis was the right thing to do.
Now rebranded as B.E.E. by the Bay: A Fine Art Gallery, many of the same beloved artists still have a home on the gallery’s walls. Larone Hudson, Robin Daning, Gil Owens, Ed Edwards, Bob Ichter and a collection of Pearl and Leather jewelry can be seen, among others. One of the main features of B.E.E. by the Bay is the artwork of New Orleans artist Martin LaBorde. Laborde has been painting his iconic “Bodo” series since the late 1980s and has quite an international following.
You can meet Martin LaBorde at B.E.E. by the Bay Gallery during February’s Second Saturday Artwalk, on February 13, 4 – 7 pm. DJ Ronny T will also be there to provide music and entertainment while visitors view highly collectible artwork and enjoy homemade jambalaya from Skip Negrotto - The Jambalaya Man!
Immerse yourself in the incredible works that B.E.E. by the Bay Gallery has - there’s something for everyone, from the most seasoned art collector to the first-time buyer.