{"id":40680,"date":"2026-05-12T16:07:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T21:07:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/?page_id=40680"},"modified":"2026-05-13T16:45:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T21:45:08","slug":"pike-county-welcome-center-magnolia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/pike-county-welcome-center-magnolia\/","title":{"rendered":"Pike County Welcome Center &#8211; Magnolia"},"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-045e8c506e2726f5076e49bfec385d38 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-349296ca06691f3d5e93676499e9f335\">Mississippi Art Collection: <br>Pike County Welcome Center &#8211; Magnolia<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Pike County Welcome Center in Magnolia 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\">Rick Anderson<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">Hometown: Clarksdale, 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;6a42639265450&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 data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a426392658fa&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a426392658fa\" 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=\"40683\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Final-1024x1015.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40683 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1015\" 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=\"40683\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Final-1024x1015.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40683 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Final-1024x1015.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Final-300x297.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Final-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Final-768x761.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Final-404x400.jpg 404w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Final-500x495.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Final-800x793.jpg 800w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-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\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nature&#8217;s Palette<\/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)\">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.<\/p>\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\">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-2-1-860x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40682 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-2-1-860x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40682 lazyload\" style=\"width:auto;height:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Profile-2-1-860x1024.jpg 860w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Profile-2-1-252x300.jpg 252w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Profile-2-1-768x914.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Profile-2-1-336x400.jpg 336w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Profile-2-1-500x595.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Profile-2-1-800x952.jpg 800w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anderson-Profile-2-1.jpg 1008w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reared in the Mississippi Delta, Rick Anderson believes there is &#8220;magic&#8221; in the South, and it is where he fell in love with art, starting his lifelong journey of creation. He displays his contemporary realist style, combining abstract forms often with realistic images, in numerous galleries and competitive shows. His favorite media are acrylic, mixed media, watercolor, pencil, and collage, which he often combines to create landscapes, figurative, and contemporary work.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although his gallery works are at times highly imaginative, Anderson also enjoys painting realistic illustrations in the children&#8217;s books that he illustrates. Rick&#8217;s retrospective exhibit of 97 works at the Meridian Museum of Art revealed a wide range of techniques, from photographic pencil drawings to small and large contemporary two-dimensional mixed-media works on canvas and paper.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With a career spanning over four decades, he has worked both as a professional artist and an art educator. His commitment to producing art while teaching left an impression on his students, and many still consider him a mentor and friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;I am a lifelong resident of Mississippi. I hold a Master of Art Education degree from Delta State University. My teaching career began in 1970 alongside my professional art career. I also began entering state, national, and international art competitions. Here is a partial list: In 1977, I 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; and in 1979, became a signature member of the Southern Watercolor Society. In 1995, after 25 years of teaching art in Mississippi Public Schools, I retired from the classroom to focus full-time on my professional art career. I continued entering and being juried into watercolor society exhibitions throughout the United States and abroad.&#8221;<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--60);padding-bottom: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;6a4263926619f&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;6a42639266379&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a42639266379\" 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=\"40684\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Roark-Final-1024x500.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40684 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"500\" 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=\"40684\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Roark-Final-1024x500.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40684 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Roark-Final-1024x500.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Roark-Final-300x147.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Roark-Final-768x375.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Roark-Final-540x264.jpg 540w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Roark-Final-500x244.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Roark-Final-800x391.jpg 800w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Roark-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<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">Carol Roark<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">Hometown: Enid, MS<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cypress Solitude<\/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)\">I love the Mississippi landscape, especially the Delta and wetlands. Our state is so uniquely beautiful, and that beauty is often underappreciated. I love the life of a cypress break in all seasons. This particular piece depicts an early November morning with an overcast sky. The cypress trees turn a brilliant rust red in the fall, and the fallen leaves blanket the water. On overcast mornings like this one, all the soft, muted colors harmonize with the stately cypress trunks covered in green lichen. I hope the viewer can feel a chill in the air and hear the symphony of geese overhead as they step into this serene piece of Mississippi.