Today, A Studio in the Woods will be hosting a commemoration service and celebration of the life of Lucianne Carmichael (1931-2016), one of the founders of the Studio and a beloved artist, advocate, and educator in New Orleans. A lovely obituary ran in the Times-Picayune after her passing; today’s ceremony, which will begin at 3pm for any in the area who would like to attend, will feature public tributes and a reception in her memory. Come early to park.

I’m honored and delighted to be speaking this week with Richelle Putnam on her show “Looking Back,” hosted by 103.3 supertalk.fm, talking about Hattiesburg history and all its many twists and turns. A consummate raconteuse and expert on all things Lauderdale County and east Mississippi, Richelle is among the most gracious of hosts and ever a pleasure to speak to. The show airs live this coming Tuesday, January 24, at 9am.

Pelican Bomb has a review of Maude Schuyler Clay’s exhibit Mississippi History currently up at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans. If you’re able to make it in, or find the book of the same name, do.

Pelican Bomb has a short essay on the Gentilly Resilience District, a new urban planning scheme in New Orleans. With all the rain we’ve been getting lately, construction cannot start too soon…

This coming weekend, November 12, is the Studio in the Woods’ annual fundraiser, FORESTival, and I’m thrilled to be joining poets Cassie Pruyn, Gina Ferrara, and Stacey Balkun for a series of pop-up poetry readings over the course of the day. Each poet will read before and between musical acts, including local favorites Sweet Crude and Johnny Angel, presenting works on landscape and place. Running from 11am to 5pm, the festival is free with a small donation suggested. More information is available on the ASITW website, or in an interview on “Inside the Arts” on WWNO radio. And for those who have never visited, the bottomland hardwood forest of the lower coast is the perfect place to spend an autumn day.