Authors' Museum Returns to Bell Shoals With 'Light in the Darkness'

The Authors’ Museum at Bell Shoals Baptist Academy returns for a second year, an opportunity to showcase writing as a passion, with students presenting their work as performers, teachers and exhibitors to classmates, teachers, parents and the general public.

This year's event is scheduled for Feb. 17, from 6:30-9:30 p.m., at the school in Brandon, at 2102 Bell Shoals Road.

This year's theme, "A Light in the Darkness," had students studying children soldiers and refugees and events such as the Holocaust and the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

“Not to be critical of FCAT and (other standardized tests), but until you motivate someone to write from the heart, until you touch someone, you cannot get them to write,” said teacher and museum curator Tammy Perkins said, in discussing last year's inaugural author's museum

“My gifts as a writer will come out when I’m brokenhearted, when I’m full of joy. Those are the times to get me to write,” Perkins said. “And that’s what we need to create in the classroom, get people to write from the heart and not from the prompt.”

The museum features the work of students in kindergarten through grade 8, who have “published" their stories and pictures together into books that will be on display in the library. Performances will be staged as well.

Attendees are asked to become "A Light in the Darkness" with a donation of new and slightly used shoes for the homeless. Everyone who makes a donation will be given a card representing a child of the Holocaust. A quiet reflection and prayer. 

Visitors also will have the opportunity to make a family tile, which will be displayed in the school’s future Writing Garden. Food court refreshments will be available.

Another ministry the museum will support is the Beit Elazraki Children’s Home in Israel. When visitors shop in the museum gift shop for fine jewelry, books and hand-crafted items, all proceeds will go to support the children's home.

“It is our desire that you will be able to enjoy a relaxing and creative evening with your family," Perkins said. I am humbled when I think of the joy that this evening is going to bring to our Savior, Yeshua. Surely His smile will light the evening as our children give their talents to His work."

Perkins can be reached at tperkins@bsbacademy.com.

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