I’m honored to say that a new scholarly article, based on the research undertaken last year at IASH in Edinburgh, has now been published by the International Journal of Intangible Heritage. Based in South Korea, the IJIH is a key journal for scholars interested in the issues, case studies, and policies regarding intangible cultural heritage, and regularly features current debates and questions in the field.

This research, on the Scottish haar, will hopefully be of use to researchers interested in a variety of topics — the cultural/natural synthesis, ephemerality, and place-based approaches to heritage. I’m glad to say that none of the articles are behind a paywall — they’re all available to the public for download.

Pelican Bomb has a review of Dalt Wonk’s recent book, French Quarter Fables — perfect summertime reading (which, here in New Orleans, lasts until October).

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.

South on Main, the Oxford American‘s new restaurant in their Little Rock headquarters, is opening this week! More details here.

I’m incredibly honored to serve as the new artist-in-residence at the Walter Anderson Museum of Art next month, from August 5-10. It’s going to be a wonderful week in Ocean Springs: with a combination of writing new poems based on Anderson’s drawings and paintings, a panel discussion on interarts relations with other artists inspired by his work, and a writing workshop and public reading held on-site, the days could not be fuller or richer — nor, working in the shadow of an artist who has been an inspiration since the very first days I could read or write, more humbling.

More details are available here for the time being, and will be available soon at the WAMA website; the week is made possible by the support of the Mississippi Arts Commission and SouthArts. For any in the Gulf Coast area who are interested in joining the workshop, please do contact the museum directly.