November at the University of Mississippi Museum | View in browser
NOVEMBER 2021
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Greetings all, from your University Museum and William Faulkner’s Rowan Oak — where Fall has notably become the annual season of our remarkable Harvest Supper fundraiser evening gala. All tribute and credit to our beyond hard-working Friends of the Museum Board who organize for months around this evening, and to the Museum staff also who support this event annually. Harvest Supper 2021 was an exceptional joy, and a great success — if you were present, thank you MORE...
The UM Museum had a great turnout for the Stark Raving Pumpkin Carving Contest Halloween Weekend! The porch of the Walton-Young was filled with decorated and carved pumpkins and over 60 people cast their vote for the scariest pumpkin, the funniest pumpkin, the most creative pumpkin, and the best in show.
Congratulations to the pumpkin contest winners: Brigett Barnett-Best of Show, Jack Bridge-Most Creative, Brooklyn Dean-Scariest Pumpkin, and Dylan Bridge-Funniest Pumpkin.
Harvest Supper Second Chance Art Sale:
Many thanks to everyone who made Harvest Supper a huge success this year. The grounds of Rowan Oak provided a beautiful backdrop for an evening of friends, food, and fundraising. The art auction contained the most artwork we've ever had at Harvest Supper. Many thanks to the talented artists who contributed their work! Congratulations to those winning bidders who were able to take home a piece of Harvest Supper.
If you missed your chance to score the winning bid on artwork, don't fret--here's your chance! The Friends of the Museum would like to invite you to the Harvest Supper Second Chance Art Sale featuring five works from local and regional artists. To see what is available, or to purchase artwork, visit hs21.org. The artworks are available to purchase at the price listed, no bidding.
The Harvest Supper Second Chance Art Sale will begin Monday, November 1st at 5pm and end Saturday, November 13th at 9pm. Don't miss your second chance!
NEWS FROM ROWAN OAK
Last month Rowan Oak received a donation of several books about the life and work of William Faulkner—ranging from literary criticism, to biographies, to volumes of Faulkner’s public speeches. You may view these in our in-house library. All books were donated by Ms. Elizabeth Block of Hilo, Hawaii. Tom Howorth of Howorth & Associates Architects is continuing on the project to envision an improved visitor arrival experience at Rowan Oak. This will include, but is not limited to: More signage and wayfinding, lighting, improved parking, kiosk/ ticketing service at the entrance of the site, and a potential Visitors Center where we can stage visitors before they tour the grounds and house of Rowan Oak. The Friends of the Museum are helping to fund the beginnings of this project.
CURRENT EXHIBITIONS
Whether it be small intricate drawings or massive hovering forms
consisting of thousands of kite-like discs, Jacob Hashimoto playfully
balances the dichotomies he observes in landscapes ... MORE...
Image above: The Other Sun, 2012–2019, by Jacob Hashimoto.
Check out the virtual exhibit of Theora Hamblett's Dreams and Visions series. Watch a video interview with Theora and find out more about these paintings which she considered to be her most important work. MORE ...
Image above: Angel's Request #2, 1956, by Theora Hamblett.
Southern African American quilts are one of the purest forms of southern
folk art. It is a craft handed down for generations, often done
communally, that represents family, region, and the love of its maker/s.
Born from necessity, where resources are limited, it is a way to reuse
scraps of cloth. MORE…
COVID-19 STATUS UPDATE
The University of Mississippi Museum and Historic Houses is committed to the safety of our visitors and staff through these uncertain times.
Until further notice from the University, the Chancellor announced this update to campus protocols on 8/5/21:
“To align with the CDC and the directive from MSDH stating, “that masks be worn universally indoors for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status. Due to the prevalence of the highly transmissible Delta Variant, masks must be worn in all indoor facilities to mitigate the risk of infection at this time” the university is implementing the following update to campus protocols:
Effective immediately, (8/5/21) the University will require face coverings in indoor public spaces on campus, regardless of vaccination status. This includes public office spaces, classrooms, conference rooms and other academic spaces like laboratories and libraries. Additionally, masks will be required while traversing public spaces in residence halls, dining facilities, the Student Union, Campus Rec, and retail spaces.”
To stay up-to-date with the University’s ongoing response to the coronavirus pandemic, please visit coronavirus.olemiss.edu
FOR EVERYONE
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (drop-in)
COST: FREE!
Mark your calendar for this upcoming
First Friday Free Sketch date:
December 3.
BAILEY WOODS
Bailey Woods Trail remains open from dawn until dusk daily. We ask that all trail visitors practice appropriate social distancing while enjoying this National Recreation Trail, which connects the two sites.
MEMBERSHIP
Being a member provides you with the special distinction of being part of a dynamic group of supporters of the University of Mississippi Museum and Rowan Oak. Now its easier than ever to become a member or renew a current membership online!
Watch this delightful 1975 Mississippi Public Television interview of Theora Hamblett by famed famed potter, Lee McCarty.
FAMILIES AND CHILDREN
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11
4:15–5:15 p.m.
COST: FREE! (donations accepted)
For grades 5–8
Fantastical Creatures
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18
3:45 – 4:30 p.m.
At the Museum
COST: $5 per family for each
drop-in session
SCAVENGER HUNT KITS
A fun
trail challenge for kiddos of all ages! Hit the Bailey Woods Trail
with your kids and explore the wonders of nature in our own backyard. Kits are located at the museum end of the trail entrance.
TRAVELING TRUNKS
Book a traveling trunk for your class or children’s program.
Bring the UM Museum to your classroom virtually today!
With our new virtual option, teachers and students
can experience our Traveling Trunks from anywhere! We will prepare
teachers for the virtual presentation by sending a list of necessary
supplies and the corresponding trunk lesson plan. Each Traveling Trunk is filled with art, history, and culture found at the museum.
STORYTIME WITH THE UNIVERSITY
OF MISSISSIPPI MUSEUM
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5
10:30 a.m.
COST: FREE!
At the Lafayette County &
Oxford Public Library
401 Bramlett Blvd.
Oxford, Mississippi 38655
ON LOAN
Bearing Witness
explores themes of death, remembrance, and rebirth through the lenses
of art and the Southern land. The exhibition features more than 60
works, primarily by Mississippi artists Walter Inglis Anderson
(1903-1965) and Jason Bouldin (b. 1965). These artists MORE…
REMINDERS AND LOOKING AHEAD
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
Rowan Oak and the University Museum will be closed Thanksgiving weekend from November 25th–29th, both will reopen Tuesday the 30th.
The Museum will open and close in accordance with University holiday hours.
COMING SOON!
The Museum Keepsake Holiday Ornament will be on sale soon in the Museum store.
The Beautiful Mysterious: The Extraordinary Gaze of William Eggleston, co-published by the University Museum and University Press of Mississippi, is an examination of the life and work of William Eggleston. Widely considered to be the father of color photography, Eggleston helped establish the artistic medium and has inspired photographers and artists around the world.
Get the Memphis Flyer at the Museum!
To arrange receiving a copy in this period, please contact our Director Robert Saarnio, at 662-915-7202.
