News Release

Local artists to showcase their works at Celebration of Arts

Hernando, May 2, 2003 - HERNANDO — More than 21 artists will have their work on display at the “Celebration of Art” on the historic Hernando Square Saturday, and Kaye Harrison, director of the Artist Network of North Mississippi, said the public will get a firsthand look at the stunning collection local artists have to offer.

“We’re excited about the Celebration of Art, and we appreciate the efforts of the members of the Garden Club and Hernando Woman’s Club to exhibit our work at the library’s new addition,” Harrison said. “I am really proud of the caliber of artists that we have here in the DeSoto County area and we have worked hard over the past year to elevate our level of expertise.
“We think that level of artistic excellence is reflected in the pieces of art that the general public will see,” she said.
The art display will be located in the entrance foyer and second floor of the library and also features string music and refreshments. The event begins in the art gallery at the First Regional Library at 5 p.m. Carriage rides will be offered throughout the evening and will ferry those attending to and from the library and other venues around the Square.
“We feel it’s a tremendous honor that we can be a part of revitalizing the city of Hernan-do,” she said. The Hernando Woman’s Club has been working to spruce up the square and restore the city’s clock.
Proceeds from the silent auction will go toward an endowment fund for the Historic DeSoto Foundation. Among the auction items will be a signed Michael Manness print and an autographed copy of a photo of the cast from “Friends,” provided by Entergy in New Orleans and the auspices of customer service manager Pat Nelson in Southaven.
Tickets to the Celebration of Art are $60 and may be purchased from any Hernando Woman’s Club member, the Hernando Chamber of Commerce and the DeSoto Times.
A silent auction conducted by the Historic DeSoto Foundation will be held inside the DeSoto County Courthouse. The Rene Koopman Jazz Combo from Memphis will entertain in the Jim Seay Courtyard behind the Maddox Foundation. Timbeaux’s on the Square is catering the event.
The event is being sponsored by The Hernando Woman’s Club, The Hernando Chamber of Commerce, Trustmark Bank and BancorpSouth, Historic DeSoto Foundation, DeSoto Arts Council and the DeSoto Times.

ROBERT LEE LONG/Community Editor