{"id":40659,"date":"2026-05-12T15:54:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T20:54:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/?page_id=40659"},"modified":"2026-05-13T16:41:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T21:41:10","slug":"warren-county-welcome-center-vicksburg","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/warren-county-welcome-center-vicksburg\/","title":{"rendered":"Warren County Welcome Center &#8211; Vicksburg"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-vms-white-color has-vms-mblue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-b42f1759a62e1d41d0c4be76c724e731 is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-vms-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-28ef1edbea590937f877abf7990c7b54\">Mississippi Art Collection: <br>Warren County Welcome Center &#8211; Vicksburg<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Warren County Welcome Center in Vicksburg features a curated collection of original works by Mississippi artists that celebrate the cityscapes, history, and culture of the Magnolia State, offering a creative glimpse into Mississippi life. Each of the state\u2019s welcome centers showcases its own unique selection of Mississippi art, giving visitors a distinctive introduction to the creative people and noteworthy places that shape the state. The collection was curated in partnership with <a href=\"https:\/\/pacesettergallery.com\/\">Pacesetter Gallery<\/a>, whose support helps highlight the remarkable talent and vision of Mississippi\u2019s artists.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-d5417305 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">Cliff Speaks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">Hometown: Flowood, MS<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a42646689083&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a42646689083\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Final-Vicksburg-Meets-The-Blues-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40660 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Final-Vicksburg-Meets-The-Blues-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40660 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Final-Vicksburg-Meets-The-Blues-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Final-Vicksburg-Meets-The-Blues-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Final-Vicksburg-Meets-The-Blues-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Final-Vicksburg-Meets-The-Blues-533x400.jpg 533w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Final-Vicksburg-Meets-The-Blues-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Final-Vicksburg-Meets-The-Blues-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Final-Vicksburg-Meets-The-Blues.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vicksburg Meets the Blues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">This piece was inspired by many local and regional Blues musicians, including Willie Dixon. The painting embodies the spirit of Vicksburg and the rich cultural blues scene that built the area&#8217;s culture.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6a4264668942f&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"40661\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Installation-Red-Tops-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40661 lazyload\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"40661\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Installation-Red-Tops-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40661 lazyload\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Installation-Red-Tops-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Installation-Red-Tops-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Installation-Red-Tops-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Installation-Red-Tops-533x400.jpg 533w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Installation-Red-Tops-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Installation-Red-Tops-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Installation-Red-Tops.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a426466896c0&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a426466896c0\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"40662\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-WIP-Red-Tops-Artist-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40662 lazyload\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"40662\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-WIP-Red-Tops-Artist-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40662 lazyload\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-WIP-Red-Tops-Artist-576x1024.jpg 576w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-WIP-Red-Tops-Artist-169x300.jpg 169w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-WIP-Red-Tops-Artist-225x400.jpg 225w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-WIP-Red-Tops-Artist-500x889.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-WIP-Red-Tops-Artist.jpg 675w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><\/noscript><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Work in Progress<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Red Tops<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">This painting includes important locations and musicians from the Vicksburg area. The Vicksburg-based Red Tops (1953-1974) entertained dancers with their distinctive mix of blues, jazz, and pop. The group had a devoted fan base across Mississippi and neighboring states. The Red Tops were the most popular band in Mississippi during an era when nightlife was full of dancing and dressing to the nines for a night on the town.&nbsp; The group, part of a long line of dance bands in Vicksburg, started during World War II as the Rebops performing at Mississippi clubs: the Blue Room in Vicksburg, Stevens Rose Room in Jackson, Ruby\u2019s Night Spot in Leland, the Harlem Inn in Winstonville, the Plaza Hotel in Greenwood, and various Elks Lodges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Red Top musicians are painted here in their iconic red jackets with names of important local places and people tied to the Vicksburg area music scene added between the players including Anderson Cafe, Monte Carlo, Washington Street, Marcus Bottom, and Vicksburg, MS. Additional musicians jam on the canvas that were historically important to the Mississippi music scene, from Johnny Young, Percy Strother, Big Bad Smitty, Little Joe Blue, Walter Barnes, Honey Boy Edwards, Terry Evans and Charlie Patton and local music hot spots Blue Room and Lo&#8217;s Kitchen.