Meet the Masters

THE MISSISSIPPI MUSEUM OF ART BRINGS FRENCH MASTER ARTISTS VAN GOGH, MONET, DEGAS AND MORE TO JACKSON.

WRITTEN BY MICHAELA GIBSON MORRIS | IMAGES PROVIDED BY THE MISSISSIPPI MUSEUM OF ART

The Mississippi Museum of Art has opened a window into the world of French impressionists.

“Van Gogh, Monet, Degas and Their Times” includes 74 works from 19th- and 20th-century French masters originally collected by Paul and Rachel “Bunny” Mellon. In addition to the impressionists, the exhibit includes pieces from Cezanne, Gauguin, Manet and Rousseau. Visitors will be able to see the brush strokes and, in some pieces, observe how the painters overpainted images to change the composition.

“I love that the exhibit offers such an intimate experience,” said Betsy Bradley, Mississippi Museum of Art director. “The Mellons lived with these pieces, and you can get up close.”

This is the first time the Mellon Collection of French Art has been exhibited outside the Virginia Museum of Fine Art since the Mellons donated the collection, Bradley said. The traveling exhibit will be in Jackson through Jan. 11.

The Mellons began collecting 19th-century French art in the 1940s. The opening images of the exhibition were chosen to reflect Mrs. Mellon’s love of gardening and Mr. Mellon’s love of horses and horse racing, according to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Advance tickets are encouraged as pandemic guidelines restrict how many people can be in the gallery at one time, Bradley said. Visitors will need to have a mask. Continued on page 84

Edouard Manet (1832–1883), “On the Beach,” Boulogne-sur-Mer, 1868. Oil on canvas, 123/4 x 26 inches. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, 85.498. Image © Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841–1919), “Pensive (La Songeuse),” 1875. Oil on paper on canvas, 181/8 x 15 inches. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, 83.47. Image © Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Berthe Morisot (1841-1895), “Young Woman Watering a Shrub,” 1876. Oil on canvas, 141/2 x 181/4 inches. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond. Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, 83.40. Image © Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Paul Gauguin (1848-1903), “Still Life with Oysters,” 1876. Oil on canvas, 21 x 361/4 inches. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond. Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, 83.23. Image © Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), “The Wheat Field behind St. Paul’s Hospital,” St. Remy, 1889. Oil on canvas, 91/2 x 123/4 inches. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond. Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, 83.26. Image © Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Continued on page 86

Edgar Degas (1834-1917), “Little Dancer Aged Fourteen,” model executed 1880 (cast in 1922). Bronze, cloth skirt with tutu and satin hair ribbon, 381/2 x 141/2 x 141/4 inches. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond. State Operating Fund and the Art Lovers’ Society, 45.22.1. Image © Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Edgar Degas (1834–1917), “At the Races: Before the Start,” ca. 1885-1892. Oil on canvas, 151/2 x 35 inches. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond. Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, 85.496. Image © Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Claude Monet (1840–1926), “Field of Poppies,” Giverny, 1885. Oil on canvas, 235/8 x 283/4 inches. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond. Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, 85.499. Image © Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Continued on page 88

Van Gogh, Monet, Degas and Their Times at the Mississippi Museum of Art

Now through Jan. 11 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday 10-11 a.m. senior hour Tuesday-Thursday Tickets and information: msmuseumart.org Advance tickets encouraged Masks required Admission: $15 a person; $13 for seniors and groups of 10 or more; $10 for college students with school ID. Free for members and children under 5. Free for K-12 students on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Henri Rousseau (1844-1910), “Tropical Landscape,” 1910. Oil on canvas, 443/4 x 64 inches. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond. Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, 84.3. Image © Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Paul Cezanne (1839-1906), “Victor Chocquet,” 1877. Oil on canvas, 137/8 x 103/4 inches. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond. Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, 83.14. Image © Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Claude Monet (1840–1926), “Camille at the Window,” Argenteuil, 1873. Oil on canvas, 233/4 x 195/8 in. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond. Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, 85.38. Image © Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

SHOW ME A PAIR SKEET SHOOT

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

Both fun and fundraising were the goal of Show Me a Pair Skeet Shoot event, held Sept. 26 in Shannon. Shooters, who were encouraged to wear pink, vied for prizes while also helping to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

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1. Levin Darsey with E.J. and Easton Pollard 2. Gary, Lisa and William Holcomb with Gary Hall 3. Brady and Casey Bruce with Brett Johnson and Dalton Hall 4. Christy Hilt, Donna Davis and Jennifer James 5. Phil Goldsmith, Tony Shackleford, Donny Kisner, Will Dodson and Danny Cash 6. Jacob Loper, Cole Magers, Justin Gleason and John Dabbs 7. Richard Tucker, Paul Hood, John David and Jonathan Hagood 8. Terrell Davis and Kristy Crawford

CROSSTOWN CLASSIC

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ROSEMARY FRUGE

The Oxford High School Chargers and the Lafayette High School Commodores played the annual Crosstown Classic football game Sept. 13 at OHS. Oxford bested Lafayette with a score of 33-22.

