‘Katrina +10’ has huge week in offing

The Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art’s “Katrina +10” exhibition, on the cusp of welcoming its 10,000th visitor to the east Biloxi museum, is heading into one of the busiest weeks of its six-month run.

This week, the museum hosts presentations by Bay St. Louis native, author and former CNN journalist Kathleen Koch, former Bay St. Louis Mayor Eddie Favre and the world-renowned Hurricane Hunters. Additionally, there will be a double feature of post-Katrina films:  “Building Blocks,” the Mississippi Department of Archives and History documentary about rebuilding community landmarks along the Gulf Coast, and “Katrina +10,” the documentary featuring Coast mayors and other civic leaders about the rebuilding and recovery along the Gulf Coast.

And if all that wasn’t enough, there’s a reception to mark the opening of a new Ohr-O’Keefe exhibit showcasing the post-Katrina works of Marlin Miller, who created the majority of the Katrina sculptures in Biloxi and along the Gulf Coast.

The programs are being presented in conjunction with “Katrina +10,” the six-month exhibit that features multi-media exhibits of recovery from Mississippi Power, the Sun Herald, WLOX, the Mississippi Department of Transportation and Hands on Mississippi.

The multi-media exhibit, underwritten by Hancock Bank, Walmart, C Spire and the exhibitors, is open seven days a week for the run of “Katrina +10.” Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. Details: www.katrinaplus10.com

“This exhibition has been one of the biggest successes in the 17-year history of the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art,” said Kevin O’Brien, executive director of the museum. “And it’s fitting that we’re on the verge of welcoming our 10,000th visitor as we enter one of our biggest weeks.

“If you haven’t seen the exhibit yet, or even if you have, this is one the best times to see it, with the huge week of presentations we are offering.”

This week’s lineup, all events will be held at the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art:

Wednesday, May 27, 7 p.m. – An Evening with Kathleen Koch. The Bay St. Louis native and former CNN correspondent shares insights she developed while authoring an award-winning book, “Rising from Katrina: How My Mississippi Hometown Lost It All and Found What Mattered,” and two Peabody Award-winning documentaries about the storm. Sponsored by WLOX. No admission fee; $10 suggested donation.

Thursday, May 28, 5:30 to 7 p.m. – Building Blocks and “Katrina +10.” As the grand finale of the city’s Preservation in May series, the Ohr-O’Keefe will host a showing of “Building Blocks,” a Mississippi Department of Archives and History documentary about the post-Katrina rebuilding of historic properties along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and “Katrina +10,” the post-Katrina documentary featuring Coast mayors and other leaders speaking about rebuilding and recovery.

Friday, May 29, noon – “Eddie Favre: The Long and Short of It.” The former mayor of Bay St. Louis discusses the devastation of Bay St. Louis and the painstaking process of digging from the rubble, and the national celebrity he took on in the process. $10 fee, includes lunch in the Katrina Cafe, presentation and admission into the museum. Reservations required by 5 p.m. Thursday. Call 374-5547 or reserve online at www.katrinaplus10.com.

Friday, May 29, 5 to 7:30 p.m. – Opening reception for Marlin Miller’s “Reflection of Emotions.” See the latest creations from Marlin Miller, the man who created the majority of the Katrina sculpture trail along U.S. 90 in Biloxi and neighboring cities. The free exhibition of Miller’s work will run from May 29 through Sept. 12 in the welcome center at the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art.

Sunday, May 31, 2 p.m. – An afternoon with the Hurricane Hunters. On the eve of the 2015 Hurricane Season, the world-renowned Hurricane Hunters will explain their harrowing missions and the importance to storm forecasting. Presentation will include video clips and first-person accounts, plus an autograph session.