Things are getting busy on the arts front here in Oxford. Many galleries, arts groups and the museum have lined up great schedules for the fall semester.

Despite the challenge of coordinating with the upcoming and exciting football season there will be lots of arts-related events.

Football lovers and art aficionados can rejoice as Oxford will have you covered for all of your entertainment needs.

This fall, I will give a rundown of some of the key events. I will attempt to go chronologically, so you might want to get out your calendar and make note of the following evens in order to be ready.

First on the list should be getting tickets to the very popular and enchanting event hosted by the Friends of the University Museum every fall at Rowan Oak.

Harvest Supper on the Grounds of Rowan Oak is a magical evening that celebrates all the beauty of our great town outdoors on the magnificent property of William Faulkner’s former home. Fabulous food by A&N Catering, City Grocery and Elizabeth Heiskell and Woodson Ridge Farms, fantastic music by Shannon McNally and the University of Mississippi Steel Orchestra and an art auction featuring work by 11 local and regional artists make this the event of the season.

Tickets sell out very quickly and went on sale to the public this past Monday so do not wait to purchase yours. The evening at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22, and the proceeds benefit the University Museum and Historic Houses.

If you would like to get a sneak peek of the auction items, you can see them at the museum until the big day and you can even make an advanced bid.

The pieces are amazing and include photography by Kathleen Robbins, Brooke White, Maude Schuyler Clay and Langdon Clay. Paintings included in the auction are by artists Jason Bouldin, Bill Dunlap, Randy Hayes, Philip Jackson, Terry Lynn, Robert Malone and Carlyle Wolfe.

All absentee and telephone bids need to be made by Wednesday, Sept. 21 by 5 p.m. by calling 662-915-7073. The auction will be held at the supper.

Secondly, if you are an artist you might consider entering a piece of artwork in the Third Annual Faulkner and Folk Art Exhibit at the Union County Heritage Museum.

According to the museum this event “challenges artists to create a piece of artwork inspired by William Faulkner from his book, ‘Light in August,’” which is the topic of this year’s Literary Festival in his birthplace, New Albany.

The juried exhibit will include cash awards for Faulkner the Man and an interpretation of the book. Please call 662-538-0014 or email jill@ucheritagemuseum.com for more information.

The artwork must be in the museum by Monday, Sept. 12 at 4 p.m. and if pieces are unusually large, you should contact the museum beforehand.

The museum is located in New Albany at 114 Cleveland St. and the Faulkner Fest will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24.

Happy almost fall Y’all!

ANDI BEDSWORTH is owner of Art To Go, which brings free art opportunities to children in the community.