Events at Walter Anderson Museum of Art

We’re underway with the summer residency at the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, and the details for the weekend’s events are now set. For any in the Gulf Coast area, from New Orleans to Mobile or anywhere in between, we’d love to see you at any or all of these events:

• Friday, August 9, 5.30 – 7.00pm: panel discussion on inter-arts relations. WAMA will host a discussion on the influence of Anderson’s work on other arts, featuring four panelists: watercolorist and Anderson’s daughter Mary Anderson, artist and educator Patt Odom, painter and printmaker Stig Marcussen, and myself. This event will be moderated by Dr Philip Levin, author and chair of the board of the museum, and will include light refreshments.

• Saturday, August 10, 9.30am – 4.30pm: writing workshop featuring Anderson’s works. This class is being offered to adults from beginner to experienced writing levels. Students will write poetry, short fiction, and nonfiction inspired by the world of Walter Anderson. This class has a limited number of spots, which are going fast– the workshop is almost full! There is a small fee to join; for more information or to reserve a spot, email the museum at development@walterandersonmuseum.org or call 228-872-3164.

• Saturday, August 10, 6.00 – 8.00pm: reception and public reading. The residency will conclude with a reception and public reading, co-sponsored by the Gulf Coast Writers Association. I’ll be reading the new works created during the residency, and workshop participants will also be given a chance to present their works — taking place in the Ocean Springs Community Center, surrounded by Anderson’s breathtaking murals, it should be a fantastic evening. Like the Friday night event, this will be free and include light refreshments.

All events will be held at the museum in Ocean Springs, at 510 Washington Avenue. As you can see, it’s going to be a wonderful weekend. Thanks to the Mississippi Arts Commission, South Arts, and the GWCA for their sponsorship — without which none of it would be happening. Hope to see you there.