Two years ago, Jeanean Shirley and her husband were invited to the Vicksburg Art Association Christmas party. They had so much fun the couple decided to become members of the VAA.

“When we arrived we realized we knew a lot of the people who were there and we had so much fun,” Shirley said, of the annual event that is held on the first Friday in December.

The VAA is a non-profit organization that holds monthly meetings in addition to hosting art shows throughout the year.

Shirley said one of the misconceptions on becoming a member of VAA, is that people think you have to be an artist. That is not the case at all, she said.

“I feel like I have very little artistic talent, but we are there to support the arts in our community. Most of us involved are patrons of the arts. We are art appreciators,” Shirley said.

This year, the VAA will kick off their 2018-1019 membership drive at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, at the Bazinsky House, 1022 Monroe St.

“The event is open to the public. You don’t have to be a member to come,” Shirley said, but you will have the option to join if you so desire.

Several membership options are available.

Those in attendance, Shirley said, will have the opportunity to view the eclectic art collection of David Mitchell and Andrew Dawson, homeowners of the Bazinsky House. There will also be light refreshments and entertainment provided by Kazooheit. Other scheduled events throughout the season will include a hands-on program that focuses on converting “junk” into art.

“A group of artists are going to tell how they convert junk into art and the people there will get to create something if they are so inclined,” Shirley said.

In November, two events are scheduled. The 39th Mississippi Invitational will open with a reception at the Firehouse Gallery and will feature work by artist throughout the state, and on Nov. 1 Instructor Tom Harmon and students of Very Special Arts will present a program for physically and mentally challenged adults.

“They will exhibit their work and talk about their processes,” Shirley said.

The annual VAA Christmas party is scheduled for Dec. 7, and in January fiber artist Isabel Adams, Barbara Cashman, Kinuyo Kraus, Luane Salgado and Deloris Terrell will display quilts, felted art and mixed-media fabric pieces. Randy Jolly will also demonstrate hand-made papermaking. Art shows by children, youth and adults will be held in the spring. Another misconception some may have about the VAA, Shirley said, is the pressure to purchase artwork.

“That is not true at all,” Shirley said. “We do have several events over the course of the year where you have the option to purchase artwork, but there is no pressure what so ever to buy.”

However, for those who may be interested in adding a piece of art to their collection, Shirley said, “You can get beautiful artwork at a really reasonably price.”

Shirley, who serves as the publicity chairman for the VAA, said for anyone who would like more information on the VAA or a complete list of this year’s offerings, visit vicksburgartassociation.org or email vicksburgart@gmail.com.