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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 
The annual Frida Fest - produced without any government funding - attracts hundreds of people to Bay St. Louis each year, with a year-round slow-burn positive impact.
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. 
Vasti Jackson performing at Alice Moseley Pavilion during the free Downhome Blues Music concert in September.
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.
Regan Carney
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.
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