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1. Ella Shelton, McCala Kilpatrick, Reese Carwile, Emma Hayes Roberts and Gabbie Hunter 2. Robert and Ashley Perry with Kara and Cody Giles 3. David and Chris Sparks with Taylor Brunning 4. Mia Helsel and Hannah Harper 5. Sean Boney and Caitlyn Rhea 6. Tom and Leigh Tucker 7. Sharp and Slay Smith with Rob Upchurch 8. Inda and Shayne Linzy

HISTORIC MARKER UNVEILING

PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

Baldwyn natives George Wardlaw and Elijah Pierce were honored Sept. 17 with the unveiling of historic markers. The marker for Wardlaw, an artist and art educator, is at Third and Clayton streets in Baldwyn; the Pierce marker is at West Water and Third. Pierce was a renowned wood carver.

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1. Odessa Ingram and Mary Catherine Smith 2. Cleavon Smith, Johnny Agnew and Ashton Martin 3. John Haynes, Brother Rogers and Charity Blackwell 4. Michael James, Cynthia Mink, Edwina Carpenter and Lori Tucker 5. Anthony Moore and Beverly Eckford

VETERANS MEMORIAL GOLF

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

The eighth annual Veterans Memorial Golf Tournament took place Oct. 2 at the Natchez Trace Golf Club in Saltillo. The event raises money to support the Mississippi State Veterans Home in Oxford, Wounded Warriors and veterans in need of assistance.

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1. Nick Armstrong, Trey Trapp, Michael Hodges and Craig Horrocks 2. Chip Peterson, Jim Bowen, Jerry Enis and Greg Jones 3. Terry Pence, David Martin, William Cook and Tim White 4. Neil White, Pat Murphy, James Billingsley and Bill Breen 5. Sandy Joyner with Chick and Ken Gentry and William Darby 6. Deandre Eiland and Tyler Cook 7. Vinny Pacetti, Paul Phillips, Adam Morgan and Miles Patton

9/11 DAY OF SERVICE

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

Volunteers honored first responders from Oxford, Lafayette County and the University of Mississippi with the annual 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance. Though they did not gather for an in-person event, first responders were treated to a drive-thru lunch at the Coach Howell Activity Center.

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1. Caitlin Bettinger and Craig Goodwin 2. Mary L. Johnson and Joan Vick 3. Arledia Bennett and Brent Larson 4. John Jarrett and Ora Baker 5. Mary Jarett and Joan Vick with Gay and Steve Case and John Davis 6. Mary Lou Conner and Rita Carli

CORINTH HOMECOMING

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY WHITNEY WORSHAM

The Corinth High School Homecoming Parade, with lots of entries and decorated floats, wound through downtown Corinth Sept. 25. The parade route was extended this year to allow paradegoers to spread out safely.

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1. Aaireyon Hicks, Diamond Wofford and Kito Windom 2. Penny Long with Clark and Griffin Carmichiel 3. Lauren Beech, Rachel Williams and Madison Gates 4. Jay Huggins, Mimi Williams, Ansley Tyson and Jack Taylor 5. Stacie, Belle and Brian Mitchell 6. Cathy MCullen, Cate Corrigan and John Haynes 7. Hope Mercier, Alesha Harris and Ayanna Ester 8. Jed and Julia James 9. Christian, Pearce and Clay Albarracin 10. Missy and Isabella Boyd 11. Wendy and Alli Shinault 12. Will Wayne and Lauren Phillips 13. Maggie Green and Pierce Peterson

HOMECOMING continued

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A NIGHT AT THE BARN

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

The Sept. 19 “A Night at the Barn” event in Mantachie featured wine, hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and more to benefit Stone Stories Ministry, whose mission is to deliver the love of Christ through living testimony and mentoring to women who are in bondage, both physically and mentally.

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1. Kelly Williams and Kori Thomas 2. Valerie Garner, Rhonda Ryan and Tess Mattox 3. Julie and Connie Ward with Jackie Tutor and Holly Henson 4. Suzanna and Lili Thomas 5. Tammy Lee with Lori and Leah Beth Vinson 6. Amanda Malagoli, Bridget Thorn and Gabby Isbell 7. Van Russell and Georgia Miller

KINDNESS BOUQUETS

PHOTOGRAPHED BY OXFORD GARDEN CLUB

As part of their ongoing Random Acts of Kindness bouquet project, members of the Oxford Garden Club arrange and deliver surprise floral bouquets to community members who work as pharmacists, teachers, school administrators, VA home workers and local healthcare professionals.

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1. Baker and Charlie Quick 2. Sherry Moore, Brandy Gossett and Thomas Tillman 3. Reid Laney and Leslie Orrell 4. Mary Madeleine Koury, Lesley Walkington, Brandall Laughlin and Shellie Carr 5. Susan Turnage 6. George Forrest 7. Adair Laney, Jennifer Russell and Brynnen Quick

FULTON LADIES SCRAMBLE

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

A group of women golfers gathered at Fulton Country Club Sept. 19 for a twoperson scramble outing. Winners of the championship flight were Cindy Googe and Kim Wade.

