By Kristen Brandt, Arts Industry Director

After two years of holidays spent at home during the pandemic’s peak, the chance to participate in festivities out in the broader world is too tempting to resist! The first thing on my list is always to scout out Christmas gifts—how can I relax until everyone is taken care of?? I’m fortunate that Mississippi is brimming with creative artists who populate the art markets and festivals with original artwork and handicrafts.

For this reason, I never miss the annual Chimneyville Arts Festival hosted at the Mississippi Craft Center in Ridgeland, MS. This year was no exception. I was not disappointed by the excellent turnout of member artists from across the South who brought handwoven textiles, carved wooden vessels, wheel-thrown pottery, and handmade jewelry, among many other interesting creations. If it didn’t ruin my recipients’ surprise, I would share a photo of my gift haul, but you’ll just have to take my word for it. If you missed Chimneyville this year, you can still visit the Craft Center gift shop to pick up something totally unique to satisfy that hard-to-shop-for person in your life!

The absolute highlight of my holidays so far was the Silent Light Festival hosted this past weekend at the Walter Anderson Museum of Art. The festival transformed the museum’s entire campus into a winter wonderland. The projected light displays illuminated the natural beauty of downtown Ocean Springs, and phasing colors turned both tree canopies and buildings alike into new works of art. The night was silent as advertised. Visitors enjoyed live music at the outdoor stage, and DJs who performed inside the Ocean Springs Community Center all piped directly into visitors’ wireless headphones. The event featured musical performances, silhouetted dancers, street performers, an interactive light stage, an outdoor sculpture garden, local food, and the opportunity to visit Walter Anderson’s exhibits, which currently include a temporary exhibit featuring the works of Andrew Bucci.

Watching the lights pan across the buildings became a new way to experience the art of one of Mississippi’s most influential visual artists as the flora and fauna of the Gulf Coast came to life. Birds flitted to nest in trees that branched and grew taller before your eyes as fishes and turtles floated through invisible currents, all tied together by the beat and rhythm of Brooks Hubbard and DJ Logic. I cannot begin to fathom the complexity of creating something like this. Still, I can truly appreciate the feat that this team accomplished in the execution of this dynamic event.

I have a few more holiday activities scoped out this season, including a night at New Stage Theatre, where you can catch their holiday musical performance of The Sound of Music (running now through December 21). I also plan on attending the Stories of Christmas concert, which the Mississippi Chorus will present on December 17. But in case I don’t see you there, I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!