<\/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\/Roark-Profile-WIP-837x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40685 lazyload\" style=\"width:auto;height:250px\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"837\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Roark-Profile-WIP-837x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40685 lazyload\" style=\"width:auto;height:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Roark-Profile-WIP-837x1024.jpg 837w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Roark-Profile-WIP-245x300.jpg 245w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Roark-Profile-WIP-768x939.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Roark-Profile-WIP-327x400.jpg 327w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Roark-Profile-WIP-500x612.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Roark-Profile-WIP-800x979.jpg 800w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Roark-Profile-WIP.jpg 981w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 837px) 100vw, 837px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After receiving her BFA from Mississippi State University,&nbsp; Carol spent several years as an equine illustrator and portrait artist. She created cover designs for <em>The Chronicle of the Horse<\/em>, <em>Equine Art News<\/em>, and helped illustrate the biography <em>America\u2019s Horse<\/em>, based on the life of famed quarter horse Rugged Lark. She was the official artist and program cover designer for the Dixie National Quarter Horse Show from 1995 through 2005, becoming very successful and receiving much recognition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With a passion for painting landscapes, she was introduced to artist Sammy Britt during a week-long workshop in 1997. This was a defining factor in becoming the artist she is today. Britt, a professor at Delta State University, studied extensively under famed colorist Henry Hensche. Until then, she had never worked plein air and was not even familiar with the term, but for the next 10 years she studied under Britt&#8217;s direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Through the study of colorist theories and by working strictly on location, Carol learned to see color, light key, and atmosphere in ways she had never imagined. The enjoyment of plein air rekindled her admiration for the Mississippi landscape. That love has become evident in her portrayal of the Southern landscape. When asked what she feels is most important in her art, Roark says, \u201cI just want to show the world the beauty that is right in front of them. I love the South and the Southern landscape, and I think the beauty here is overlooked. It\u2019s all about finding the extraordinary in the ordinary\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Carol is a member of the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society,&nbsp; Oil Painters of America, The Mississippi Oil Painters Association, Mississippi Plein Air Painters, and is the past president of the Memphis Germantown Art League. She is represented by Oxford Treehouse Gallery, Oxford, Mississippi; Caron Gallery South, Laurel, Mississippi; and Pacesetter Gallery, Flowood, Mississippi. She is also the owner of Roark Studios, where she has taught weekly classes and workshops since 1994.&nbsp;<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<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;6a42639266d70&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a42639266d70\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img 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src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rounds-WIP-1-813x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40687 lazyload\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"813\" 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=\"40687\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rounds-WIP-1-813x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40687 lazyload\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rounds-WIP-1-813x1024.jpg 813w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rounds-WIP-1-238x300.jpg 238w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rounds-WIP-1-768x967.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rounds-WIP-1-318x400.jpg 318w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rounds-WIP-1-500x630.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rounds-WIP-1-800x1007.jpg 800w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rounds-WIP-1.jpg 953w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 813px) 100vw, 813px\" \/><\/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;6a42639267375&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a42639267375\" 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=\"40691\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rounds-WIP-3-750x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40691 lazyload\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" 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=\"40691\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rounds-WIP-3-750x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40691 lazyload\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rounds-WIP-3-750x1024.jpg 750w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rounds-WIP-3-220x300.jpg 220w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rounds-WIP-3-768x1048.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rounds-WIP-3-293x400.jpg 293w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rounds-WIP-3-500x683.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rounds-WIP-3-800x1092.jpg 800w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rounds-WIP-3.jpg 879w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/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\">Charles Rounds III<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">Hometown: Florence, MS<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Eddie Cotton Jr. at the Alamo<\/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 evocative mixed-media portrait of Eddie Cotton Jr. captures a landmark moment in Mississippi blues history\u2014his 2000 performance at the iconic Alamo Theatre on Farish Street in Jackson, immortalized on his Live at the Alamo Theatre album. Rendered in graphite with expressive precision, the portrait conveys the quiet intensity and emotional depth of Cotton\u2019s performance as he appears mid-song, eyes closed, with his guitar held like an extension of his voice; every detail, from the tension in his hand to the tilt of his head, reflects the intimacy and power of live blues. Carefully placed white highlights sharpen the softness of the graphite, creating dimension and emphasizing the play of stage light across his face and instrument, while the Alamo Theatre\u2019s vertical neon sign looms behind him in stark architectural lines, grounding the piece in cultural and historical significance. Watercolor will later be layered around this central graphite rendering, introducing bold, expressive color\u2014electric blues, radiant purples, and fiery oranges\u2014inspired by contemporary Southern expressionism, creating a vivid contrast with the tonal realism of the portrait. The choice of tan-toned paper bridges tradition and modernity, absorbing both graphite and watercolor in a way that mimics memory itself\u2014layered, textured, and deeply human. More than a portrait, Echoes of the Blues is a portal into a pivotal moment in blues history, capturing the electricity of a performance, the legacy of a place, and the soul of an artist who continues to shape Mississippi\u2019s sound.