The Natchez Art Association is dedicated to advancing the fine arts in the Miss-Lou.

It sponsored a juried exhibit of Miss-Lou high school artists’ works in March of 2010 and 2011 and plans to continue this program in 2012. This year’s exhibit was displayed at the Natchez Visitors Center and $500 worth of cash prizes were awarded to the students.

Twenty-four area schools covering Adams, Franklin and Wilkinson counties and Concordia and Catahoula parishes were invited to participate.

The association will open its studio doors at the corner of North Canal and Franklin streets for human figure and still life drawing and painting the second Tuesday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. every month going forward.

All artists in the community are invited to join us! A $5 fee is collected and given to the model during human figure sessions.

Want to learn more about the Natchez Art Association and its members? Visit our information and sales booth at the Art & Soul Fine Art Festival Saturday on the bluff in downtown Natchez.

A Plein Air paint-out will be at Beck’s Bay Lodge on Saturday and Sunday, May 28 and 29. Join the NAA artists for this unique opportunity to draw and paint at the exclusive Beck’s Bay Lodge. This opportunity to meet and paint with other artists in open air is available to all Miss-Lou artists at no charge. Bring your own art supplies, chairs and easels. Lunch will be offered on Saturday for $10. Contact Brenda Hicks for more information at 601-446-5202 or 601-431-1224. RSVP is required.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 2-4, Charles Crossley will present his mixed media painting workshop. His artwork is well known in the region for being exciting and innovative.

“I believe that one must create that which one feels, not what is popular. So there is no compromise of one’s soul,” Crossley said.

Join us for this opportunity to learn some of the many innovative techniques Charles uses to create his very interesting works. Cost is $275 for NAA members and $300 for non-members. All art supplies are included. Contact John Harter at 228-224-1054 for more information.

The annual summer youth art camp sponsored by Loraine Griffin will be offered June 13-17, June 27-July 1, July 11-July 15 and July 25-July 29.

Youth art camp offers learning opportunities in acrylic painting, crafts, collage, pointillism, paper mache, basic drawing, photography, mixed media and more. Class size is limited. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily with art supplies and lunch included in camp cost. Week long class cost is $115. Students from grades 1 to 12 are welcomed. Contact Loraine Griffin at 601-807-3290 or lcggraphics1@aol.com for more information.

The Natchez Art Association Studio is located in the Natchez Garden Club’s James Andrews House/Lawyer’s Lodge, at the Ellicot Hill Complex on the corner of North Canal and Franklin streets.

For additional information about the activities of the Natchez Art Association, a non-profit organization who supports and promotes arts in the Miss-Lou, visit our website at www.natchezartassociation.org.

John Harter is affiliated with the Natchez Art Association.