In its 31st year, the Hazard Lecture Series presented by Heritage Academy is continuing its original theme of exploration with three subcategories: the voyage of the mind, the voyage from the past and the voyage of the artist.
This year’s theme will focus on the artist as Starkville native Mattie Codling, director of collections and exhibitions at the Walter Anderson Museum of Art in Ocean Springs, speaks about the great Southern artist and museum namesake.
The series began in 1992 and was established by the family of the late George Hazard Sr.
His son, George Hazard Jr. who is director for the Hazard Lecture Series, said after two years of livestreamed programs, the event will return in person to hear from Codling.
“… It is a pleasure for the lecture series this year to welcome an in-person audience,” Hazard Jr. said. “And we will be presenting something worth seeing in person. Walter Anderson’s work is approachable, imaginative and colorful. Codling will bring us an excellent visual sampling of (Anderson’s) skill and variety from the best possible source, the Walter Anderson Museum right here in Mississippi. She will also discuss his artistic growth and offer us a look at the artist’s life.”
The lecture is free and will begin at 7 p.m. Monday in the Heritage Elementary student activity building.
Anderson was an artist born in New Orleans in 1903 and lived on the Gulf Coast until his death in 1965, according to the WAMA website. He was an artist who used different forms of media to showcase nature with influences in his art spanning many decades and cultures.
Hazard Jr. said his family began the series because they wanted to honor their father and stimulate curiosity in young minds as they had children attending HA at the time of the first series.
“My sisters and I had children at Heritage and wanted to stimulate thought and curiosity outside the classroom,” Hazard Jr. said. “We also wanted to present discussions the public might enjoy. Such discussions are part of an independent school’s community responsibility. The family named the series in honor of our father because he was interested in the school and because of his own wonderful, inquiring mind.”
Lynne Sneed, Heritage Academy High School principal, said the series is a great way to expose children to diverse cultural experiences. Oftentimes, though not this year, the speaker is an HA alum that comes back to speak with the students to offer insight into all that can be accomplished after graduating from HA.
“Many of the presenters have been former Heritage Academy alumni, and what an example that is to our students of utilizing skills learned in the classroom to pursue careers and hobbies with a passion,” Sneed said. “Though this year’s program is not one of our graduates, Codling will present on Walter Anderson, who is one of our own Mississippi artists and is celebrated within the community.”
How to Go:
- WHAT: Hazard Lecture Series
- WHERE: Heritage Elementary Student Activity Building, Columbus
- WHEN: Monday at 7 p.m.
- COST: Free
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