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">As an artist who has painted and been deeply moved by the music and history of Mississippi, it was an honor to honor these individuals and the places through the creation of this piece.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Artist Bio<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Profile-805x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40452 lazyload\" style=\"width:auto;height:250px\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"805\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Profile-805x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40452 lazyload\" style=\"width:auto;height:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Profile-805x1024.jpg 805w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Profile-236x300.jpg 236w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Profile-768x976.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Profile-1208x1536.jpg 1208w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Profile-315x400.jpg 315w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Profile-500x636.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Profile-800x1017.jpg 800w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Profile-1280x1627.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Speaks-Profile.jpg 1573w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 805px) 100vw, 805px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cliff Speaks is a native of Brandon, Mississippi.&nbsp;Cliff grew up in Mississippi and still calls it home.&nbsp;His art reflects his upbringing in Mississippi. His work features rich integration of art movements such as the Mexican Muralists, Abstract Expressionism, Fauvism, Cubism, and Pop Art. His work draws on the approach of a variety of artists such as Jackson Pollock and Vincent van Gogh.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cliff arrived at painting through graphic design.&nbsp;This background serves as a bridge, transmuting the realm of the ear into that of the eye.&nbsp; Line, form, and design under the hegemony of color laid down patterns of syncopation, beat, rhythm, melody, harmony, chord, and scale.&nbsp;Instruments, instrumentalists, and music merge into a single visual composition that sounds joyful to the optic nerves.&nbsp; Cliff says, &#8220;I am especially attracted to music.&nbsp; Music is often a theme of my work. I see blues, punks, rockabilly, classical, and soul.&#8221;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition to his abstract and abstract-figurative paintings, Cliff produces pure figurative works. He is a master of creating visual performance on canvas. The viewer cannot help but recognize the type: self, friend, family members, or a universally known stranger. Cliff&#8217;s great affection for Southern culture and imagery is the impetus.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cliff&#8217;s abstract depictions and his figurative representations, both driven by a powerful use of color, endear the archetype, lift it to a joyful and soulful place, and offer to the viewer as refreshment for heart and mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cliff holds a Bachelor&#8217;s of Fine Arts degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. Cliff has created commissions for the band Three Doors Down and the Pearl River Casino.&nbsp; His works have appeared in galleries and exhibits from New York to Australia. Cliff works from his studio in Brandon, Mississippi.&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/pacesettergallery.com\/\"><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:#efefef;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">H.C. Porter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">Hometown: Jackson, MS<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6a4264668a077&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4264668a278&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4264668a278\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"40664\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Porter-Final-1024x806.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40664 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"806\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"40664\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Porter-Final-1024x806.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40664 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Porter-Final-1024x806.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Porter-Final-300x236.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Porter-Final-768x605.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Porter-Final-508x400.jpg 508w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Porter-Final-500x394.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Porter-Final-800x630.jpg 800w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Porter-Final.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jimmy &#8220;Duck&#8221; Holmes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">This portrait of Jimmy \u201cDuck\u201d Holmes shines a light on the heart of Bentonia, Mississippi, and the rare blues tradition he carries forward. Owner of the historic Blue Front Caf\u00e9, Holmes keeps the haunting sound of the Bentonia blues alive\u2014a style rooted in the legacy of Skip James and passed to him by mentor Jack Owens.