For 10 years, The Mississippi Story has been a part of the Mississippi Museum of Art. Beginning on August 21, 2017, 8,500 square feet of gallery space – currently containing the ongoing, free exhibition titled The Mississippi Story – will be transformed to make room for Picturing Mississippi, 1817-2017: Land of Plenty, Pain, and Promise, the largest art exhibition about Mississippi identity ever conceived, which in its totality will cover more than 16,000 square feet of gallery space. Picturing Mississippi will be an unprecedented bicentennial exhibition exploring two centuries of Mississippi statehood.

The Mississippi Story was curated by art historian Patti Carr Black and installed in 2007 in conjunction with the opening of the Museum’s modern building. A quote by Eudora Welty contextualized this thematic exploration of Mississippi art: “It seems to me that the art that speaks most clearly, explicitly, directly and passionately from its place of origin will remain the longest understood,” Welty wrote.

“The Mississippi Story was created to evoke a sense of place and to explore what it means to be immersed in Mississippi. It has served visitors spectacularly, a tribute to the vision of curator and Mississippi treasure Patti Carr Black.” said Betsy Bradley, Director of the Mississippi Museum of Art. “In the decade since we opened that exhibition, the Museum and the community have continued to evolve and grow. When we de-install the galleries of The Mississippi Story this summer and fall, it will not be a conclusion, but a continuation. We will immediately begin installing Picturing Mississippi, an unprecedented exploration of Mississippi identity through visual art, opening December 9, 2017. Meanwhile, we will be inviting public dialogue on multiple fronts about what stories, technologies, and experiences will compose the reimagined and expanded Mississippi Story exhibition of the future.”

Leading up to, and during, the de-installation process, the Museum will offer engagement activities and programming. Visitors can participate in self-guided tour of The Mississippi Story through Sunday, August 20. On August 11 and 18, visitors can enjoy “Off-Record Gallery Talks,” behind the scenes talks with longtime Museum staff. During the August 17 Museum After Hours, the public is invited to a farewell evening tour. From August 22-25, stop in for The Mississippi Story Unframed, a first-hand glimpse into the process of de-installation. After the de-installation is complete, visitors can view One Wall: Feature from the Permanent Collection, from August 22–September 4, where one artwork from the permanent collection is displayed, rotating every two weeks.

The majority of the approximately two hundred objects currently on view in The Mississippi Story will return to the Museum’s vault during the run of Picturing Mississippi. In the Fall of 2018, following the bicentennial exhibition, the Museum will install a reimagining of The Mississippi Story complete with new stories and voices, new acquisitions, new technologies, and fresh perspective – driven by public dialogue, visitor input, and emerging contemporary narratives.

To learn more about the Mississippi Museum of Art, participate in farewell programs, follow the progress behind-the-scenes, and share feedback as part of “The Story Continues…” campaign, click here.
 

When she couldn’t find the lounge furniture she had in mind for her wedding day, Mary Fran Mason knew she had to do something about that.  “Planning the wedding, we couldn’t find the lounge furniture we had envisioned in our minds. That’s when, PARLOURS was created!  Why not purchase the furniture we wanted and start an online company to provide the ‘perfect solution for every type of rental need,’” says Mary Fran.  Her dilemma has blossomed into a booming business and PARLOURS is ready to provide customers with the perfect solution for every type of rental need from weddings, corporate events, parties, and even stage a home for sale.

Mary Fran Mason, the daughter that is part of the dynamic mother/daughter team, shares more with us about PARLOURS!

What is PARLOURS and when did you open?
“Whether you’re a bride with a wedding in need of beautiful décor, a business looking to jazz up an event space, or a realtor in search of the perfect staging to sell a home, PARLOURS Rentals is the go-to source for furniture and decor rental and staging.  Our online presence began in January of 2017.”

Tell us about your background and your mom’s background.  Have you always been interested in retail/owning your own business?
“We are a mother/daughter duo…Christi, has specialized in commercial real estate sales, leasing, and property management since 1990.  I graduated from Mississippi State University with degrees in fashion merchandising, business & marketing and ended up becoming a Sales Rep and became engaged!  We both have always worked in the fashion side of retail but we always have envisioned owning our own store one day just have never gotten around to it until my wedding in October.  It came to life when we realized the need for rental furniture for weddings, events, as well as home staging.”

What does PARLOURS offer to their clients/customers?
“PARLOURS is a marketing tool that helps turn your event planning and or listing into a ‘product’ that completes & outshines the other comparable ‘products’ on the market.  It appeals to the greatest number of event planners and or listing agents. PARLOURS has a competitive edge for our market, it’s a win-win for you and your client.”

