School Waves – The Mississippi Episcopalian

by Amy Egolf

Just one of several segments of the unique sculpture installed in several sections of the GKAC’s signature, curved entrance

School Waves, a public sculpture created through a partnership of the Walter Anderson Museum’s Public Art Enterprise, the Mississippi Arts Commission, Studio Waveland’s Erica and Mitchell Gaudet and Coast Episcopal School, was unveiled Friday, May 19, 2025, on the Long Beach independent school’s campus.

The unveiling, which graces the exterior entrance of the Gail Keenan Art Center, coincided with the closing of Paper Fools in Wonderland, an art show that has featured the art of 13 local artists for the last 13 weeks.

Speakers at the unveiling included: Casey Maugh Funderburk, Chairman, CES Board of Directors; Evelina Burnett, CES Capital Campaign Manager; Julian Rankin, Executive Director of the Walter Anderson Museum; Scott Naugle, Commissioner, Mississippi Arts Commission; Erica Larking Gaudet and Mitchell Gaudet, Artists, Studio Waveland; and Wynn Seemann, who, along with Artist Kat Fitzpatrick, was instrumental in establishing the school’s art center, named for their friend, Gail Keenan.

One portion of the exhibit still remains; the painting of the white wall in which the sculpture is installed in multiple places. The painting, in seafoam shades of blue, will follow the lines of the sculptured steel waves adorned by colorful glass fish created from forms created by CES students.

Sponsorship opportunities to support the sculpture are still available:

$150 Creative Cast Net: Glass replica of the CES’ fish that are part of the School Waves Sculpture.
$250 Building a Base: Glass replica of the CES’ fish on a glass base and your name on the sponsor plaque.
$600 Fish Trinity: Replica of the School Waves Sculpture with THREE CES’ Fish on steel waves.
$5000 Artistic Activator (Limited to two sponsors): Family or business name prominently displayed on one of the two outdoor sponsor plaques PLUS one glass fish replica AND a Fish Trinity, School Waves Sculpture replica.

Wynn Seemann and Kat Fitzpatrick honored their dear friend, Gail Keenan, by providing her photo and several of her pieces for the show closing

To sponsor or for more information, please visit bit.ly/schoolwaves.

Following the unveiling, attendees entered the GKAC for refreshments and to enjoy the final day of the third iteration of Paper Fools, curated by Bay St. Louis Artist and Photographer Ann Madden. Also featured were several pieces by Gail Keenan, for whom the center is named.

Gail Keenan Art Center was dedicated in February 2011 to the memory of the recognized ceramic artist and printmaker who was born in 1940 in New Orleans and passed away in February 2005. Ms. Keenan’s ties to the MS Gulf Coast were strong throughout her lifetime, during which she had works exhibited in Santa Cruz, CA; New Orleans, LA; Chicago, IL; Kansas City, KA; Ocean Springs, MS; Camden, ME; and Boston, MA, Ms. Keenan’s love for the arts continues to be honored in the works created and exhibited in the Coast Episcopal School signature art center.

Coast Episcopal School has been dedicated to a life-long love of learning by developing the whole child – mind, body and spirit – and providing a joyful, unique and nurturing Judeo-Christian Community that inspires its students to imagine and create a better world. Founded in 1950, CES is a member of the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS). For information: Coast Episcopal School, 5065 Espy Avenue, Long Beach, MS, 39560. 228-452-9442. headmaster@myces.org. Coastepiscopalschool.org. For additional information about School Waves and purchasing a sponsorship to help support the public art sculpture, please email giving@myces.org or call 228-363-1973.

Cover image: One of many colorful fish that adorn the sculpture. Its steel beam waves were crafted by Erica Larkin Gaudet and the glass was poured by Mitchell Gaudet into forms made by CES students

Scott Naugle, Mississippi Arts Commissioner and owner of Cat Island Coffeehouse & Bookstore, addressed the attendees to explain the importance of partnerships that strengthen the strong tradition of art and culture for which Mississippi is recognized

Let Freedom Ring

Christ Church, Church Hill, to host patriotic concert for Independence Day

by Carolyn Vance Smith

The recently restored Christ Episcopal Church in Church Hill, Miss., will present “Let Freedom Ring,” a free patriotic concert, at 2 p.m., Sun., June 22, 2025.

“This special event serves as a musical prelude to Independence Day, honoring nearly 250 years of American freedom,” said John Norris, Warden at Christ Church.

“This concert will highlight the fundamental liberties that emerged from the American Revolution,” Norris said. “It is a tribute to the ideals that define our nation: freedom, equality and unity.”

Selections will include spirituals like “Go Tell It on the Mountain” and “His Eye Is on the Sparrow,” celebrating religious freedom.
Other selections will include Broadway favorites “Somewhere” from West Side Story and “Wheels of a Dream” from Ragtime, reflecting the ongoing American quest for equality and justice for all.

Featured performers are soprano Maryann Kyle, tenor John Christopher Adams, and pianist Ellen Elder.

“These renowned Mississippi artists were selected by Jay Dean, Artistic Director of the Natchez Festival of Music,” Norris said. “These exceptional performers are celebrated locally and nationally for their work in top-tier productions.”

At the end of the program, the audience will be invited to join in singing “America: My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” Norris said. “The first stanza includes the line ‘Let freedom ring.”

A worship service in the 1858 Gothic Revival church will be at 3 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Samuel B. Godfrey. Following the service will be refreshments and fellowship.

Christ Church, founded in 1820, is the oldest Episcopal congregation in Mississippi. The church is located 15 miles north of Natchez at the intersection of Mississippi Highway 553 and Church Hill Road.