JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI.- The Mississippi Museum of Art and the Historic Natchez Foundation are partnering to present Natchez Day on Saturday, January 8, 2011 at the Museum. Set against the backdrop of bold and beautiful artwork by Natchezian Rolland Golden, Natchez Day celebrates the people and the cultural tradition of art in and from that great port city.

Planned in conjunction with the exhibition, River and Reverie: Paintings of the Mississippi by Roland Golden, Natchez Day follows Natchez Week at the Museum, January 5 through January 8, 2011. During that week, Museum admission is free for Natchezians, and the work of Natchez artists and writers will be available for purchase in The Museum Store.

Natchez Day offers a variety of events to which all Natchezians, past and present, are cordially invited. The day begins with brunch in the Museum's Trustmark Grand Hall at 11:00 AM at which Natchez native and Museum Registrar Joanna Biglane McNeel will deliver a lecture on historical Natchez art. Music for the event will be provided by pianist Joseph Stone, also of Natchez. Brunch concludes with a tour of the exhibition led by Golden, who will discuss the sights, sounds, and experiences of living in Natchez and painting the nearby Mississippi River.

During the afternoon, visitors will have the opportunity to tour some of Jackson's most exciting newly-revitalized historic sites. David Preziosi, former Natchez City Planner and Director of the Mississippi Heritage Trust, serves as tour director for an itinerary that includes stops at the Old Capitol Museum, the reopened King Edward Hotel (now The Hilton Garden Inn - King Edward Hotel), the recently-renovated Standard Life Building, and historic Union Station. Developer David Watkins, son of the late Natchez Mayor Troy Watkins, leads participants through the King Edward and Standard Life buildings, the restoration of both having been spearheaded by him. Former Natchezian Karen Redhead leads a private tour of the Eudora Welty House, located in Jackson's historic Belhaven neighborhood.

Natchez Day culminates with a festive cocktail reception at the Museum at 5:00 PM, complete with live music by Jazz LTD of Natchez.

According to Museum Director Betsy Bradley, "By hosting such events as Natchez Day, the Museum is living into its mission of engaging Mississippians in the visual arts, while multiplying the numbers of Mississippians who feel a direct ownership of the Museum. We are thrilled to present this group of Mr. Golden's paintings, and are particularly pleased to have the opportunity to host his fellow Natchezians."