Story Fest brings Hollywood stories, author and music to Mississippi College

The Institute for Southern Storytelling at Mississippi College, in partnership with the Clinton Arts Connection (formerly the Arts Council of Clinton), will host the second-annual Story Fest, a celebration of storytelling through books and film, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, in the Entergy Theater at the Gore Arts Complex on MC’s East Campus in Clinton.

The event is free and open to the public. Seating is on a first-come basis and giveaways will be shared. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m.

In collaboration with the City of Clinton’s Red Brick Roads Music and Arts Festival, Story Fest will feature Hollywood stories by Frank Ordaz, former matte artist with Industrial Light and Magic who worked on several Oscar-winning movies; a conversation with Joseph Lee Smith, an MC alum and author of the novel “Out on Yukon,” moderated by Anthony Thaxton, Institute co-founder; and musical performances by the Broken Halos, an indie folk-rock band of MC students.

Amy Bryant Thaxton, executive director of the Institute, said Story Fest celebrates the artistic side of life in a variety of mediums.

“As Southerners, we seem to have an innate ability to tell stories,” she said. “Story Fest is a community event that features creators who resonate with the audience and inspire others.

“Everyone has the desire to be creative. A big part of the Institute’s mission is to engage students and the community and show how the art of storytelling – through film, art, literature and music – can bring beauty into their lives.”

Ordaz attended the University of Southern California and graduated from the Art Center College of Design in 1980. He began painting for ILM, George Lucas’s special effects company, where he worked on blockbuster films such as “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” “The Goonies,” “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” and “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.”

In 1986, Ordaz was recognized with an Emmy for his matte paintings in “Ewok: The Battle for Endor.” In the tradition of early California artists, the Auburn, California resident paints in the open air, learning firsthand the qualities and mysteries of light.

A native of Ellijay, Georgia, Smith – the nephew of internationally acclaimed artist Samuel Gore – was roommates with Anthony Thaxton at MC before being deployed to Iraq during his freshman year. Smith’s first book, “The Blender: The First Gulf War Through the Eyes of a Teenage Soldier,” details his experiences in the conflict.

“Out on Yukon” marks his fiction debut and is illustrated by Thaxton. The pair will discuss their creative process on the tome, among other topics.

The Broken Halos will perform original music to open as well as feature the premiere of some original animation created by the group. MC students Nathan Brock and Micah Lindley are feature members of the band known for its blend of genres and artistic approach to storytelling through media. The band recently recorded an album in the Institute’s studio that has been released on vinyl.

A reception will follow Story Fest in the Gore Arts Complex lobby. Ordaz will be on hand to sign posters of his films and Smith will be available to sign copies of his book. For more information, email Amy Thaxton at cbthaxton@mc.edu.