Twenty women sit on a screened porch with paintbrushes in hand as guest speaker Beth Dean demonstrates the drip effect of watercolors on canvas.
They follow Dean’s instructions in their journals to the light of the sun setting across Madsion County’s Deer Haven Lake.
As part of this weekly meeting, each woman learns about arts and crafts, even food, organized by Jill Ford.
Ford’s home is a beautiful self-made abode with its view of the lake and pier, its subtly, Southern décor, and vaulted ceilings. She works on her own painting between fetching cups of sherbet for her guests.
These meetings, called Gatherings, are Ford’s ministry to women, where ladies of all ages, backgrounds, and careers come to her home for faith-based lessons in arts and crafts.
“I love women’s ministries,” says Ford, “and I wanted to make hospitality my gift.” Ford holds these arts and crafts classes as a way of encouraging artistic pursuits and creating community ties for local women.
The travel journal workshop involves a presentation by Dean, where she provides ideas for travel journal sketches and watercolor paintings using her own works of art. Dean gives advice on the timing and technique of decorating one’s travel journal, advising the ladies when it might be best to paint in the moment or when one should save her paint for a quieter hour.
Of the 20 women who attend the travel journal workshop, 10 are women who have attended classes before. “I know some of the women who come, and then some of them are complete strangers,” says Ford, a realtor by day and mother of two grown children.
“I love the chance to meet new people, to hang out with and encourage women. It’s been an amazing experience so far.”
Affectionately called “a ladies’ night out,” these classes have been taught by bakers, painters, photographers, and gardeners. Ford also recalls two popular classes on French macaroons and petit fours, where both teachers later informed her of an increased demand for their products weeks after the classes.
Laurel Donahoo, an attendee who has also taught a class on Instagram, says, “Because of these Gatherings, I’m now in love with travel journaling and petit four-making. The whole concept of Jill’s Gatherings comes from such a beautiful place in Jill’s heart for hospitality, community, and the arts. Each Gathering is God-centered and just plain fun!”
Another attendee and close friend of Ford, Robin Bolton, says, “I am really suspicious that people in general are inching into seclusion. People are opting into watching Netflix instead of hanging out with their girlfriends. So I thought this was such a great endeavor. Jill has given us a safe place to try something new. To be in the presence of Jill and the people she surrounds herself with is so inspiring and life-giving.”
Each class typically consists of 20 students and one guest teacher. Ford provides the supplies and food for a fixed amount. Her spacious backyard and open house make for a welcoming venue.
“I needed something fun and different to do. It’s a lovely place to entertain, and my daughter-in-law said to me, ‘I wish you would have parties here, where ladies can come and have an opportunity to be together and make things.’ It just felt right,” says Ford.
Ford takes the time to decorate for each class. A photography class was set up with a Bohemian feel in mind. French appetizers accompanied the French macaroons session. “I take a lot of time to pull off the aesthetic I want for each class,” says Ford.
Most of Ford’s guest teachers are women who have made their lives and careers in Mississippi.
Dean, who was honored with the 2017 People's Choice Award at the Cedars Juried Art Exhibition in Jackson, volunteered to pass on her expertise about sketching and painting in travel journals. Local talented women fill the teaching roster of Gatherings, past and present.
Upcoming classes include Betsy Greener on Calligraphy, Laurel Donahoo on Instagram 101, and Dianne Swanson’s Cinnamon Rolls. Interested parties are encouraged to visit Ford’s website and blog: www.gatherings.design for more information. Those interested in Ford’s newsletter can reach her at jillfordrealtor@comcast.net.
