What a wonderfully rewarding couple of days it has been at GumTree!!!  Not in a “won the lottery movin’ to Tahiti” kind of way, but wonderfully rewarding none the less.  On Saturday, we paid tribute to a gracious friend and volunteer, the late Mrs. Julia Blakey.  Ryan Curry, Middle School Art Teacher, brought students as his assistants and threw pots on the wheel.  (His bowls you could actually eat soup out of… mine… not so much)  Lynn Barnwell from Hinkle Creek was there throwing beautiful pots, each one different from the last.  Gena Yarbrough created pots from slab and then had the fun prints and stamps that made even the novice feel a master potter.  Beth Gafford, soon to bring a Ceramic Supply store to Tupelo, created her own handbuilt bowls and vessels.  The Salvation Army’s Women’s Auxiliary truly deserve the “army” claim in their title… they swept in with force yielding the most scrumptious goodies for everyone to enjoy.  The Garden Club & our Fabulous Guild of Volunteers had everything looking wonderful.  Friends gathered, they ate and drank and enjoyed the art making process… and hopefully felt a little closer to Julia in the meantime.  It was often said that day by friends and family, “Julia would have loved this”… can you ask for any better ?

On Tuesday evening we opened the Mississippi Art Colony Exhibit sponsored by Kellum Dental Clinic & Staggs Interiors with a public reception.   The work is breathtaking.  You MUST stop by to enjoy the Mississippi treasures that we have on display.  The Mississippi Art Colony is one of the longest running painting groups in America (est. 1948)  This particular exhibit features the work of Tina Lutz & Lucy Gaines, two of our hometown hero artist.  Artists must first be accepted into the Colony, and then their work must be accepted again into this show by the juror.  This exhibit will be up through the end of March.  We surely appreciate Kellum Dental & Staggs for supporting an exhibit that showcases some of the very best Mississippi has to offer.

And if that weren’t enough…….   There are Martinis on the horizon!!!  What better way to wind down a week as busy as this than with “Martini Night at the Museum” (Part II) !  Tony Ford will have the Martinis flowing and the Guild of Volunteers will have the best hor d’oeuvres you have ever put in your mouth!  If you do not already have your tickets, call now!  Your $35 ticket provides your first Martini or Wine and delicious food, fun, & friendship.  Join us for a swell time!

all my best,                                                                                                                                                                                               Kit

We have had such a busy winter so far!!!… and by the looks of our crazy Mississippi winter .. spring seems to be a distant promise.   We are wrapping up loose ends after our fun and fabulous “Blue Tie Affair”.  The evening, by all accounts, was a success.  They came, they danced, they ate delicious food, drank delicious drinks, and partied the night away.  We had a tremendous turn out of 145 people, and I want to give a heart felt thank you to each and everyone that played a roll in the success of our largest fundraiser.  The more time I spend at GumTree the more I realize how much these events are truly dependent on the giving nature of our community and our volunteers.  I also will admit that I so often took for granted the whole motto  “Tupelo is a great place to live.. we have so much to offer.. and on and on”  That we DO!… but I never stopped to realize the work, the volunteer hours and the level of commitment it takes by concerned citizens to create this homegrown, hometown feeling that we so dearly love.  Kudos to you all!  The smallest gestures did not go unnoticed or unappreciated.  It really does “Take a Village to Raise a Museum”.

But, alas, in Museum land the world doesn’t stop turning or take a break.  We are on to new horizons.  February is an action packed month.  I do think it is the month to fall in LOVE with art.  We have some very special dates, one of which is the “Remembering Julia” event on February 26 from 10:00am to 2:00pm.  This event honors Mrs. Julia Blakey, and her gracious spirit.  Julia Blakey was a civic minded volunteer like no other, and for those who were fortunate enough to know her, she was much loved and respected.  We honor her memory by bringing two organizations she cared deeply about together; Salvation Army’s Empty Bowls & GumTree Museum of Art.  Whether you knew her or not, you are invited and welcomed… as Julia would have most definitely insisted.  She was no frills, no fuss, and open arms to all.

all my best,

Kit

We are winding down after our very first “Sip & Shop”!  It was a success, and a joy to celebrate the artists that live in the surrounding areas!  The variety of the artists was a treat… from a handmade sock monkeh to a raku fired piece of pottery, there was something for everyone.  I appreciate all the artists for participating, and the artists and myself appreciated all the shoppers that chose to spend their hard earned dollars locally!  With the economic struggles that we are facing, it is so very important to keep our money in our local economy.  Artists, local businesses, and local employers.. these are the people that we live and work beside, and these are the folks we should support!  They need us more than ever.  There is also great pleasure when you can actually purchase an item.. a gift .. that was crafted by hand.  It is an authentic experience to meet the artist and become apart of their world.  I appreciate each and everyone of the folks that came out and supported the artists and the museum!

… And I can’t say enough thanks, hugs, kisses.. to all the volunteers/ Guild Members/ and hard working Board Members that worked endlessly to make this event a success!  I am always amazed at the generosity of our volunteers, and their desire to make the museum a place for everyone to enjoy.  It truly “takes a village to raise a child” … and a museum!   Kim Deaton organized this event, and did a fabulous job charting unknown territory!  Thank you all!!!

all my best,                                                                                                                                                                        Kit