The upcoming Water Valley Art Crawl is not only a great opportunity for entertaining locals and attracting tourists, but it also provides artists the opportunity to work together. Ole Miss alumnae Allie Hendee and Jerika Broussard and art show curator Andi Bedsworth met at The University of Mississippi Art Department. The three artists will reunite this weekend. “I met Allie and Jerika while I was running the costume shop at the Department of Theatre Arts at the university,” Bedsworth said. “They came in from the art department, as their work was a cross of fashion and art. We worked together on their projects and often hoped of exhibiting together.”
That hope has become a reality, and the women said the Water Valley Art Crawl is a great platform to work with. “The art crawl is a very exciting event, and we want really want people to come together and enjoy and better understand art and its role in our community,” said Annette Trefzer, Ole Miss English professor and member of the Water Valley Arts Association. “There are several former Ole Miss students and people associated with the university associated with Water Valley and the arts there. We are happy to support students from The University of Mississippi and welcome them to the galleries.” Trefzer, a Water Valley resident, co-owns Bozarts Gallery, which was the first gallery in Water Valley. Trefzer will curate the fiber arts show at Bozarts during the art crawl, which will feature Hendee’s sculptural dresses and Broussard’s hats. The name of the show is “Hanging by a Thread.” “When I got the opportunity to curate this show, I jumped at the chance to include Allie and Jerika,” Bedsworth said. Hendee, an Atlanta resident, received a bachelor’s degree in sculpture from Ole Miss, where she wanted to use burlap and other materials to make her clothes. Since Bedsworth worked in the costume department, she helped Hendee with her project. Hendee personally brought her dresses to the gallery, and she hopes to be able to fly back for the show. Broussard, a Biloxi resident, received her degree in graphic design and specialized in hats. Broussard sent her artwork of hats and also hopes to attend the show. The Water Valley Art Crawl, which takes place once a year, will be Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The tour will include 12 stops, all within walking distance of each other. The free event will include refreshments and a display of local artists’ work, as well as allow the public to see into the private world of working artists. At the end of the night, the public is invited to an evening of live music and libations at the Lodge at Rounders Pizza Deli in Water Valley. The artists and galleries participating this year include Catherine Tollison, Jared Spears, Bozarts Gallery, J. Clayton’s Eclectic Arts, among others.
