Page 82 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2018

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A PLACE FOR YOUNG ARTISTS AT FESTIVAL
STORY BY SUSAN RUDDIMAN PHOTOS BY DONN HUPP
For the fourth year, the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce-Main Street- Tourism Bureau has partnered with the Walter Anderson Museum of Art (WAMA) to offer the Young at Art opportunity.
The positive experience for the participating young people proves the Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival is not just for adult artists.
“My vision was to create a place
in the festival where kids have a chance to showcase and sell their art. This gives them an opportunity to experience what it’s like to be an artist at the festival,” said Cynthia Dobbs Sutton, Chamber executive director.
Youth ages 8 through 18 are invited to set up on the front lawn of WAMA at 510 Washington Ave.
“We don’t charge them for their space,” said Corey Christy, head of development at WAMA.
In 2015, the Young at Art exhibit took up six tables. It has since grown to around 25 tables scattered around the grounds.
“I’ve participated for the past
two years,” said Olivia Arnold of Vancleave.“Lots of doors opened for me as a result of the Young at Art opportunity.”
A self-taught artist, Olivia sold some of her acrylic paintings the first year she participated, but she learned from that experience about what to make the following year.“I figured out my audience, and what was selling.
I had between 30 and 40 paintings, and they all sold my second year,” she said. She won’t be returning to Young at Art because she’s now a freshman at the University of Mississippi majoring in elementary education. She plans to earn a master’s degree in fine art so she can continue her artwork.
Jacob Manning set up his first Young at Art table at WAMA with a friend two years ago. The 11-year-old Ocean Springs Upper Elementary student will be returning this year selling reindeer wall hangings made from local palms. He is a student of local art teacher Carmen Lugo.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the kids, and I am very appreciative they have Young at Art,” Jacob’s mother, Amy Manning, said.
82 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • October 2018
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