<\/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\/Round-Profile-Final--768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40692 lazyload\" style=\"width:auto;height:250px\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Round-Profile-Final--768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40692 lazyload\" style=\"width:auto;height:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Round-Profile-Final--768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Round-Profile-Final--225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Round-Profile-Final--300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Round-Profile-Final--374x500.jpg 374w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Round-Profile-Final--500x667.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Round-Profile-Final--800x1067.jpg 800w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Round-Profile-Final-.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Charles Rounds III is a multidisciplinary artist and architectural designer from Florence, Mississippi, whose work blends visual storytelling, faith, community, and social consciousness.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From an early age, Rounds showed a deep affinity for drawing and creative expression. He began drawing seriously as a child and credits the influence of family and educators for nurturing his artistic gifts. During his high school years, he was enrolled in the Power APAC (Academic and Performing Arts Complex) program through Murrah High School in Jackson, which helped sharpen his skills and provide opportunities in the visual arts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rounds\u2019 work often reflects his spiritual foundation. He describes his artistic process as guided by faith, seeking to \u201cuse my hands as a manifestation of drawing what I believe.\u201d His pieces frequently combine graphite, watercolor, burnt paper, and mixed media elements to craft narrative-driven compositions that invite reflection, contemplation, and conversation.<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;6a42639267b62&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;6a42639267d2b&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a42639267d2b\" 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=\"40698\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rawlinson-Final-1-1024x789.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40698 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"789\" 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=\"40698\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rawlinson-Final-1-1024x789.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40698 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rawlinson-Final-1-1024x789.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rawlinson-Final-1-300x231.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rawlinson-Final-1-768x592.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rawlinson-Final-1-519x400.jpg 519w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rawlinson-Final-1-500x385.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rawlinson-Final-1-800x617.jpg 800w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rawlinson-Final-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<\/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\">David Rawlinson<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">Hometown: Holly Springs, MS<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hay Time on the Farm<\/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 was inspired by an early morning drive on Mississippi Highway 4 between Holly Springs and Ashland, Mississippi. I love driving the back roads at this time of year, watching hay being cut and baled.&nbsp;<\/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\/Rawlinson-Profile-1024x738.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40694 lazyload\" style=\"width:250px\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"738\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rawlinson-Profile-1024x738.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40694 lazyload\" style=\"width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rawlinson-Profile-1024x738.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rawlinson-Profile-300x216.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rawlinson-Profile-768x554.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rawlinson-Profile-540x389.jpg 540w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rawlinson-Profile-500x360.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rawlinson-Profile-800x577.jpg 800w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rawlinson-Profile.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After receiving a BFA in Advertising Design from Memphis College of Art, David Rawlinson worked as an Art Director for several advertising agencies in Memphis and Little Rock, AR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 1987, he began his own Graphic Design company in Collierville, TN. For 30 years, his company provided marketing and design services to a wide range of clients, from agricultural chemical and seed companies to manufacturers and service providers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After a long and successful career in graphic design, David left the world of logos and layout to follow the unpredictable journey of the brush. Living in iconic Southern cities such as New Orleans, LA; Memphis, TN; Little Rock, AR; and Holly Springs, MS, has shaped the artist&#8217;s style and influences.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Whatever the inspiration, my paintings share one well-defined theme: the striking beauty of contrast. The work presents people, places, and objects in settings of chaotic serenity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the late 60&#8217;s, I lived with my mother in the French Quarter of New Orleans. She was a portrait artist on Jackson Square. I began painting while attending high school in New Orleans and working in a frame shop after school. While working in the frame shop, I got to know many different artists who lived in the French Quarter. That early art environment in such a unique place was a valuable asset to my art career&#8221;.