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Grassroots organization is ?bringing it all together9
There is something exciting going on in Hancock County -besides the new Hancock Focus and WQRZ the new radio station. It?s a grassroots movement to promote the arts in Hancock County by bringing all the art forms under one umbrella organization.
It?s a simple idea really. A non-profit umbrella organization that is inclusive of all artists, writers, artisans and performing artists throughout the county. It will provide a clearinghouse for all arts related information and serve as a resource for artists, schools and the community. Art will be more visible and, as a result, will be recognized as an economic force in our area.
After soliciting ideas for a name for this organization and considering different versions,
the one decided on is THE ARTS, Hancock County Mississippi. The slogan is "bringing it all together".
Hancock County is rich in terms of artistic diversity.
Painters, performing artists, musicians, writers and poets, fiber artists, sculptors and potters, printmakers and papermakers, artisans of every sort make their home here. Diamondhead Per-
Pictured from left, Tish Williams, director of the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Mary Perkins, PR director of the Hancock County Library System, Gwen Impson, owner of Turquoise Turtle Print Studio, and Beth Carriere, executive director of the Hancock County Tourism Development Bureau.
forming Arts, Bay St. Louis Little Theater, St. Rose de Lima Choir, and the Coast Youth Ballet are visible proof of the diversity of interests. THE ARTS will encompass all of these activities.
Gwen Impson may be the driving force behind the idea but she doesn?t like to take credit for the entire project. Instead she sees herself as a catalyst for bringing key players together and for involving as many people as possible in order to ensure success.
"One person could not do this alone," she says. "From the very beginning it has been a partnership with the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, the Hancock County Library System and the Hancock County Tourism Development Bureau. I
took an idea to them last summer and hoped to find some interest. The response from these agencies has been terrific. They recognize that this organization will strengthen and enrich our community."
The Hancock County Chamber of Commerce has been a supporter of the effort to form an arts organization since its inception. Volunteers and staff are providing leadership to help define the mission and set goals and objectives to build a viable organization to support the arts in Hancock County.
"The arts are an important part of our community," said Tish Williams, director of the Chamber. "Working together, we can accomplish great things to edu-
SEE ARTS-PAGE 8
C6ftee <Call
The RegionarCoffee Call featuring^ Stennis Space ^Center is Wednesday, March 26 from 7:30-9:00 ajn. at Casino Magic .^in Bay St. Louis. ? _ _	,*4
* ?THE ARTS? meeting
A meeting of^the vnewly established THE ARTS, Hancock County Mississippi, will be held Wednesday, March 26 at 5:30 pjn. at the Bay-? St.Louis-Hancock County Library. The public is invited to attend.
DBPA meets
The Diamondhead Busi-ness & Professional Association (DBPA) will have its meeting onThursday, March 27 at 8 a.m. at the Diamond-Ihead ^Country Club. The DBPA is also Costing the Business After ;ts Hours at 5 p.m. at > Whitney Bank in Diamondhead,
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Community Page 2
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Entertainment ? Page 4 ^Church News - Page 6
CallHancocKFoc^
Hancock Focus is a weekly paid publication published every Wednesday. We can be reached Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at 412 Hwy 90, Ste. 9, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520. Phone 228-466-3600, ^
Fax 228-466-9800. Email kst@i-55.com.
Mission Statement
Antiques & Estates Auction Gallery, 220 Coleman Ave., Waveland
Bay City Grill
136 Blaize Ave., Bay St. Louis
CB?s Coffee House , 200-B N. Beach Blvd., Bay St. Louis
DISTRIBUTION SITES
Country Produce & Meat Market 16373 Hwy. 603, Kiln
Dolly?s Quick Stop 16593 Hwy. 603, Kiln
La Coffee Cafe 123 Court St., Bay St. Louis
Megga?s Discount Cigarettes 2046 Waveland Ave., Waveland
Raintree Center
121 E. Second St., Pass Christian Todd?s
10594 Hwy. 603, Bay St. Louis
Two Jack?s Texaco, 443 Yacht Club Dr., Diamondhead
The Store (Spur), 1139 Old Spanish Trail, Bay St. Louis
Our mission is to inform, educate and promote positive aspects of life in Hancock County. This endeavor will require reader input, as well as a spirit of cooperation from elected officials and other organizations that are on the same public mission of goodwill. We feel a positive accounting of life in Hancock County without bias or prejudice can create an atmosphere of celebrating the many advantages of coastal living. From Hancock County to the western part of Pass Christian, we will strive to keep you informed of the events taking place each week and feature the many artists of all mediums that call this unique area their home. Through this cooperation from the citizens of Hancock County from all walks of life, we believe the end result will be a more united community, a community with a sense of pride and a community
that is planning for a bright future.