By Sue Moore
It’s hard to figure out how many artists there are in the greater Vicksburg community, since they tend to operate in splendid isolation, according to Kathleen Hoyle, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). She aims to bring them together in an organization she is calling the Arts Collaborative. She believes that will bring some “buzz” to the downtown.
There have been several meetings so far, she said. Each one has brought out artists comprising different media, so Hoyle is optimistic that they can come together as a collaborative venture. They plan to meet every third Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m. to bandy around ideas for workshops and events that will contribute to a vibrant community and make the village a better place to live and work.
Vicksburg has a strong core of assets, the group agreed. Members want the downtown to become an arts destination. To that end, they are working on contracting a part–time arts director to launch a number of initiatives. The efforts include a Collaborative Art Gallery for area artists to exhibit and display their work; integration of arts in area events and additional retail venues; organize new arts events and performances and find additional grants and sponsorships to fund activities.
Artists who wish to obtain more information on exhibiting at the Collaborative Gallery should contact Hoyle at hoyle@chartermi.net. There will also be an informational meeting on the gallery concept to be held on Thursday, July 2 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Rawlinson’s Appliance in downtown Vicksburg. All interested artists are encouraged to attend and bring their ideas and suggestions for the future of this facility.
Hoyle is asking anyone who is interested to join in with the regular Arts Collaborative monthly meetings held at the Community Center and get involved. That would include potters, sculptors, print makers, watercolor artists, graphic artists, jewelry makers and other disciplines, Hoyle said. She can be reached at 649-1919.