Water Valley to Celebrate Creativity at 16th Annual Art Crawl
Water Valley is gearing up for an exciting evening that will showcase local artistry, historic homes, and engaging community spirit! Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 19 from 6 to 9 p.m., as the Water Valley Main Street Association hosts its 16th annual Art Crawl. This year promises to be a wonderful occasion for art enthusiasts and casual admirers alike to mingle with talented artists and explore vibrant local businesses.
What to Expect
This year’s art crawl features 14 exciting stops through the town, including homes and businesses that will open their doors to visitors. At each stop, attendees will have the chance to not only admire the artwork on display but also chat with the creators behind them!
Katelynn Dillard, co-chair of the event and owner of Mulberry Lane Resale Shoppe, expressed her excitement: “What’s really fun about the Water Valley Art Crawl is that it features both locally owned and operated businesses as well as historic homes. You get to see artists’ workspaces, their personal collections of art from other artists as well as their own art featured in their own homes.” With such a unique blend of locations, attendees can experience art in both creative and traditional settings.
The Notable Stops
The first stop on the crawl, The Blue Melon Rendezvous, is a gallery dedicated to experimental artists, led by the fabulous Mari Foster. Moving on, the Magnolia Coffee Company (stop #2) promises a delightful experience where guests can enjoy live musical performances alongside spooky stories about legendary musician Robert Johnson.
At stop #3, Bozarts Gallery will feature nine visual artists of mixed media and include a captivating harpist! Interestingly enough, this gallery was established by University of Mississippi English professor Annette Trefzer, a founding member of the art crawl.
Don’t miss stop #4, the vibrant Cat Head House, home to Kate Donovan and Leslie Joblin. This unique residence was even featured in the June issue of Better Homes & Gardens thanks to its striking color scheme and decor style!
For flower lovers, stop #5, GG’s Flowers and Gifts, offers unique home decor items, while stop #6, the Water Valley Main Street Association office, will showcase the lovely works of renowned Mississippi quilter, Coulter Fussell.
Historic Homes and Talented Artists
Next, we move to stop #7, the Creekmore House, where writers and poets once roamed. This stop will feature a quilter, a ceramicist, and a sculptural artist. Following this, the Grapefruit House (stop #8) invites visitors in to meet Macon Humphries and Graham Hamaker, who run the grapefruit clothing company and will feature four talented artists at their home.
The Stitchery (stop #9) is a newly opened needlepoint shop that will transform into a mini fiber art market, showcasing three incredible artists specializing in quilting, abstract embroidery, and crochet. As we move further along, TIN (stop #10) will feature photographer Alan Messer, famous for photographing legends like John Lennon and Bob Marley, along with sculptor Tori Smith.
Don’t forget about stops #11 and #12, featuring the Courthouse Cafe where painter Susan Tamboli will be present, and the studio of artist Jonathan Kent Adams.
As for Dillard’s own stop, Mulberry Lane Resale Shoppe will proudly showcase artist Robbin Whitfield, who is not only a talented watercolor artist but also a naturalist and kayaker who creates her pigments using natural materials. “She makes her own natural pigments and paints with them in the swamp using the natural paints, and that’s her work that we’ll be featuring,” Dillard shared.
The Final Stop and After-Party
Last but definitely not least, stop #14 leads us to the McDaniel Made Workshop. Co-chaired by artist Justin McDaniel, this stop will house two painters and feature a special watercolor map created by McDaniel himself describing all the crawl’s locations.
As the night wraps up, the festivities don’t end! An after-party from 9 to 10:30 p.m. at the Courthouse Commons will feature local band “The All Tore Up,” led by UM Biology Professor Steve Brewer, providing lively tunes to celebrate the night.
The best part? This entire experience is free for everyone! The Water Valley Art Crawl is open to all ages, and Katelynn Dillard encourages attendees to engage with the artists. “It’s all about just a free community event… People throughout the evening are welcome and encouraged to talk with the artists, get to know them and their work, and select something to support them.”
Don’t miss out on this chance to immerse yourself in art, history, and community spirit! Come find your favorite piece and discover the artists behind the magic on Saturday, October 19.
