The Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi will present its 48 th annual Chimneyville
Arts Festival December 6 and 7 at the Waller Craft Center, located at 950 Rice Road in
Ridgeland. All exhibitors in the festival are juried members of the Craftsmen’s Guild of
Mississippi and represent the finest artisans and craftsmen from across the state and beyond.
The event kicks off with the popular Preview Party at the Waller Craft Center on Thursday,
December 5 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. The event allows ticket holders to preview the crafts
presented by exhibitors, as well as enjoy food, beverages, and live music.
Debby DeLashmet, who serves as the president of the Craftsmen’s Guild Board of Directors.
“We are excited that this year’s Chimneyville is even larger than last year’s show.”
Friday morning will begin in the Mississippi Public Broadcasting Think Radio tent on the front
lawn of the Waller Craft Center. Horticulturist Felder Rushing will host a live radio broadcast of
The Gestalt Gardner from the tent at 9:00am. In his weekly show, Rushing shares stories,
answers questions and just talks gardening. Of course, you’ll hear a bit of “cheesy music” in
every program and you might hear a bad joke or two as well. The Gestalt Gardener is a long-
time favorite on MPB Think Radio, due in no small part to Felder’s laid-back, your-neighbors-
might-talk-but-so-what approach to gardening.Demonstrations by members of the Craftsmen’s Guild will take place in the Think Radio tent on
Friday and Saturday. Artisans will also have their work available for sale following their
demonstration. There will also be demos in the metal workshop and wood working shop.
Another popular feature will be the Young Artists show. Selected students from area high
schools will have work on display in the Harbor View Room upstairs at the Waller Craft Center.
Awards will be presented to students Saturday afternoon. “This is an important program for
us,” says DeLashmet. “These students could potentially be future members of the Craftsmen’s
Guild.”
The doors to the Craft Center open at 10:00am on both Friday and Saturday, December 6 and 7.
The show runs through 4:00pm each day. There will be food and beverages available to
purchase on-site.
“We are looking forward to this year’s festival,” says DeLashmet. “Why give ordinary, mass-
produced gifts when amazing, original crafts are right here? We hope everyone will join us at
the Waller Craft Center in Ridgeland for this exciting annual festival that celebrates our talented
craftsmen.”
Elizabeth Montambault, who serves on the Board of Directors of the Craftsmen’s Guild of
Mississippi, also serves as this year’s Chimneyville Chair. “The Craftsmen’s Guild is as relevant
now as it has ever been,” says Montambault. “We are blessed with a wealth of talented people
who create beautiful works of art. Hand-crafted items make a home feel richer. Giving a gift
that someone has made by hand shows that you care enough to choose something made with
love. Having access to so many fine crafts in one place is a wonderful opportunity to add to
your collection, or to start a new one. We welcome everyone to join us at Chimneyville.”
In addition to the booths at the festival, the Gallery at the Waller Craft Center will be open as
well from 10:00am to 4:00pm on December 6 and 7. Browse a wide range of options, from
traditional folk items, such as quilts, baskets and wood-carved spoons, to contemporary works,
like metal sculpture, fused glass, and handcrafted jewelry.
For more information on the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi, visit their website at
www.mscrafts.org.