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">David Rawlinson is a member of Memphis Germantown Art League (MGAL), Artistlink, Mid-Southern Watercolorist Tennessee Watercolor Society and has won MGAL Winder Exhibition: 2nd Place, 2019 MGAL Star Artist Exhibition: Best of Show and Honorable Mention, 2020 GCVAA (Gibson County Visual Arts Association): Honorable Mention, 2020 Southern Appalachian Artist Guild (Annual Exhibition): 1st Place, 2021 Mid-South Watercolorist: Dick Blick Award, 2021 MGAL Spring Exhibition Honorable Mention, Cover Artist for Mississippi Poetry Society 2023 Contest Edition and was honored with poetry recited, inspired by his work, at Pacesetter Gallery.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His work, <em>Anchored to the Ground<\/em>, was featured through Pacesetter Gallery in the &#8220;Design in Mississippi&#8221; feature in the summer 2024 issue of <em>Elle Decor<\/em>, and his work can be found in commercial and residential spaces across Mississippi and the U.S.<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;6a42639268568&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 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\/><\/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\">Linda J. Peters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">Hometown: Oxford, MS<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Alfalfa<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This oil painting grew from many hours of study, sketches, photographs, and plein air sessions in the small community of Bruce, Mississippi. The goal was to take an everyday rural scene and transform it into \u201ccolorful music for the eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you look at Alfalfa, imagine the smell of freshly cut hay, the contrast of golden bales against the green fields they came from, and the warmth of the Mississippi sun balanced by the cool shade of nearby trees.<\/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)\">Hopefully, this work inspires viewers to see the hayfields that dot our state not just as farmland, but as living, seasonal works of art\u2014reminders that creativity is a blessing and beauty is all around us.<\/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\/Peters-Profile-1-920x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40701 lazyload\" style=\"width:250px\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"920\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Peters-Profile-1-920x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40701 lazyload\" style=\"width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Peters-Profile-1-920x1024.jpg 920w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Peters-Profile-1-270x300.jpg 270w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Peters-Profile-1-768x855.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Peters-Profile-1-359x400.jpg 359w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Peters-Profile-1-500x557.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Peters-Profile-1-800x891.jpg 800w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Peters-Profile-1.jpg 1078w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 920px) 100vw, 920px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Linda J. Peters is a Mississippi landscape painter whose work captures the character and beauty of her home state. Born and raised in Hamilton, she is a self-taught artist working primarily in oils, with a passion for painting en plein air (painting outdoors)\u2014immersed in the fields, rivers, and skies that define Mississippi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now living in Lafayette County near Oxford with her husband, Brad, Linda is an active leader in the arts. She belongs to organizations such as the Oxford Artists\u2019 Guild, Mississippi Oil Painters Association, Plein Air South, and the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, and she founded the Mississippi Plein Air Painters to celebrate the state&#8217;s unique landscapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her artwork and her leadership in building a statewide plein air community have been featured in <em>Mississippi Outdoors<\/em> magazine and local newspapers. She has received numerous awards and grants from the Mississippi Arts Commission for advancing the arts as both cultural expression and community gathering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Linda is dedicated to connecting people to Mississippi through the arts. She leads weekly studio sessions in partnership with the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council and exhibits her work at Pacesetter Gallery in Flowood, online at pacesettergallery.com, and the Oxford Artists\u2019 Guild Gallery in Southern Magnolia. Travelers can experience Mississippi\u2019s landscapes through her paintings \u2014 from the Delta\u2019s open fields to the rolling hills around Oxford \u2014 and discover why the state\u2019s art scene is as rich and inspiring as its natural beauty.&nbsp;<br><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;6a42639269a2f&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-7 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a42639269bf8&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a42639269bf8\" 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=\"40705\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Buckley-Final-680x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40705 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" 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=\"40705\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Buckley-Final-680x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40705 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Buckley-Final-680x1024.jpg 680w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Buckley-Final-199x300.jpg 199w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Buckley-Final-768x1156.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Buckley-Final-266x400.jpg 266w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Buckley-Final-500x753.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Buckley-Final.jpg 797w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><\/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\">Mary Parker Buckley<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">Hometown: Pickens, MS<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Secrets<\/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)\">I deeply admire Mississippi Cypress swamps and the serene atmosphere they convey to all who visit.&nbsp;It is my desire to capture this mystical atmosphere on canvas for others to enjoy.<\/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\/Buckley-Profile-741x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40706 lazyload\" style=\"width:250px\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"741\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Buckley-Profile-741x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40706 lazyload\" style=\"width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Buckley-Profile-741x1024.jpg 741w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Buckley-Profile-217x300.jpg 217w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Buckley-Profile-768x1062.