The advent of November in Mississippi heralds a weekend often circled in red by those who appreciate the beauty found in timeless antiques, fine fabrics, enduring jewelry and glorious flowers. The 2015 Decorative Arts and Preservation Forum and Antiques Show and Sale Nov. 5-7 will showcase all of that, and more.
Presented annually by the Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundation, the forum features expert presenters, an antiques display and sale and entertaining social occasions. Most events take place at the Rosenzweig Arts Center and Trotter Convention Center, both in downtown Columbus. Many are free.
“The purpose of the forum is to provide information and education, but also to encourage people to come to town to see what a wonderful place this is,” said Program Committee Chair Dixie Butler. “They enjoy the hospitality that Columbus has to offer.”
The decorative arts of weddings through history will be one forum focus — from “Flowers Through the Ages” to attire and customs.
Along with Butler, Jim DelPrince is actively involved in planning the forum, as he has been for almost two decades.
“The idea of pursuing the beauty of weddings, including the gowns, decorative arts and flowers is a great way to lead people into understanding that decorative arts are all around us, every day,” said the floral design specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service.
The forum weekend opens Thursday, Nov. 5 with a free preview party of the Antiques Show and Sale at the Rosenzweig Arts Center at 501 Main St. Get a first look at selections of porcelain, rugs, primitive pieces, antique linens and estate and antique jewelry that dealers from throughout the Southeast will have on hand. Angela Boudreaux of Antique Restoration Studio in Southaven will be on hand as well, accepting pieces for repair.
“We have wonderful selections this year, with dealers from Bowling Green, Kentucky; Pensacola, Florida; Memphis and Germantown, Tennessee; Raleigh, North Carolina; and from across Mississippi,” remarked Nancy Carpenter, executive director of the Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundation.
Prominent designers
On Friday morning, Nov. 6, the forum features two leading experts in horticulture and floral design in a ticketed event.
Television host and prolific author P. Allen Smith, and past AIFD president and floral designer Sharon McGukin, will be at Trotter Convention Center.
After coffee, tea and pastries at 8:30 a.m. McGukin presents “Flowers from the Heart,” complete with demonstrations for floral designs for special occasions, including weddings.
Smith then brings “Share the Bounty,” which includes a PowerPoint presentation on how he has developed his personal farm and gardens. A book signing with both authors follows.
Smith and McGukin are widely praised as entertaining, informative speakers.
Tickets for the Nov. 6 morning event are $25.
Going to the chapel
Free lectures on Saturday morning, Nov. 7 move to the Rosenzweig Arts Center, where Dr. Phyllis Bell Miller and William Riehm, both of Mississippi State University, look at weddings through the ages. The session begins with coffee, tea and pastries at 8:30 a.m.
“I am honored to be part of this,” said Miller, professor of fashion design and merchandising in MSU’s School of Human Sciences. The Fulbright Scholar also teaches courses abroad and has traveled to at least 50 countries. She has absorbed not only diverse cultures, but also their clothing traditions, including bridal costumes.
“I’m going to be looking at the history of wedding attire not only from a western perspective, but also internationally, and how some of these all tie together,” Miller said. “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” has counterparts in other cultures, she added. “If you understand what’s going on in one culture, it can help in understanding your own.”
DelPrince praised the professor’s invaluable collection of images detailing native clothing from around the globe. Miller will share clothing examples and images in her talk.
William Riehm, assistant professor in the Interior Design Program in MSU’s College of Architecture, Art and Design, will talk of Southern decorative arts and wedding gifts of the 19th century.
“We’ll look at what would have been the most desired gifts, in terms of items like furniture and home decor,” Riehm commented. “There are some interesting things about how people go shopping, about wedding registries of the time … ”
How to go
Throughout the forum, the antiques show and sale will be open to the public at no charge — at the Nov. 5 preview party from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and Nov. 6-7 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Tickets for the Friday, Nov. 6 event with P. Allen Smith and Sharon McGukin are $25, available at the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau office, 117 Third St. S. Or call 662-329-1191.
Grand Patron tickets are available for $150, with access to all events, including a luncheon at Graham Farm and a special dinner at Whitehall Mansion.
Carpenter said, “We’re delighted to offer such a wonderful array of events over a three-day period.”
DelPrince added, “This educational as well as social event, as it has always sought to accomplish, generates excitement in the community about the beauty that is found in Columbus.”
In addition to the Cultural Heritage Foundation, sponsors include the Billups-Garth Foundation, Thyme Kitchen, Tabletop and Gift Store, The University Florist at MSU, Columbus Garden Club Council, Mr. and Mrs. Dick Leike, Dr. and Mrs. Joe Boggess, Graham Farm and the Columbus Arts Council.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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