I also discovered that Water Valley has a significant arts community. Currently, there are 4 art galleries in the tiny patch of ground known as the Historic District of Water Valley:
And by the grace of God — one of those galleries is mine.
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Trust me, everything about my having a new studio and gallery in old, historic Water Valley is a miracle, and as soon as I realized that my dream arts space would finally come true, I started telling everyone in town that I HAD to have snow at my place, too, for Christmas in the Valley. In previous years, the snow has only fallen from the center of Main Street — from the BTC building, at 301 North Main Street. And it will still snow at BTC this year,
Jacki Kellum Studios is at 32 South Main Street — farther down the street — in the space where the Hotel Trusty once thrived. The owners of the entire building at 32 South and I are striving to retain some of the 1920s and 1930s spirit in our building:
I continued pleading with every one in authority over Water Valley’s Christmas festivals: “I must also have snow at the studios for Christmas in the Valley — I MUST!”
You see, Snow is more than a change of the weather for me. It is Magic. It is a Miracle. And Miracles are Important to me. Perhaps you will sense some of my feelings about snow in my art:
Winter in New Jersey – Jacki Kellum Watercolor
Collection of Governor and Mrs. Phil Murphy
Another great miracle for me was when my picture book The Donkey’s Song was published. Every time I sign one of those books, I begin, “Life Is A Miracle.”
Before The Donkey’s Song wa released, I Created the Following Video, telling the world that my upcoming book was a miracle — and that is true, for several reasons:
But back to my quest to have snow fall at Jacki Kellum Studios–another miracle–during Christmas in the Valley.
I continually plead with the city’s authorities.
Finally, one of my dear friends decided to make my dream come true: “You WILL have snow for Christmas in the Valley, she promised. I’ll buy you your own snow machine. You can make your own snow.”
So this year, all of my friends and family are invited to share my own White Magic at Chsitmas in the Valley–thanks to my dear friend and to Miracles.