Host families from Little Rock, Ark., welcome artists from Hancock County at the airport prior to the "Heart for Art" event at the William J. Clinton Presidential Library. (Photo courtesy of Gwen Impson)
How many people can say that they have had the opportunity to visit the new William J. Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Ark.? One better, how many people can say that they have had the opportunity to exhibit and sell their artwork in the Clinton Library?
Well, as of last Saturday, 20 members of The ARTS, Hancock County, Mississippi, can claim that honor. These 20 artists represent the many talented artists in Bay St. Louis, Waveland, and Hancock County, Miss.
If you recall, the “Hearts for Art” event was scheduled for Feb.18 but was called off at the last minute because of an ice storm. Claire Haun, intrepid organizer of the event, was able to reschedule it for March 11. That was quite a coup since the library’s Great Hall is booked up years in advance.
Anyway, 18 of the artists were able to go back to Little Rock for the event. I was one of them and will attempt to describe the whirlwind weekend. Most of us flew up, thanks to generous Little Rock sponsors, and were met by our host families. These were the same folks who so generously opened their homes to us three weeks earlier. It was like old home week as we hugged and greeted one another.
We were whisked off to the Clinton Library, treated to lunch, then set to work unpacking the artwork and arranging it on easels and pedestals. That done, we left with our host families. Later that evening, we all gathered for a potluck supper.
On Saturday, we were given a tour of the Arkansas Arts Center followed by a lovely lunch. We presented Claire with a Mignon Faget broach and earrings as a thank you for all of her stupendous efforts in, not only planning this event, but also finding funding for every aspect.
After lunch, we scattered. I went out to the University of Arkansas where I had the opportunity to meet A. J. Smith and toured his printmaking studio. What a treat! That was followed by a visit to an arts supply store, then a bookstore where I bought three art books and two cookbooks. I cannot tell you how much I appreciated these simple, normal activities that are no longer normal for us.
Dressing up for the evening’s event was fun – high heels aren’t, so I brought along a pair of flat sandals. We are so used to seeing each other in our coast garb where nothing really fits or matches, that it was a surprise to see make-up and sparkling outfits. Hey, we clean up pretty good. (Speaking of cleaning up, long hot tub baths were an unbelievable luxury after living in a trailer with its minuscule shower for months now.)
What can I say about the evening – it was magic. The champagne, food, flowers and live music made for a Cinderella-like ball. Guests arrived, looked at our artwork, asked questions and bought artwork.
By the end of the evening, we had sold 60 percent of the artwork on display, six artists sold all the pieces they brought, two signed with new galleries, major contacts were forged for future shows and the inaugural springboard event to bring a devastated art community back to its feet was a huge success.
Additionally, The Wingate Charitable Foundation awarded The ARTS a $20,000 grant to produce a museum quality catalogue to document and preserve the past and future art history of Hancock County. This catalogue will be sold at the traveling shows throughout the year and will be off the press by the end of the month.
So, I think we are off to a really great start!
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Gwen, i'm glad ya'll had a good time.....for a change...but shoot dem high heels ...sure.make a lady look good .....best of wishes
andy,ms (Sent Mar 16, 2006 8:18:50 PM)
Gwen, your posting is an incredible example of what I am seeing here in Bay St. Louis. I arrived Sunday evening and am living in a trailer in the parking lot of the Chamber of Commerce, hoping to help with some longer-range projects that right now just can't be given priority status because of all the immediate needs that must be addressed.
There is such a conflicting reality here for visitors like me. We see the display of great courage, optimism, determination, and perseverance, like the artists devoted to rebuuilding the arts community in Bay St. Louis displayed at the Clinton Library.
But we also can't help feeling ashamed and disappointed in the federal response to this tragedy, as we pass by the piles of debris in the yards and streets, and see our fellow Americans still living in tents--AFTER SEVEN MONTHS--in Pearlington.
It is a combination of both of these sights, when mixed with one's personal faith, that I believe keep people coming here--and coming back--to help.
My weekend plans initially included a fishing trip. But after five days here, I would rather spend Saturday in Pearlington doing whatever needs to be done at the Presbyterian relief camp before returning Monday to the trailer to work on some leadership development strategies for the community. I will save my fishing trip for one of my return visits--after the work gets done. It will take years here to rebuild, but I look forward to being here and seeing the artist community thriving once again.
Mike Busch, Indiana (Sent Mar 16, 2006 10:30:04 PM)
Wow...what a heartwarming story!! Makes me wish I could have been there to experience such generosity and love! God bless you Ms. Haun. You are truly one of God's angels here on Earth ;-)
Theresa Mack, Germantown, MD (Sent Mar 17, 2006 12:47:59 PM)
Gwen, sounds like you had a productive trip! And all of you look good in the photo; thanks for sharing it. And a thanks to the Clinton Library for helping out!
Stephanie Umbro, Maine (Sent Mar 17, 2006 7:42:53 PM)
YEAH!! This has to be one of my favorite stories yet, why I m so proud of all the artist that attended the event. Claire Haun you rock, your insight and assistance in this matter as always is fabulous! Gwen keep up the great job of leading all of the artist back to working and selling their art. To David Sallis what a webmaster you are, the site looks great! Wish I were there to celebrate in the conqusest. Missing all of the artist and events in Hancock County, MS
Schonda Sweeney (Sent Mar 18, 2006 5:01:13 PM)
Congratulations !Mrs.Claire Haun ,there is no doubt in my mind,you have a fantastic sense of organisation + a great heart...Lucky,there is so many wonderful people like you,in the world !Our best wishes from Canada---to these "unique"artists who are persevering in their art!
Francine.T.Ducharme,Montreal,Canada (Sent Mar 19, 2006 1:12:46 PM)
I am so happy you all got to go. You needed it, and I needed to read about it. Art is an important part of a civilized world, and getting all dressed up is too! I wish you continued success.
Jane, Southern Mississippi (Sent Mar 19, 2006 7:27:15 PM)
As one of the host families for the "Katrina Artists," I want to say that this beautiful event that Claire planned was a blessing to us all. I dare say that all of the host families had made generous contributions to the disaster relief and had done what we could to be of assistance immediately after the storm. However, this event gave us an opportunity to meet the "Katrina victims" face to face and to get to know them. We found that there were no victims here - only wonderful, talented people with the indominable spirit that makes America great. Our lives are much richer for having spent the time with them. We love them all!
Jan Scholl, North Little Rock, Arkansas (Sent Mar 20, 2006 2:35:30 PM)
As a graduate of Gulf Park College in the 50's, I spent a number of years enjoying the Gulf Coast, the wonderful people, the cultural aspects of the area and the strength of the community. I had the opportunity to be there following Camille working with a group from Washington, DC and saw the coast rise again. I know it will happen once more in my lifetime. The "Hearts For Arts" program was a grand idea and from what I have gathered, Claire Haun must be a special angel sent from above to bring together so much talent and oversee such a successful event. God Bless All Of You.
Judie Silbermann, Wilson, NC (Sent Mar 21, 2006 10:34:42 PM)
My husband is from Bay St. Louis, and we were very fortunate to be at this event. It was truly a privilege to participate in an evening that helped redefine the grief and loss that we have felt into hope for the future of one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Paula Matthews-deBuys, Fayetteville, AR (Sent Mar 22, 2006 7:24:11 PM)
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