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Buckley-Profile-289x400.jpg 289w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Buckley-Profile-500x691.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Buckley-Profile-800x1106.jpg 800w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Buckley-Profile.jpg 868w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 741px) 100vw, 741px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;Mary Parker Buckley is a wife, mother, and grandmother who loves to paint! She is self-taught for the most part, but also learned much from her mother, Anne Parker, who was an art teacher and a professional artist in the Jackson Area.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;&#8220;I love to paint in a spontaneous, free fashion and see what the canvas decides to be. I usually start with an image that captures beauty and go from there. It&#8217;s a spiritual endeavor for me as I seek to glorify the one who created beauty for us to enjoy,&#8221; states Mary.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mary Parker Buckley&#8217;s work can be found in galleries in Mississippi, the Community Bank Waterpointe Collection, and in commercial and residential homes across the United States.<br><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;6a4263926a367&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-8 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4263926a51b&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4263926a51b\" 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=\"40708\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wiley-Profile-Final-649x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40708 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"649\" 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=\"40708\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wiley-Profile-Final-649x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40708 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wiley-Profile-Final-649x1024.jpg 649w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wiley-Profile-Final-190x300.jpg 190w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wiley-Profile-Final-254x400.jpg 254w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wiley-Profile-Final-500x788.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wiley-Profile-Final.jpg 761w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 649px) 100vw, 649px\" \/><\/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\">Final<\/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\">Jamese Wiley<\/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<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Grace of Transformation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a transplant to Mississippi, Jamese looks at our state from a new perspective. Her artistic and spiritual journey has been greatly inspired by the faith of Mississippi\u2019s people. For this piece in the Welcome Center, Jamese created an emotional abstract journey of faith. In <em>The Grace of Transformation<\/em>, she uses deep blues and tempestuous movements to show the internal turmoil and storminess of life and trials. Using metallic gold, she shows how heaven spills out and how God\u2019s presence is seen through all life\u2019s storms.&nbsp;<\/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\/Wiley-Profile-1024x1009.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40709 lazyload\" style=\"width:250px\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1009\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wiley-Profile-1024x1009.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40709 lazyload\" style=\"width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wiley-Profile-1024x1009.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wiley-Profile-300x296.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wiley-Profile-768x756.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wiley-Profile-406x400.jpg 406w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wiley-Profile-500x493.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wiley-Profile-800x788.jpg 800w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wiley-Profile.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jamese Wiley is an aesthetic artist from Bloomington, Illinois, whose work is deeply influenced by both personal and spiritual exploration. After moving to Jackson, Mississippi, her faith became her freedom, and her art blossomed and deepened into what it is today. And it continually evolves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rooted in a Christian worldview, Jamese&#8217;s art seeks to capture the unseen- those emotions, ideas, and divine truths that transcend what the eye can see, and visually share with the world how her faith turned her entire life around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With a focus on color, composition, and texture, her abstract works invite viewers to engage with the mysteries of faith and the beauty of creation. With each piece a unique entity, there are myriad opportunities to express all that emerges in creativity. Is there room for Christianity in today&#8217;s artistic world? How much or how little is considered artistically valuable? Can faith be viewed abstractly and still understood? Jamese&#8217;s desire is to open the floor to such artistic contemplation as well as to curiosity about the faith through her visual psalms.<br><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;6a4263926acfd&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-9 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4263926ae9c&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4263926ae9c\" 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=\"40710\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Bird-Rowan-Final-512x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40710 lazyload\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/4\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" 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=\"40710\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Bird-Rowan-Final-512x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40710 lazyload\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/4\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Bird-Rowan-Final-512x1024.jpg 512w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Bird-Rowan-Final-150x300.jpg 150w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Bird-Rowan-Final-200x400.jpg 200w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Bird-Rowan-Final-500x1000.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Bird-Rowan-Final.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/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\">Rowan Bird<\/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<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Little Grand Canyon<\/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)\">Located near Foxworth, Red Bluff, often called the Little Grand Canyon of Mississippi, is a striking formation of red Yazoo clay carved by the Pearl River. Its vivid red cliffs, descending nearly 200 feet to the floodplain below, create a dramatic contrast against the lush green Mississippi landscape.