It’s a warm and all-encompassing embrace. From her necklace of pine needles, beadwork by Andrea Thompson, to the adorable Roz Roy painting on her side table, it’s all there. Patterson enjoys sharing this embrace. Virginia Alice Bookhart Patterson, the daughter of Mary Alice Bookhart (longtime women’s editor at The Clarion-Ledger), was raised on arts events that would later win her love. V.A. V.A. The listener. The cheerleader. The promoter. Facilitator. The facilitator. She said, “I love all arts,” referring to a passion that has led her to both professional and volunteer endeavors. Patterson was honored earlier this year at the Governor’s Arts Awards, Mississippi Arts Commission’s 30th Annual Community Arts Leader Award. Patterson laughed when she remembered her earliest memories of arts. A photo of Patterson in tap dancing costume was proof. She said she was five years old, and recalled her kindergarten art projects. As a child, I struggled with piano lessons. But, the appreciation ends. She took in every moment. Virginia Alice, her mother, was a reporter who covered many of the performers who came to Jackson. She would often go to rehearsals and concerts with her mother. She was more interested in reporting than her mother in high school. However, her junior year she appeared in The Curious Savage, a play at Central High. After graduating from Millsaps College she worked in Tulane University’s special collections, followed by research on 19th-century cabinetmakers at University of Texas Library. She then spent time at two New Orleans historic house museums. Patti Carr Black, then-Old Capitol Museum director, asked Patterson to become the first curator of the Manship House. This restored home of Civil War Mayor of Jackson and artisan Charles Henry Manship, Patterson was appointed in 1980. Patterson spoke of the building of an accredited museum and said that she is forever grateful to Patti Carr Black. Patterson shared her experience with Patterson about the time she met travel writers on tour and mentioned plans to create a seasonal display at the house, including slipcovers and mosquito nets. House Beautiful reached out to Patterson, asking if she could cover the project. However, work was still ongoing. The magazine paid to have slipcovers made and lace curtains hung on windows. Patterson stated, “It was amazing… because it wouldn’t have been a really long while before we could have done this.” Memories also include her time with children on Christmas by Candlelight tours and working with Lester Senter Wilson, mezzo-soprano, to create a series of Sunday arts programs at Manship House. Patterson’s involvement in community arts included roles at the Historic Natchez Foundation, USA International Ballet Competition, as well as executive director positions at VSA Mississippi, the state agency on arts and disabilities. The Craftsmen’s Guild was a place where members and their craft woven their way into Patterson’s life. She still treasures the Chimneyville Crafts Festival. She said that there is so much that goes into it, and that people will be so impressed by what they see. VSA Mississippi was her first chance to work with people with disabilities. She was touched by the joy of helping people find new or renewed social outlets. She also expanded the program of residencies for artists in schools in inclusive schools throughout the state. Patterson, together with Leslie Roark Scott, started the Community Art Group program for adults with disabilities. Participants were encouraged to express their creativity in a supportive environment and were encouraged by their peers, families, and the community. Some people have gone on to pursue artistic careers. Roz Roy, a Jackson artist, said that meeting Patterson was a “divine order.” Patterson encouraged Roy to paint, despite her current focus on digital print design. He said, “I guarantee that you’ll start selling.” Roy was then blessed with VSA Mississippi workshops. They really encouraged me,” connecting her to opportunities and more. Roy stated that she was more than an executive Director. Roy said, “She was like my mother and a friend.” She is passionate about art. She recognized my gift and talent, and she wanted me to continue the program if I left. “She would do the extra mile.” Patterson, now 79, is a retired volunteer who serves as The Oaks House Museum board of director, Scott Ford Houses board of directs and chair of the research committee, Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi Archivist, Mississippi Book Festival consultant, and Goodwill Industries Volunteer Services Celebration of the Arts consultant. Patterson’s cultural nod to Patterson’s own approach is reflected in a cardboard cutout of Elvis Presley, wearing a Mississippi Book Festival lanyard, Mardi Gras beads, and anchoring a corner her foyer. In a jolly costume, she is joined by her fellow parade marchers Krewe of Kazoo members. She then walks downtown Jackson in March with her cohorts to raise hot pink umbrellas for another creative/community combo. “It’s probably the only time that I can make a fool out of myself on Capitol Street, my daughter isn’t embarrassed about it and my mother wouldn’t have thought it was too!