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The original mixed-media painting was created for her series, <em>Blues @ Home: Mississippi\u2019s Living Blues Legends<\/em>. Porter began with her original black-and-white photograph, then transferred the image to paper using the silkscreen print-making process, finally bringing life back to the piece with layers of acrylic paint and Prismacolor pencil. The result is a richly textured, vibrant work that reflects both Holmes\u2019 music and the spirit of the place he calls home, inviting travelers to step inside a living piece of Mississippi\u2019s blues story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Porter-Profile-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40665 lazyload\" style=\"width:auto;height:250px\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Porter-Profile-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40665 lazyload\" style=\"width:auto;height:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Porter-Profile-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Porter-Profile-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Porter-Profile-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Porter-Profile-374x500.jpg 374w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Porter-Profile-500x667.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Porter-Profile-800x1067.jpg 800w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Porter-Profile.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Artist Bio<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">H.C. Porter is a nationally recognized painter, printmaker, and photographer from Jackson, Mississippi, celebrated for her distinctive mixed media \u201cenvironmental portraits\u201d that combine photography and printmaking with bold layers of color and texture. For more than three decades, she has captured vivid stories of the people and places that define Mississippi. Her acclaimed <em>Blues @ Home: Mississippi\u2019s Living Blues Legends<\/em> project documents 31 of the state\u2019s living blues legends, pairing intimate portraits with their own words to preserve a vital piece of cultural heritage. Porter\u2019s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, is part of the Smithsonian\u2019s National Museum of African American History and Culture collection, and can be experienced year-round at her gallery in downtown Vicksburg.<a href=\"http:\/\/pacesettergallery.com\/\"><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-e51bd11f wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6a4264668a994&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-1 wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4264668ab8a&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4264668ab8a\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"40668\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Final-Vicksburg-View-505x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40668 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"505\" height=\"1024\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"40668\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Final-Vicksburg-View-505x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40668 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Final-Vicksburg-View-505x1024.jpg 505w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Final-Vicksburg-View-148x300.jpg 148w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Final-Vicksburg-View-197x400.jpg 197w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Final-Vicksburg-View-500x1014.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Final-Vicksburg-View.jpg 592w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 505px) 100vw, 505px\" \/><\/noscript><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">Rick Anderson<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">Hometown: Clinton, MS<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vicksburg View of the Mississippi River<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">This painting depicts an iconic home that sits on the river bluff. You can see it perched upon the cliff from downtown Vicksburg. Beautiful stained glass windows reflect the light from high above the Mississippi River. This piece exemplifies the historic southern architecture found throughout Vicksburg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Artist Bio<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Profile-2-860x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40667 lazyload\" style=\"width:auto;height:250px\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"860\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Profile-2-860x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40667 lazyload\" style=\"width:auto;height:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Profile-2-860x1024.jpg 860w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Profile-2-252x300.jpg 252w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Profile-2-768x914.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Profile-2-336x400.jpg 336w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Profile-2-500x595.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Profile-2-800x952.jpg 800w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Profile-2.jpg 1008w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rick is a lifelong resident of Mississippi. He holds a Master of Art Education degree from Delta State University. His teaching career began in 1970 alongside his professional art career. Rick began entering state, national, and international art competitions. Some highlights include: in 1977, Rick was accepted into the Rutgers National Drawing competition; in 1978, the Rocky Mountain National Water Media Juried Exhibition; in 1978, a semifinalist in the First Annual American Artist Magazine Competition; in 1979, became a signature member of the Southern Watercolor Society. In 1995, after 25 years of teaching art in Mississippi Public Schools, he retired from the classroom to focus full-time on his professional art career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He continued to enter and be juried into watercolor society exhibitions throughout the United States and abroad. Some of these are, in 2025, watercolor societies of Georgia and Louisiana; and in 2024, Belarus International invitational, Malaysia International, and North West WS International. In 2024\u20132025, the 46th, 47th, and 48th Southern Watercolor Society, watercolor societies of Alabama, San Diego, and Louisiana. In 2023, Freedom Ukraine International, International 6, Thessaloniki, Greece, Venice International, and Fabriano International. In 2019\u20132022, National Watercolor Society Member Exhibition, American Watercolor Society Member Exhibition, International 5, Thessaloniki, Greece, Southern Watercolor Society, and National Watercolor Society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2019, he was invited to join FabrianoInAcquarello, an international watercolor organization that originated in Fabriano, Italy. Over 1,200 international watercolor artists meet for a week-long watercolor conference and an exhibition of our original watercolor paintings.