<\/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)\">You can admire the sweeping view from above or hike down to a beautiful creek that winds through the canyon. This painting depicts the view from the top of the hiking trail. My goal was to capture the immense sense of scale and verticality of the scene. I completed an en plein air study during my visit, then used both my photographs and that study as references for the finished painting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Artist Bio<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rowan Bird is a multi-disciplinary artist in Jackson, MS. Rowan builds stained-glass windows for Pearl River Glass Studio by trade. The rest of his time, he spends in his painting studio, creating landscapes and figures in oil.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His latest works include a series of canyon paintings of the American West created in oils on canvas. Bird has received Gold and Silver Keys in scholastic awards at the Mississippi Museum of Art, 3 Purchase Awards from the University of North Georgia, and a Sponsorship and Residency with Level Creek Art Foundation.&nbsp;He enjoys painting en plein air, and he is also a courtroom artist.&nbsp;<br><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;6a4263926b5b2&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-10 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4263926b761&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4263926b761\" 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=\"40712\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Bird-Gavin-Final-702x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40712 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"702\" 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=\"40712\" src=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Bird-Gavin-Final-702x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40712 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Bird-Gavin-Final-702x1024.jpg 702w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Bird-Gavin-Final-206x300.jpg 206w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Bird-Gavin-Final-768x1120.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Bird-Gavin-Final-274x400.jpg 274w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Bird-Gavin-Final-500x729.jpg 500w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Bird-Gavin-Final-800x1166.jpg 800w, https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Bird-Gavin-Final.jpg 823w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 702px) 100vw, 702px\" \/><\/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\">Gavin Bird<\/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<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mississippi Modern Catfish<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This artwork celebrates the iconic Mississippi catfish. Found in small creeks, commercial catfish farms, and deep in the mighty Mississippi River, the catfish is both a culinary delicacy and a daily staple food in Mississippi. As a muralist and large-format painter, this painting brings Gavin Bird\u2019s larger-than-life graphic style to the canvas, celebrating the catfish in all its underwater glory.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Artist Bio<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gavin Bird is a mural artist based in Jackson, Mississippi. Visual art has been his passion his entire life, whether it\u2019s drawing, painting, or creating three-dimensional art. As of January 2021, Gavin\u2019s emphasis has been on mural art for both public and private spaces. His focus when painting murals in public spaces is to create a timeless piece of art that highlights the culture and history of the surrounding communities. Gavin has worked with individuals and organizations alike, sharing the vision of bringing beauty and revitalization to spaces within their communities. Although he enjoys painting a broad range of subjects, his favorite is nature surrealism. Gavin has painted roughly 40 murals in the past three years throughout the South and has painted one of the largest murals in the state of Mississippi, measuring 478 feet long by 10 feet tall.<br><a href=\"http:\/\/pacesettergallery.com\/\"><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mississippi Art Collection: Pike County Welcome Center &#8211; Magnolia The Pike County Welcome Center in Magnolia 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":42076,"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-40680","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>Pike County Welcome Center - Magnolia - 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=\"Pike County Welcome Center - Magnolia - Visit Mississippi\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Mississippi Art Collection: Pike County Welcome Center &#8211; 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Magnolia The Pike County Welcome Center in Magnolia 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]","og_url":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/pike-county-welcome-center-magnolia\/","og_site_name":"Visit Mississippi","article_modified_time":"2026-05-13T21:45:08+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1920,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Bird-Rowan-Hero.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"18 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/pike-county-welcome-center-magnolia\/","url":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/pike-county-welcome-center-magnolia\/","name":"Pike County Welcome Center - Magnolia - Visit Mississippi","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/pike-county-welcome-center-magnolia\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/pike-county-welcome-center-magnolia\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Bird-Rowan-Hero.jpg","datePublished":"2026-05-12T21:07:13+00:00","dateModified":"2026-05-13T21:45:08+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/pike-county-welcome-center-magnolia\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/pike-county-welcome-center-magnolia\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/pike-county-welcome-center-magnolia\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Bird-Rowan-Hero.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Bird-Rowan-Hero.jpg","width":1920,"height":1080},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/pike-county-welcome-center-magnolia\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Pike County Welcome Center &#8211; Magnolia"}]},{"@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 4:07 pm","modified":"Updated on May 13, 2026 4:45 pm"},"featured_img_caption":"","featured_img":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Bird-Rowan-Hero.jpg","series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/40680","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=40680"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/40680\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42076"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40680"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}