Contact: Phil Hearn
STARKVILLE, Miss.--The son and daughter of the late Gulf Coast artist Walter Anderson will celebrate their father's work Monday and Tuesday [Oct. 24-25] with lectures, performances and book signings at Mississippi State.
The campus visit by John and Leif Anderson, delayed by Hurricane Katrina, coincides with a month-long exhibition concluding Friday [the 28th] of their father's paintings at the university art department's McComas Hall gallery.
A combined exhibit, the gallery show includes "The Voluptuous Return: Still Life of Walter Inglis Anderson," and "The Mystical Landscapes of Walter Inglis Anderson."
A public reception for the Andersons will be held Monday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the gallery, which is located in McComas' basement level. Leif Anderson also will sign copies of her book, "Dancing with My Father."
Tuesday's schedule of events includes:
--12:30 p.m., 13 Allen Hall, a University Honors Forum lecture by Leif Anderson, "Dancing with My Fatherâ¦and Dancing Beyond." The approximately hour-long presentation will be followed by a book-signing session.
--5:30 p.m., at Bettersworth Auditorium of Giles Hall (College of Architecture, Art and Design), John Anderson lecture on "Walter Anderson--The Art of Loving Life."
--6:30 p.m., Bettersworth, Leif Anderson will perform "Dancing with My Father."
--7:30 p.m., Bettersworth, Leif Anderson again signs books.
MSU art instructor William Andrews said the combined art exhibit was organized with loans from area institutions, as well as the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art in Laurel and the Brooks Museum of Art in Memphis, Tenn. It includes selections from the Walter Anderson estate, and works from local and private collections, he added.
In addition to the art department and honors program, the exhibit and related events are being supported by the Starkville Area Arts Council; College of Architecture, Art and Design; offices of the provost and vice president for academic affairs, and for research; Greater Starkville Development Partnership; and Mississippi Arts Commission.
McComas gallery hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays; 1-4 p.m., Sundays. The gallery is closed on Saturdays and holidays.
For more information or to book tours, contact the art department at (662) 325-2970; or Andrews at 325-0393 or wpa@ra.msstate.edu.