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1. Natalie Kellum, Janice Graham, Kim Walker and Paula Kellum 2. Kim Wade, Marsha Eaton, Teresa McNeece and Cindy Googe 3. Lara Evans, Angie Henry, Sara Nelms and Bailey Oswalt 4. Susan Fowlkes, Bernice Smith, Wanda Brassfield and Debbie Tate 5. Michelle Williams, Marsha Godwin, Maddie Moore and Janet Hamilton 6. Savannah Griffin, Paula Porter, Lib Griffin and Terri Faulkner 7. Roxi Tucker, Mary Sue Boggs, Kallen Donald and Laken Osbirn 8. Lauron Dunlap, Miranda Chapman, Heather Franks, Patsy Polson, Lauron Nichols and Cora Polson

OUTDOOR DINING

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY ABBEY EDMONSON

Several downtown Oxford restaurants have created outdoor dining areas in parking spaces, thanks to the approval of a resolution by the Board of Aldermen. Among the eateries are The Annex, Tangos, St. Leo, Round Table, Rafters, McEwens, Funky’s, Julep Steakhouse and City Grocery.

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1. Corrie and David Reed 2. Ashton and Thomas Werfel 3. Debbie and Lyle Reagan 4. Morgan, Melissa and Ben Williams 5. Jim and Ann Greenlee 6. Joey Little and Levi Bramlett 7. Martha and Mike Hess

OUT & ABOUT

Hunger Coalition Community Lunch

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Oxford Community Tennis Association

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Tupelo Teacher of Distinction Awards

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1. Morgan Fisher, Kami Weatherly, Heather Grisham and Debbie Baxter 2. Will Pannell, Luke Switcher, Samantha Turner and Anistynn Parr 3. Valerie Garner, Beth Cleveland and Marissa Polf with Melissa and Asia Parr 4. Allison Koestler, Vicki Ferguson, Don Fruge, Allyson Dyer, Cora Brusevold and Terri Le 5. Cicely Warren, Katherine Holland, Marcie Koehn, Lesley Godown, Yolanda Randle, Renata Hughes, Carla Brooks and Melissa Bowker 6. Aurora and Jason Glidewell 7. Briggs and Jim Roberts 8. Sonya Marby, Shawn King and Kim Harbin 9. Sandra and Walter Burns with Jason Martin and Betty and Jim Long

more OUT & ABOUT

Drive-By Birthday Party

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State Farm Anniversary

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GOOD NEIGHBOR

MARY KATHERINE NESMITH NEWTON

INTERVIEWED BY LESLIE CRISS | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

Like many brides, planning a big wedding had long been a dream of Mary Katherine Nesmith Newton. But the Tupelo native never counted on COVID-19. Still, she and Riley Newton decided to marry in the midst of the pandemic. Newton is a graduate of Tupelo High School and the University of Mississippi, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Spanish. Her husband, who grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, and graduated from Auburn, is a student pastor at The Orchard in Tupelo. Mary Katherine is a ministry resident at Soma, a bilingual, multicultural campus of The Orchard. The daughter of Bill and Maurita Nesmith said that even though a wedding during a pandemic was not part of her original plan, she has no regrets.

Q: When and where was your wedding? A: We got married Aug. 22 at a beautiful outdoor venue called Southwind in Shannon.

Q: Did you ever consider changing the date of the wedding because of COVID-19? What made you decide to go ahead with it as planned? A: Before COVID hit, we knew we wanted to get married before the end of the year. We had several friends make changes and postpone their weddings, but it seemed to cause even more stress and more planning. We knew we wanted to get married on Aug. 22, no matter what it would look like.

Q: What made your wedding different than it might have been in normal times? A: I have always imagined having a huge wedding with everyone I love there to celebrate with me, but we ended up having fewer than 50 guests. We had wedding attendants and immediate family with us, but my sister and her husband live in London and were unable to travel to the U.S. I never would have imagined my wedding day without my sister standing beside me, but she sent a video of her matron of honor speech and FaceTimed us throughout the day. Our rehearsal dinner was all outside, and the servers wore face shields. Guests were asked to wear masks to the wedding ceremony and reception, which was also outside under a covered pavilion. We still had a band, but the dance floor crowd was pretty thin. As far as catering, we stuck with our original plan of having a taco bar, mini Key lime pies instead of groom’s cake, wedding cake and drinks.

Q: What was your favorite part of your wedding? What was your husband’s favorite part of the wedding? A: My favorite part of the wedding was having a portion of the ceremony in both English and Spanish, and my husband’s favorite part was probably the taco bar. It was also very special having my brother play piano and Riley’s dad pronounce us.

Q: What advice might you offer couples who are considering planning their wedding with the pandemic still going on? A: My advice to other brides planning weddings during COVID is this: Your goal, at the end of the day, is to be married to your husband. Do your best to make the day what you want, no matter the cost or number of guests. Your actual wedding day will always be the day that you remember, so make it count.