The first meeting of the 2010-2011 season of the Vicksburg Art Association will feature three local artists who will talk about their five-week painting tour through Italy.

The program, featuring Nancy Mitchell, Patty Hughes and Lane Berg, will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Constitution Firehouse, the VAA’s headquarters at Main and Openwood streets.

Mitchell has been an art teacher for 29 years and has won state and local awards. Hughes is a self-taught artist who is a member of the VAA, the Mississippi Watercolor Society, Mississippi Artists Guild and Mississippi Art Colony. Berg is pursuing a master’s degree in art education at Delta State University.

The VAA meets each second Tuesday at the firehouse, except during December.

The group is planning a workshop, Cocktails and Canvases presented by Lou Davenport, for Sept. 19 from 1 to 5 p.m. The class, geared toward inexperienced artists, will be casual, and participants are encouraged to bring a beverage and a friend. Cost is $45 for VAA members and $50 for nonmembers. Supplies are provided, and reservations are required. Call 601-638-9221 or 601-636-6110.