Newsletter of the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation
Fall 2000
The Southern Slate derives its name from the rich educational history associated with the buildings of the Southern Cultural Heritage Complex. That teaching tradition continues today with our current mission as a cultural activities center.
SCHF Independent as of October 1
The Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation will enter a new era on October 1 as terms of its management agreement with the City of Vicksburg expires. Signed in April of 1999, the agreement gave significant independence to the Foundation to operate a cultural center in the historic property once owned by the Sisters of Mercy. However, there will be no further financial support from the City after October 1.
According to SCHF Board President Fred Farrell, this transition presents both new opportunities and challenges for the organization. “To ensure our continued success, we need Vicksburgers interested in these historic buildings and in the excellent educational activities that have taken place within them in the past few years to step up and show their support,” he asserted.
Vice-president Landy Teller echoes these sentiments. “Private support from members of the community is critical to our future,” he noted. “We invite everyone to become active members of our organization and help us build on our accomplishments.”
Membership information is provided on page 11 of this newsletter. More information on ways to contribute may be obtained by visiting with SCHF executive director Ted Smith at (601) 631-2997, members of the board of directors, or by visiting the Foundation online at www.southernculture.org.
River Kids After School Arts Program
Through a grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission, the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation will offer an after school arts program, entitled River Kids, which will explore the Mississippi River through the arts. The free program for ages 7-13 will be held at the Southern Cultural Heritage Complex in downtown Vicksburg each Thursday from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. from September 21, 2000, through April 2001.
Taught by local arts educators, the goal of River Kids is to expose youth to the arts and give them a better understanding of the community and environment that surrounds them. The program will draw on resources in the community to enhance the curriculum and will include performances by regional artists throughout the year. River Kids will conclude with a public performance and exhibition of the children’s art works.
To register your child for the River Kids After School Program, call Beth Hinson at (601) 631-2997.
SCHF Receives $25,000 Award from Harrah’s
Great news came on June 28 when the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation received Harrah’s fourth annual Constellation Award. SCHF Executive Director Ted Smith (right) and Board Vice President Landy Teller (middle) are shown receiving the award, which included a check for $25,000. Also pictured are Colin Reed, Harrah’s Chief Financial Officer, Pat Fordice, former First Lady of Mississippi and guest speaker at the award luncheon, and Jeff King, General Manager of Harrah’s Vicksburg.
The Constellation Award is presented annually to an organization that has made improvements in the Vicksburg community. The SCHF was selected this year in part for their efforts to restore the historic property that once housed the St. Francis Xavier Convent and Academy.
“It’s wonderful to receive recognition for the hard work of our staff, board of directors, and volunteers,” Smith said. “We will continue to build on this award with excellent educational programming.”
For more information on the award and news of other developments at the SCHF, visit www.southernculture.org.
Letter from the Executive Director
We have had a truly exciting summer at the SCHF. It started off right in June when we were honored by Harrah’s with the 2000 Constellation Award. Given for community development, the award carries a $25,000 prize which provides a nice base of financial support to build upon in 2001. October 1 will mark a new beginning for our young organization. We thank the City of Vicksburg for their support in past years, and we look forward to the continued creation of cultural activities reflective of local and regional communities.
From River Kids, underwritten in part by the Mississippi Arts Commission, to the activities of Archeology Week, continued arts programming, and the Red Tops event, we embrace the cool (hopefully) weather of the Fall. Thank you for your support. We are thrilled to serve you.
Ted J. SmithFall 2000 Calendar of Events
August 25 - September 27 “The Photographs of P.H. Polk” Exhibit
September 20 Southern Book Club Meeting
September 21 - April 2001 River Kids After School Art Program
September 21 HLS: Women’s Civil War Diaries by Carol West
September 23 Pinhole Camera Workshop
September 26 Photo Fun for the Young Workshop
September 27 - December 13 Drawing Workshop
September 30 - October 14 Fall Pilgrimage Tours
October 9 - November 2 Drawing for Beginners Workshop
October 9 After School Archaeology Hour for Children
October 10 Lecture on Civil War Steamboat Wrecks by Steve James
October 11 Diggin’ Dirt Preschool Archaeology Activity
October 12 Business After Hours with River 101
October 14 Prehistoric Mound Tour of the Delta
October 16 - November 8 Children's Watercolor Classes
October 19 HLS: Deer Camp in the Delta by Alan Huffman
October 21 Red Tops Revisited
October 26 Basics of Estate Planning
October 31 A Southern Halloween
November 4 Pine Needle Basketry Workshop
November 11 Stained Glass Workshop
November 16 HLS: History of Ole Miss by Dr. David Sansing
December 2 - 21 MS Heritage Trust Ten Most Endangered Places Exhibit
Workshops Continue to Explore the Arts
The response to our summer workshops was fantastic. The Foundation is very grateful to the instructors who made the workshops such a success, including Barbara Cashman, Barbara Faulkner, Martha Ferris, Doug Hassell, Harold Miller, Wayne Pratt, Stuart Proctor, and James Smithhart. Special thanks also goes to volunteers Barbara Beasley, Joy Brabston, Susan Causey, Katie Pierce, and Jeanne Miller for their assistance with the workshops.
Now it’s on to the fun-filled fall! Space is limited in the following workshops and registration is required, so please call Beth Hinson at (601) 631-2997 for more information.
Pine Needle Basket Weaving Workshop
Charlotte M. Smith, a juried member of the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi, will be leading a pine needle basketry class November 4 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The cost of the class is $25 for SCHF members and $30 for non-members. Participants will learn the basics of pine needle basketry by creating a tree ornament using the same design as the ornament on the 1999 Mississippi State Tree in Washington, D.C. Each student will need to bring a pair of needle nose pliers and small scissors.
Charlotte Smith is a member of the American Craft Council and the Handweavers Guild of America. In addition to teaching basketry classes for the Craftsmen’s Guild and Millsaps College, she also works at the Mississippi Crafts Center.
Two Great Drawing Workshops
“Drawing for Beginners,” a series of eight classes, will be held every Monday and Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., beginning October 9 and ending November 2.
Participants will learn the basic principals of drawing, so no previous drawing experience is necessary. The cost of the classes is $50 for SCHF members and $60 for non-members. A list of supplies needed will be provided to participants before the first session.
The class will be led by Barbara Faulkner, who is an art instructor at Hinds Community College in Raymond. Her previous experience includes five years teaching at Vicksburg High School and many years as a commercial artist.
Another “Drawing Workshop” will be held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month this fall (September 27, October 11 and 25, November 8 and 22, and December 13) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The series of six classes is open to anyone who has an enthusiasm for art and a desire to learn. The workshop will explore ways to improve drawing skills through a variety of mediums. Students will have assigned projects as well as the opportunity to bring in independent projects for critiques. The cost of the workshop is $40 for SCHF members and $50 for non-members. A list of supplies for the class will be provided before the first session.
The class will be led by James Smithhart, who has worked as an art instructor at All Saints’ Episcopal School for 23 years.
Two Fun Photo Worksh