Mississippi Creates: Visual Art is a collaborative project between the Center for the Study of Southern Culture, Department of Theatre and Film at the University of Mississippi, and Yoknapatawpha Arts Council. This series was launched in 2021 by Professor John Rash as part of his curriculum for MFA students, who were each asked to produce a short documentary film highlighting local musicians who have been influenced or inspired by the life, culture, and sounds of Mississippi. In the spring of 2024, the project expanded to pair groups of students with local visual artists to document the craft and inspiration of their creative process.
-
Hayden Hall: Art of Becoming
Nelson Crawford, Aubrey Goodwin, Tara Watts, and Hayden Hall
A Film By: Nelson Crawford, Aubrey Goodwin, and Tara Watts
Hayden Hall is an artist in Mississippi, specializing in landscapes of the Delta. This film dives into what led him to give up his successful career as a chef and restaurateur to pursue his passion for painting back in his home state of Mississippi. He explores how he made the transition and the influence that the Delta has on him.
-
Bill Beckwith: Shaped by Clay
William Harbison, Samson Oklobia, Olivia Whittington, and Bill Beckwith
A Film By: William Harbison, Samson Oklobia, and Olivia Whittington
Mississippi sculptor Bill Beckwith reflects on techniques he gained from his late mentor Leon Koury. This film explores how living and working as an artist in Mississippi bears a unique meaning, and how community and mentorship foster the growth of each new generation.
-
Andi Sherrill Bedsworth
Mimi Bishop, Ellie Kish, Athula Samarakoon, and Andi Sherrill Bedsworth
Film about Mississippi-based artist and teacher Andi Sherill Bedsworth.
Directed by: Mimi Biship, Ellie Kish, Athula Samarakoon
Producer: Mimi Bishop
Editor: Ellie Kish
Cinematographer: Athula Samarakoon -
Greta Koshenina: Sole Ciana
Emma Finlay, Max Griffith, and Greta Koshenina
A Film By: Emma Finlay and Max Griffith
-
Jason Bouldin: Corporeal Nature
Tanner Goodeill, Madeleine Perkins, and Jason Bouldin
A Film By: Tanner Goodeill and Madeleine Perkins
-
Susan Mah
Sela Ricketts, Chase Taylor, Peter Muvunyi, and Grace Mah
In the American South, psychotherapist and fine art photographer Susan Mah channels emotions into transformative art. This documentary explores Mah’s journey, blending phototherapy with societal critique, as she navigates loss, identity, and activism. Mah’s work transcends boundaries, offering a poignant glimpse into the intersection of life and art.
Directed by: Sela Ricketts, Chase Taylor, Peter Muvunyi
-
Jere Allen
Ashish Shrestha, Abby Stewart, Leah Sumner, and Jere Allen
Film by: Ashish Shrestha, Abby Stewart, Leah Sumner
Jere Allen spends the majority of his time doing what he loves most, his hobby and passion: painting. Jere lives with his wife, Joe; their bond and a beautiful family are the muse to his long career as a painter in Oxford, MS.