ANNE McKEE: Step out to Saturday morning Meridian Art Walk

Published 2:46 pm Thursday, November 1, 2018

Historic Union Station in Meridian, which is situated along the cobbled sidewalk of Front Street, is the backdrop, where the arts will reign supreme on Saturday. Yes, those right-sided, brained folks will flock to Meridian Art Walk on this day to display their creations and the crowds who follow them will admire artists who ooze creativity.

As stated on the Meridian Art Walk Facebook page:

The creation of Meridian Art Walk is to bring individuals into the heart of our ever developing downtown area and feel individually connected to arts in Meridian. Our hope is to nurture greater community connections through the arts and expand arts into our daily lives.

One of the movers and shakers of the effort, Theresa Gonzales said, “Meridian Art Walk began as an afterthought following a Halloween event in 2016 at Elegance Ballroom. It was Cary Haycox, Michelle Reynolds and me. We were talking about Meridian history and other art events and so the first Meridian Art Walk had its first event in May 2016.”

As with each beginning event, Meridian Art Walk has had growing pains – some things worked and some didn’t but to the credit of the Art Walk dedicated volunteers, no one has ever looked back, just marched forward along the arts pathway.

And why not? Our community is rich with creativity as is the entire State of Mississippi. My mind says, strut it, claim it, nurture it, and promote it and that is exactly what Meridian Art Walk is all about. The event continued during 2017 and now with November 2018 Art Walk Event as the final one of the year, Meridian Art Walk is well on its way.

Partnerships throughout the City have proved invaluable to the art event’s success. There are so many who have played immense roles: MUM, MMA, The Hulett, Taste of Thai, Go Green Meridian, Earth’s Bounty, Elegance Ballroom, Temple Theatre, City of Meridian (Laura Carmichael) and others.

On Saturday, the artwork displayed and on sale will not disappoint. The genres are varied and will appeal to all art patrons. Included are Thomas Burton’s Photography of Life, Patrick Harper’s Photography & Art, Jan Cade’s, Gypsy Moon Suitcase, Teresa Lynn, Author of “A Murder in Vicksburg,” Clay Hamilton’s, Simple Honest Snapshots, Daniel Clyde Ethridge’s Fuzzfur Pottery, Sharline’s Artsy Creations, Cary Haycox’s Inkstick Art, S & G Jewelry by Sarah Kilpatrick, Mandy Murphy’s The Odd Magnolia, Barbara Hensel Matthews, D & B Jewelry, plus a few surprises.

Oh, and while browsing Meridian Art Walk, look to the east and there you will find Earth’s Bounty, where local growers and food producers sell their fresh veggies and southern cooks come out to sell delish one-of-a-kind baked goods. As well you will find locally harvested honey, beautiful plants and enjoy cooking demonstrations, kids’ activities and music.

Theresa added, “Meridian Art Walk is looking forward to building relationships and expanding arts exposure by partnering with our schools, businesses and community organizations and individual artists from stage to paint, sculpture to music, for the future of Meridian Art Walk and arts throughout our city.”

And as for me, I believe that there could possibly be a few storytellers as well in the future for Meridian Art Walk, because well, storytelling is the oldest art form known to man – before cave drawings, there were families sitting around a fire telling stories.

Anne McKee is a Mississippi historian, writer and storyteller. She is listed on the Mississippi Humanities Speakers Bureau and Mississippi Arts Commission’s Performing Artist and Teaching Artist Rosters. See her web site: www.annemckeestoryteller.com.

Want to go:

• What: Meridian Art Walk and Earth’s Bounty.

• Date & Time: Saturday, Nov. 3, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Place: Front Street, downtown Meridian.