&nbsp;The spring of 2025 was his fourth year attending. Also in 2025, he was selected as the USA East Leader of FabrianoInWatercolor. He was honored to have been chosen to have a nine-page feature article in <em>Watercolor Artist Magazine\u2019s <\/em>2025 Fall Issue. In 2024, Rick was selected by Daniel Smith Watercolor Materials to be a Daniel Smith Brand Ambassador and as an invited guest demo artist on ZOOM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rick owes much of his success to his wife, Merrie. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past March. They have one son, Denman, who lives and works in New York City.<a href=\"http:\/\/pacesettergallery.com\/\"><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:#efefef;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6a4264668b425&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4264668b5fb&quot;}\" 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data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"40672\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wellington-WIP-2-Windsor-300x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40672 lazyload\" style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wellington-WIP-2-Windsor-300x1024.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wellington-WIP-2-Windsor-88x300.jpg 88w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wellington-WIP-2-Windsor-117x400.jpg 117w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wellington-WIP-2-Windsor.jpg 352w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/noscript><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Work in Progress<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4264668bf1e&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4264668bf1e\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"40671\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wellington-WIP-3-Windsor-847x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40671 lazyload\" style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"847\" height=\"1024\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"40671\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wellington-WIP-3-Windsor-847x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40671 lazyload\" style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wellington-WIP-3-Windsor-847x1024.jpg 847w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wellington-WIP-3-Windsor-248x300.jpg 248w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wellington-WIP-3-Windsor-768x928.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wellington-WIP-3-Windsor-331x400.jpg 331w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wellington-WIP-3-Windsor-500x604.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wellington-WIP-3-Windsor-800x967.jpg 800w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wellington-WIP-3-Windsor.jpg 993w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 847px) 100vw, 847px\" \/><\/noscript><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Work in Progress<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">Susan Wellington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">Hometown: Flowood, MS<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Windsor Ruins<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">When I was asked to do a painting for the Vicksburg Welcome Center, my mind immediately went to the Windsor Ruins.&nbsp; I have visited the site many times, but the first time was as a young child.&nbsp; Even at my young age, I was struck by the beauty and mystery of this place.&nbsp; In the painting, I wanted to capture not just the striking geometry of those towering columns but also the haunting silence they hold. They rise from the grass like sentinels of another time\u2014scarred and weathered.&nbsp; As I took reference photos, I was struck by the way the sun slid across their surfaces, how the warm brick and cool stone shifted in color, reminding me of the mansion that once embraced them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The backdrop of trees felt essential\u2014not simply as a frame, but as a witness to the passage of years. They press in at the edges, reclaiming what man built, yet allowing the ruins to stand as a reminder. The light that falls between the columns is soft but deliberate, illuminating the emptiness where grand walls and windows once stood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">To me, this painting is about endurance and absence in equal measure. The Windsor Ruins are both a monument and a ghost\u2014an echo of ambition and loss\u2014and I wanted each brushstroke to honor that quiet, powerful contradiction.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Artist Bio<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4264668c6d1&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4264668c6d1\" class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wellington-Profile-1-1024x880.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40632 lazyload\" style=\"width:250px\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"880\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wellington-Profile-1-1024x880.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40632 lazyload\" style=\"width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wellington-Profile-1-1024x880.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wellington-Profile-1-300x258.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wellington-Profile-1-768x660.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wellington-Profile-1-466x400.jpg 466w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wellington-Profile-1-500x430.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wellington-Profile-1-800x687.jpg 800w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wellington-Profile-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Born in Sasebo, Japan, and rooted in Mississippi for most of her life, Susan has always felt a deep connection to the South\u2019s landscape and spirit. