These 10 Places In Mississippi Are Paradise For Creative People
By Daniella DiRienzo|Published October 25, 2015
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Daniella DiRienzo
Author
Though Daniella was born in New York and has lived in a couple of other states, Mississippi has been her home for more than 30 years. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Daniella began to hone her writing skills through various internships. In the years since, she’s had the privilege of having her articles appear in several publications, such as the Mississippi-based Parents & Kids Magazine. She’s also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience.
Creativity and Mississippi go together like sweet tea and the front porch. The state is responsible for the Blues, the King, and William Faulkner, after all (and that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to incredibly talented Mississippians). The state’s distinct geographic regions and rich history have resulted in some amazing creations. So, whether you’re looking for creative inspiration or just want to immerse yourself in the world of the arts, these 10 places are worth checking out.
1. The Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi, Ridgeland
Since its inception in 1973, the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi has grown exponentially – so much so that it now takes up a 20,000 square foot building, which is filled with a retail gallery, museum, education center, art referral agency, community gathering place, and a visitor’s center.
Voted one of the top 50 children’s museums in the entire country, the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center educates children through interactive exhibits, unique classes, and art-related activities.
This creative melting pot of a city has so much going on that selecting one particular place was practically impossible! From its robust literary history to its thriving and diverse music scene to the small shops, museums, and galleries that fill the town, Oxford is a creative person’s dream come true.
The award-winning museum offers a wide range of exhibitions, educational programs, and a continuously growing permanent collection. And since the museum encourages the merging of artistic disciplines, such as visual art, literature, and music, through a variety of events, visitors can experience the arts in an entirely new way.
Designed by architect Frank Gehry and named after the self-proclaimed "Mad Potter of Biloxi," George Ohr, this museum has become synonymous with combining art, architecture, history, and landscape, even being acknowledged by TIME magazine as one of the top five architectural designs in the world.
Included in GardenandGun.com’s list of the most creative southern towns, Holly Springs has a lot to offer when it comes to the arts. In addition to numerous music-inspired events, such as weekly Blues concerts, the town is also home to the Ida B. Wells-Barnett Museum and Cultural Center of African American History, which offers exhibits, membership lectures, multi-cultural, family, and community programs, and dramatic theater.
Visitors to this historic small town can enjoy classic southern architecture, a vibrant downtown, and the annual Decorative Arts and Preservation Forum and Antiques Show and Sale. The yearly event brings together historians, authors, floral designers, educators, and antique dealers for three days of programs that celebrate "the arts, culture, and rich heritage of Columbus."
Sponsored by Olive Branch Arts Council, Arts in the Alley is held in the city’s Old Towne area. Free to attend, the outdoor art gallery is open year-round.
9. Mississippi International Film Festival, Jackson
For the past six years, the Mississippi International Film Festival has brought together both international and domestic Indie films and filmmakers. The annual event not only brings the art of film to Mississippi but has also attracts a number of special guests, which, over the years, have included Lance Bass, Danny Glover, James Meredith, The Freedom Riders, Captain Clegg, and the Night Creatures.
Located in downtown Tupelo, the Caron Gallery’s showroom is filled with incredible works of art - which are all the products of talented Mississippi natives. In addition to artwork in a variety of mediums, the gallery also offers services such as a bridal registry, custom framing, and in-home art consulting.
So, do you feel inspired? Visited any of the places listed? What are some other places in Mississippi perfect for all those creative people out there? Tell us in the comments section below.
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