The “best” entry and seven other top award-winning works by Mississippi State art majors are on display through March 13 at The Arts Center of Mississippi in Jackson.
Now in its 65th year, the Mississippi Collegiate Arts exhibit is part of statewide juried competition involving submissions by student artists enrolled in the various four-year colleges and universities.
This year’s contest drew more than 700 submissions from nearly a dozen institutions. Of that number, 54 entries by MSU art majors were among nearly 140 judged worthy of inclusion in the arts center exhibit.
Best in Show honors went to senior Thomas M. McBroom of Starkville for an oil painting titled “Pig 3.” An art major concentrating in fine art/painting, he is the son of Allen and Lynn McBroom.
“This year’s dominance in both the number of entries anonymously chosen for inclusion into the Mississippi Collegiate Art Competition and in the recognition of so many of our students’ works of art as the best in category and ultimately, the best in show, supports what we all believe and work for every day,” said Angi Bourgeois, MSU’s interim art department head.
Jean Donegan, art department head and ceramics professor at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, was juror for the 2015 MCA competition.
More awards
In addition to McBroom’s top honor, senior Ronnie B. Robinson of West Point earned an Award of Excellence. She is the daughter of Ronny and Donna Robinson.
Five other MSU art majors receiving Awards of Excellence include junior Lorianna Livingston of Belair, Maryland; senior Kierre Dawkins of Brandon; senior Eleanor “Ellie” Bailey of Carnation, Washington; senior Cameron McMaster of Kiln; and Michael Wilkerson of Tupelo.
Professor Brent Funderburk, a former art department head, joined Bourgeois in extending the faculty’s congratulation to this year’s winners. “Eight of the total 12 awards were given to MSU art students — this bespeaks of our continuing preeminence as a strong regional art program,” he said.
He also expressed the department’s appreciation of Mark Wood, owner of Chalet Arts in Starkville, for “providing ‘Chalet Scholarships’ for the framing and presentation needs of students preparing artworks for the collegiate show.”
The Arts Center of Mississippi is located at 201 E. Pascagoula St. Viewing hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday, and noon-5 p.m., Sunday.
Part of the College of Architecture, Art and Design, MSU’s art department offers a bachelor of fine arts degree, with concentrations in graphic design, photography and fine art (ceramics, drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture). For more information, visit caad.msstate.edu, follow the department on Facebook or Twitter, or phone 662-325-2202.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.