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education with a concentration in Art from Mississippi College in 1978. Although life took her away from the studio for many years, she returned to painting with renewed passion once her children were grown\u2014embracing a long-held desire to create and express.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Susan\u2019s artistic journey is one of continuous growth and exploration. Unlike many artists who specialize in a single medium, she has pursued mastery across watercolor, pastel, and oil painting. Her dedication to learning has led her to study under master artists such as Roger Dale Brown, Stephanie Birdsall, and Joe Anna Arnett. She also credits her friend and mentor, Bob Tompkins, for encouraging her development. Deeply inspired by the writings of historic art figures like John Carlson and Edgar Payne, Susan blends classical principles with hands-on experience\u2014especially through painting en plein air, which has transformed the way she sees and interprets the world around her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Drawing inspiration from the places she knows best\u2014her Mississippi home and the scenes she discovers on her travels\u2014Susan paints from life, striving to capture not only what she sees but also what she feels. Her work seeks to reveal the quiet beauty and subtle color found in each subject, creating a visual narrative that stirs emotion and memory in the viewer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Susan\u2019s talent and vision have been recognized through awards and juried selections at local, state, and national levels. She has been recognized as a \u201cFav 15%\u201d winner by the Bold Brush Art Competition and has exhibited in three Oil Painters of America National Shows and two American Impressionist Society National Shows. Her work was recently selected for inclusion in the Degas Pastel Society International show.&nbsp; One of her pieces has been acquired for the permanent collection of the Mississippi Governor\u2019s Mansion, and several have been featured on HGTV\u2019s <em>Home Town<\/em>.&nbsp; Additional accolades include honors from the Vicksburg Art Association, The Cedars Juried Show, Mississippi Watercolor Grand National Show, Art on the Rez, and Woman Painters of the Southeast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Susan is an active member of several professional organizations, including Oil Painters of America, American Impressionist Society, Mississippi Oil Painters Association, Mississippi Plein Air Artists, and the Pastel Society of Mississippi. She holds signature membership in both the Mississippi Watercolor Society and the Degas Pastel Society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When not painting, Susan enjoys reading, gardening, traveling, and spending cherished time with her husband, children, and grandchildren.<br><a href=\"http:\/\/pacesettergallery.com\/\"><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-e51bd11f wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Artist Bio<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6a4264668cc4e&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4264668ce43&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4264668ce43\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"40674\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Davenport-Final-Vicksburg-771x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40674 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"771\" height=\"1024\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"40674\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Davenport-Final-Vicksburg-771x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40674 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Davenport-Final-Vicksburg-771x1024.jpg 771w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Davenport-Final-Vicksburg-226x300.jpg 226w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Davenport-Final-Vicksburg-768x1019.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Davenport-Final-Vicksburg-301x400.jpg 301w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Davenport-Final-Vicksburg-500x664.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Davenport-Final-Vicksburg-800x1062.jpg 800w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Davenport-Final-Vicksburg.jpg 904w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 771px) 100vw, 771px\" \/><\/noscript><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Screenshot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4264668d1d0&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4264668d1d0\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"40675\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Davenport-Profile-3-807x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40675 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"807\" height=\"1024\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"40675\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Davenport-Profile-3-807x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40675 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Davenport-Profile-3-807x1024.jpg 807w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Davenport-Profile-3-237x300.jpg 237w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Davenport-Profile-3-768x974.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Davenport-Profile-3-315x400.jpg 315w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Davenport-Profile-3-500x634.