Describe your style in one sentence or less.
“Our style is classic and elegant; yet timely and refreshing.”

What sets PARLOURS apart from other stores that do similar business?
“Again; PARLOURS has a competitive edge, we focus on small details as well as go over and beyond to make sure our clients are satisfied…when staging a home, we add fresh flowers, candles, lemon water in our beautiful antiqued gold dispenser, we look at the over picture!  AS for weddings, we stay competitive with other rental companies…we want to ensure we can give our brides the best experience!  We are grateful for the event planners and realtors that support us so that PARLOURS will continue to raise the bar on our wedding events and staging!”

Are there any memorable experiences you have had since you opened you might want to share with our readers?
“We have definitely had a couple of memorable experiences with a wedding as well as staging a home.  A wedding at Providence Hill Farm was magical!  Anyone could vision the months of preparation in planning a special day for the bride.  It was nice to sit back and watch as the guests arrived and as they were gazing around they were making comments in amazement of how PARLOURS turned the barn into such an elegant fairytale.  Home staging…WOW so many funny experiences!  My brother (and Christi’s son), Forest, helps us pack up when homes have sold, move furniture, etc.  We had asked him to carry a HUGE Parisian rug into a Reunion home we had staged upstairs.  He had gotten all the way up the stairs and after lots of laughter and Forest not being too happy with us, we had changed our minds and it needed to come back downstairs.  He was not happy with us, but it was a hilarious sight to see. I don’t think he will be carrying anymore rugs for us anytime soon.”

Any advice you would like to offer to our readers about staging or renting furniture?
“Some good advice for a Seller or Realtor…Investment in staging is always less than the first price reduction.  We hope to storefront retail soon so our clients will be able to view our inventory and introduce a couple of lines we have picked up over the last few months.”

For more information on PARLOURS, click here.  You can also view their work on their Facebook page here and Instagram account here.

Mississippi's own Literary Lawn Party is just around the corner! The Mississippi Book Festival has quickly become a favorite event for many people, from book enthusiasts young and old to aspiring young writers. On Saturday, August 19, 2017, thousands of people will descend on the grounds of the State Capital to hear from over 200 regional writers through panel discussions, live interviews, and book signings. For a complete listing of events or for more information on the Mississippi Book Festival, please click here.

A Jackson staple at Highland Village for 23 years, BRAVO! Italian Restaurant and Bar is getting a new look! If you haven’t heard by now (or if you haven’t seen their lighthearted YouTube video), BRAVO! will be closed from Monday, August 28th, 2017 through Monday, September 25th, 2017. Co-Owner, Jeff Good, is excited about the renovation and what’s to come! “We are teaming up with Erik Kegler and Brennan Hovell of EK Home and Katie Browning of CDFL Architects to give BRAVO! a fresh, modern look that will honor and celebrate the BRAVO! everyone loves,” continues Good. “Along with that is a commitment to bring some of our core practices into the 21st century: a new, better functioning website, an online to-go ordering option, and an updated look for the menu.”
Only BRAVO! would celebrate a closing with a party! A wine party that is! On Saturday, August 12th at 6:00 p.m., “The Closer” party will feature rare wines from the BRAVO! cellar selected by long-time sommelier Lesley McHardy, hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar. To add to the fun of “The Closer” party, guests will have chances to not only bid on a seat at their favorite table at the grand unveiling of the new BRAVO!, but also to participate in an auction for a piece of BRAVO! history; much of the furniture and accessories in BRAVO! “The only way to get a seat- or table- to the unveiling (planned for September 26th) will be to bid on it at The Closer Party,” says Susan Farris, Marketing Manager. “We’ve already had many inquiries from our long-time regulars about how they can reserve their favorite table for the reopening so they can celebrate with us that we came to realize we really had to turn this into a celebration. The energy and the joy is there,” smiles Farris. “And who doesn’t love an excuse for wine at BRAVO!?”
Would you like an opportunity to bring a piece of BRAVO! history home with you? At “The Closer Party,” you can! “We also immediately had questions about what would happen to the furniture. So many people have great memories with family and friends at these tables and under these lights. Or have admired that painting or this mirror. They want to bring that history home with them,” says Farris. “Why not have some fun with it?”
Tickets to “The Closer” are $60 a person or $100 per couple and can be bought on Eventbrite at https://bravo-the-closer.eventbrite.com or at BRAVO!
For more information on BRAVO! Italian Restaurant and Bar, please click here.

The arts have always been an important part of Mississippi's rich history. From the visual arts to the performing arts, our state is not lacking in talent. Take a look at the artists that have come from Mississippi! There may be a few you didn't realize have Mississippi roots!