Looking for a place to explore, I plan a day trip to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, to scout out all the galleries and talk to new people that also love art. Saturday I arrive, along with a million other people, enjoying the low humidity, sunshine and antique cars. I was out of my comfort zone, but on the bright side, I could walk around taking photos and see the sights without feeling awkward, taking advantage of the anonymity.
The annual “Cruising on the Coast” brought classic cars to Main Street and the Beach Boulevard. The car owners brought their spouses and children to enjoy this gorgeous, sunny day. The crowd was excited, food was being sold streetside and music was in the air. There was just enough breeze to be comfortable in the 80 degrees Fall coastal weather.
My first lucky break is finding a parking spot. I begin walking East toward the bay, from the west end of Main Street. Antique cars and trucks, and their proud owners, line the partitioned off road. I wander in and out of the many shops as I make my way on my little adventure. BEE by the Bay, a fine art gallery, has its doors open and I am greeted by Becky Edwards, owner, and Lauren Lacoste, art consultant. They are kind and charming, making me feel at ease and welcomed.
One of the talented, featured artist, caught my eye, Martin Laborde, from New Orleans. Mr. Laborde was born with a hearing defect. His ear canals, hammer, anvil, and stirrup had not developed, causing him to spend the first twenty years of his life in silence. His tenacious spirit adapted and is evident in his gift of art, making him an inspiration to us all to live our lives to the fullest. I like his use of bright colors and the little hint of humor in his paintings. A character, who represents his inner child, Bodo, is present in his art. The black background of his paintings represents the silence he had lived in. More interesting insights to his symbolism can be read in Mr. Laborde’s bio, https://beegalleries.com/pages/martin-laborde. Ms. Edwards spoke fondly of his work, sharing insights behind his art, endearing his work to me even more.
Ms. Edwards, at her gallery, is generously offering some of Mr. Laborde’s work at a discount to help purchase his unique and expensive hearing aids. Several of his original 8” x 10” oil paintings are on sale for $200.00. They usually sell for $375.00. Each are enchanting works of art.
I drove home without a painting. I couldn’t sleep well that night, regretting not purchasing a painting because of my budget. I realized I must make the four hour round trip again, if I am to have peace with myself. So, I did. I picked the painting titled, “Reaching.” I especially like the little blue bird in the painting. I feel connected to his art and empathize, having felt a different type of silence. The little bird in the painting reminds me of hope.
I feel art helps to mitigate and, in some ways, heal trauma. After writing my book, Treatment in America: Her Life Matters, I began painting to help find a happy place for my thoughts to go. My hope, my dream, my mission is to somehow help improve access to mental health treatment for all. I wrote my family’s story of struggle to help enlighten the need for better mental health access, but it also served as a personal catharsis, to some degree. The scars left behind are sometimes forgotten when creating or looking at art. Visiting small towns, the people I connect with the most, have had painful experiences and have pushed through or at least are making efforts to move forward past the pain. Doing random acts of kindness, or sometimes not so random acts of kindness, are the deeds and qualities I want to celebrate in others and continue to develop in myself. I feel I am constantly “reaching” to help those, including myself, who are “reaching” to heal and live a life of peace and hope in this journey of life.
I encourage you to visit BEE by the Bay, located at 131 A Main Street, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi and check out their website, beegalleries.com. This is a place that not only host beautiful works of art, but also a place that offers inspiration, hope and kindness.
May you never lose hope, and may you find peace wherever you go.
Jacqueline White-Ivey
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