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Davenport-Profile-3-800x1015.jpg 800w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Davenport-Profile-3.jpg 946w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 807px) 100vw, 807px\" \/><\/noscript><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Work in Progress<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">Tony Davenport<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">Hometown: Vicksburg, MS<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Vicksburg at Dusk<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">The inspiration behind this artwork was in celebration of the city of Vicksburg&#8217;s Bicentennial. In addition to being known as the River City, Vicksburg has a rich musical history as a hotbed of gospel, blues, bluegrass, and R&amp;B. The concept of the painting consists of a group of musicians performing against the backdrop of The Hotel Vicksburg in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The musicians were painted with their backs to the viewer, to invite the viewer to engage with the inner workings of the composition. The historical context of this painting communicates that The Vicksburg, which opened on the Fourth of July, 1929, was not only fireproof but also, for many years, the tallest building between Memphis and New Orleans. The hotel closed on November 14, 1975. The Vicksburg was sold in 1978, and the conversion into apartments began. Today, the apartments offer a great view of the Mississippi River.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4264668d87d&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4264668d87d\" class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/images.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40676 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"225\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/images.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40676 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/images.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/images-150x150.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/noscript><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;Tony Davenport hails from Vicksburg, Mississippi. Davenport earned his BFA in Fine Arts from Jackson State University in 2002 and received a MAT in Teaching from Memphis College of Art in 2019. Tony is a certified K-12 Visual Arts teacher who has taught visual art in Mississippi and Tennessee for 18 years. As an art educator, he believes that arts integration is vital in teaching children to use creativity to navigate social interaction among people, cultures, and communities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As an artist, he is tasked to use creativity as a driving force for change. His work is purposed to spark dialogue and awareness concerning issues related to social and cultural relevance. In addition, visual representations are paired with historical and musical references to tell stories that transcend place and time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His painting style is influenced by the work of artists Ernie Barnes, Norman Rockwell, and Jack Vettriano. Davenport has illustrated magazine covers for the <em>Jackson Free Press<\/em> and official posters for Mississippi Delta Blues and Heritage Festivals (2006, 2008, 2015 &amp; 2023).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The artist was recently awarded a Visual Artist Fellowship by the Mississippi Arts Commission (2024) and is also on the Artist and Teaching Artist rosters. In addition to being an accomplished artist, Davenport also performs as a live event painter.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Davenport&#8217;s creative process is Neo-Mannerism, consisting of painted elongated figures expressing movement and emotion coupled with historic southern landmarks, symbols, icons, and themes. He also incorporates both underpaintings and collages into his compositions, creating the illusion of depth and dimension.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His art is intended to engage the viewer, inviting them to engage with the work&#8217;s conceptual thought as an active participant. Moreover, the painted interpretations of locations and figures are not limited to aesthetic appeal; they also challenge the viewer to make connections between what they see, drawing on diverse social and cultural experiences.&nbsp;<br><a href=\"http:\/\/pacesettergallery.com\/\"><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mississippi Art Collection: Warren County Welcome Center &#8211; Vicksburg The Warren County Welcome Center in Vicksburg features a curated collection of original works by Mississippi artists that celebrate the cityscapes, history, and culture of the Magnolia State, offering a creative [\u2026]<\/p>\n<p>\n","protected":false},"author":708,"featured_media":42070,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-block.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-40659","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"is_tracked":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Warren County Welcome Center - Vicksburg - Visit Mississippi<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Warren County Welcome Center - Vicksburg - Visit Mississippi\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Mississippi Art Collection: Warren County Welcome Center &#8211; 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Vicksburg"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/#website","url":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/","name":"Visit Mississippi","description":"The State for Wanderers","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/#organization","name":"Visit Mississippi","url":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/visitmslogo-dark.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/visitmslogo-dark.png","width":275,"height":111,"caption":"Visit Mississippi"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}}]}},"coauthors":[],"author_meta":{"author_link":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/author\/mwb\/","display_name":"Knol Aust"},"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 2 months ago","modified":"Updated 2 months ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on May 12, 2026","modified":"Updated on May 13, 2026"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on May 12, 2026 3:54 pm","modified":"Updated on May 13, 2026 4:41 pm"},"featured_img_caption":"","featured_img":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Speaks-Hero.jpg","series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/40659","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/708"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40659"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/40659\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42070"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40659"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}