By Andi Bedsworth

Fall is just about here, and that means it is time to go into Water Valley for their 9th Annual Water Valley Art Crawl & Showcase of Historic Homes & Galleries which is this Saturday from 5:30—9 p.m. They will top it off with their famous After Party at Yalobusha Brewery from 9—11 p.m. And if that was not enough for one night, they are bringing back their popular fashion show live at the After Party at 9 p.m.

This very popular event has been drawing crowds to the Valley for the last several years to celebrate art, music and history in this beautiful town dedicated to its main street, its community and its creative economy.

It is a simple concept. You pick up a map and list of all participating studios/homes at Bozarts Gallery on 403 Main Street and proceed to enjoy the many open homes and studios on the tour. There is always great art, live music and refreshments galore as you walk from stop to stop. You are bound to meet up with one, two or fifty close friends as you make your way through the streets. Some things to expect this year: Sculpture, three generations of Walter Anderson creations, a showcase of Hill Country musicians and artists, and the Do Good Fund Exhibition which is being hosted at six galleries in Mississippi, including at three galleries in Water Valley—The Living Room Gallery, Yalo Studio and Bozarts.

This is a collection of museum-quality photography taken in the American South since World War II. The Do Good Fund, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Columbus, Georgia. Since its founding in 2012, the Fund has focused on building a museum-quality collection of contemporary Southern photography, including works by emerging photographers.

According to the foundation’s website, “Do Good’s mission is to make these works broadly accessible through regional museums, nonprofit galleries and nontraditional venues, and to encourage complementary, community-based programming to accompany each exhibition.”

The crawl is sponsored this year by Seven Oaks Funeral Home, Dr. Barry Weeks, DMD PC; Tournage Drug Store, Tarasque Cucina Italian Food, Mechanics Bank, The Water Valley Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Larry Hart, Tri-Lake Eye Clinic, Radiosonde Museum of North America, McMinn Realty, Fisher Realty, Yalobusha General Hospital, Farm Bureau Yalobusha Agents, State Farm Insurance, Renasant Bank, Larson’s Piggly Wiggly, Yalobusha General Hospital, Wash’n’Go, Valley Lumber & Hardware, El Charito, Trent L. Howell, PLLC; B.B.’s Diner, The Family Hairloom, Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio.

The Water Valley Art Council invites you to “Come see where innovation and creativity converge.” The art crawl is a free family-friendly event. For more information contact Dr. Linda Scott, Director Water Valley Art Council at Linda.R.Scott4@gmail.com. Wear comfy shoes, bring some money to buy art, and pack up the kids for a fun night in the Valley!