Alice Ballard’s Finding Solace presents an organic landscape of ceramic sculpture inspired by seeds, pods, and other natural forms.

Known for her meditative approach and deep reverence for nature’s cycles of growth and renewal, Ballard’s work explores the interconnectedness between humanity and the natural world.

This exhibition celebrates a lifetime devoted to observing life’s quiet metamorphoses and translating them into sculptural poetry in clay.

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There is a continuum where beauty and function blend and diverge in the hands of the contemporary artist.

Even when traditional materials such as thread, fabric, wood, reed, and paper are used, these artists combine skill, imagination, and vision to meld their materials into compelling and beautiful art which resonates in today’s world.

Artists were invited to participate in this conversation between media to illustrate the continuum between beauty and functionality.

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Nestled beneath live oaks in Laurel, Mississippi, the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art is a cultural gem housed in a striking Georgian Revival building. Established in 1923 as Mississippi’s first art museum, it honors the legacy of Lauren Eastman Rogers, whose family transformed personal loss into public enrichment.

The museum’s five specialized collections span American and European paintings, Native American baskets, Japanese Ukiyo-e prints, and British Georgian silver. Beyond its permanent holdings, LRMA hosts rotating exhibitions, studio classes, concerts, and lectures, fostering creativity and community engagement.

Free to the public since its founding, the museum remains a beacon of inspiration and education. Its blend of architectural elegance, curatorial depth, and civic spirit makes it a cornerstone of Southern cultural heritage.

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The Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art (OOMA) in Biloxi, Mississippi, celebrates the innovative spirit of George E. Ohr, the “Mad Potter of Biloxi,” and the cultural richness of the Gulf Coast. Designed by architect Frank Gehry, the museum’s striking campus of pods and pavilions offers a unique setting for exhibitions of contemporary and historical art. OOMA’s permanent collection highlights Ohr’s groundbreaking ceramics, while rotating exhibitions showcase diverse regional, national, and international artists. Through exhibitions, programs, and educational initiatives, the museum fosters creativity, dialogue, and a deeper appreciation for the arts and culture of the South.

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The Mississippi State University Department of Art offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the department offers three concentrations:  fine arts (including emphasis areas in ceramics, drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture), graphic design, and photography.

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