Staff Residencies
Staff Creative residencies promote staff member creative work on the Oxford campus of the University of Mississippi with one-week opportunities to pursue individual creative projects. This initiative recognizes that UM staff do creative work outside their formal positions, from photography to woodworking, from writing to video game design to music composition. Staff Creative residencies support projects, from painting and sculpture inspired by regional landscapes, to quilting and other fiber arts inspired by family elders.
Staff Creative residencies recognize that UM staff members have the potential to create, share, interpret, and apply transformative knowledge. The creative work that emerges from these residencies will drive progress and creative economy growth in our state.
-
Somatic Dance (Summer 2024)
Rebekah Allen
Rebekah Allen, Counselor in Student Affairs in the University Counseling Center, used dance techniques to develop creative movements that enhances mental wellbeing.
-
Explored New Uses for Vintage Items (Summer 2024)
Trent Bloodworth
Trent Bloodworth, Network Analyst II in Telecommunications, explored new uses for vintage items by repurposing a 1960s refrigerator into a cocktail cabinet.
-
The Totally Amazing Assassination Adventures of Jack and Jackie
Laura Cavett
Laura Cavett, Project Coordinator in Biology, created a series of paintings combining an absurd narrative with iconic images in cartoon format.
-
Glassblowing (Summer 2024)
Andrea Drummond
Andrea Drummond, Communications Project Coordinator in the Department of Music, learned to work in the medium of glassblowing.
-
Amplify (Summer 2024)
Amy Evans
Amy Evans, Graphic Web Designer in Marketing and Communications, created a series of large oil on canvas paintings.
-
Wild to Mild – a Mustang Horse Story
Tess Graham
Tess Graham, Library Specialist I at the J.D. Williams Library, developed an equine therapy program with Monkey, the horse.
-
Remembering My Grandmother: Rev. Maggie T. Mosley
Cassandra Hawkins
Dr. Cassandra Hawkins, Associate Director of Data and Quality Management at the Institute of Child Nutrition, pursued a film photography project that invoked a sense of family and introspection about the past and the present.
-
Squared Preserves - Preserving our History through Preserves
Merrill Magruder
Merrill Magruder, Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Family Engagement in the Office of the Chancellor, researched and applied traditional canning techniques.
-
Needlepoint - from Start to FINISH (but never again)
Cayce Read
Cayce Read, Financial Aid Advisor in the Office of Financial Aid, learned the process of finishing a stitched needlework canvas into a final product.
-
Canning Love – Generations Later
Dakota Robertson
Dakota Robertson, Academic Advisor at FASTrack Learning Community, learned the art of canning fresh produce as an act of homesteading.
-
Mycelium Leather
Michael Andrew (Andy) Smith
Michael Andrew (Andy) Smith, Systems Analyst III in Student Housing, learned how to grow and use mushrooms to make vegan leather.
-
Seeking Legacy through Sam's Drive-In
William Teer
William Teer, Program Director for Student Leadership Programs and Financial Well-Being in the Center for Community Engagement, researched and wrote the story of the late West Sanford “Sam” Forsythe, owner of Sam’s Drive-In in Ripley, TN.
-
Develop New Sculpture Skills (Summer 2023)
Melanie Antonelli
Melanie Antonelli is the Curator of Exhibitions and Collections at the University Museum and Historic Houses.
-
Traveled Abroad and Played Jazz as part of an Ensemble (Summer 2023)
Elijah Bratsch-Prince
Elijah Bratsch-Prince is the Senior Study Abroad Advisor of the Office of Global Engagement.
-
Experimented with Watercolor Painting (Summer 2023)
Erin Cromeans
Erin Cromeans is the Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives and Outreach at the Institute of Child Nutrition.
-
Developed a Module for a Robot to Play a Trumpet
Michael Crow
Michael Crow is the Systems Administrator for the Mississippi Center for Supercomputing Research.
-
Fillet Brazed a Bicycle Frame (Summer 2023)
Nicholas Dodd
Nicholas Dodd is a Mechanic with Landscape Services.
-
Learning Foraging and Preservation Practices (Summer 2023)
Amanda Klenke
Amanda Klenke is the R & D Botanist for the National Center for Natural Product Research. At the time of the Staff Creative Residency, Klenke was a Senior Groundskeeper for Landscape Services.
-
Developing Cake Decorating Skills (Summer 2023)
Debbie Maddigan
Debbie Maddigan is a Senior Accountant with the Office of Financial Aid.
-
Developing Yarn Painting Skills (Summer 2023)
Hannah Moseley
Hannah Moseley is the Operations Coordinator for Telecommunications Services.
-
Quilting in the Gee's Bend Style (Summer 2023)
Erin Parker
Erin Parker is a Community Coordinator with Student Housing.
-
Carving Hiking Sticks (Summer 2023)
Patrick Perry
Patrick L. Perry is the Learning Specialist for the Center for Student Success and First Year Experience.
-
Crocheting Afghans and Baskets (Summer 2023)
Stephanie Roland
Stephanie Roland is an Accounting Assistant in the Office of Financial Aid.
-
Making Sculptures with Found Objects (Summer 2023)
Meaghan Sullivan
Meaghan Sullivan is the Assistant Director of Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct in Student Housing.
-
Researching and Blending Herbal Teas (Summer 2023)
Castel Sweet
Castel Sweet is the Director of the Center for Community Engagement.
-
Amplifying Lewis Nordan Manuscript (Summer 2023)
Jimmy Thomas
Jimmy Thomas is the Associate Director for Publication in the Center for the Study of Southern Culture.
-
Developed Belly Dancing Classes for Pre- and Postpartum Women (Summer 2022)
Rachel Coleman
Rachel Coleman is an Academic Counselor and the Records Coordinator in the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. She has been on staff at the University of Mississippi since January 21, 2014.
-
Photo portraits of LGBTQ Mississippians (Summer 2022)
Kevin Cozart
Kevin Cozart is the Operations Coordinator in the Sarah Isom Center for Women and Gender Studies. He has been on staff at the University of Mississippi since January 5, 2005.
Photo of Kevin Cozart by Bruce Newman.
-
Deconstruct and Reconstruct Vintage Hats to Question Womanhood and Gender (Summer 2022)
Nikki Neely Davis
Nikki Neely Davis is the Executive Director of Development in University Development. She has been on staff at the University of Mississippi since December 12, 2011.
-
Expanded Skills for Paper Crafting (Summer 2022)
Caelyn Ditz
Caelyn Ditz is a counselor in the University Counseling Center. She has been on staff at the University of Mississippi since November 6, 2017.
-
Advancing Quilting Skills with a mentor, Coulter Fussell (Summer 2022)
Sydney DuPriest
Sydney DuPriest is the Associate Director of Campus Communication and Engagement in University Marketing and Communications. She has been on staff at the University of Mississippi since June 1, 2016.
-
Develop New Art, incorporating augmented reality and animation skills (Summer 2022)
Frank Estrada
Frank Estrada is the Visual Resources Specialist and Gallery Coordinator in the Department of Art and Art History. He has been on staff at the University of Mississippi since August 6, 2018.
Photo of Frank Estrada by Bruce Newman.
-
Explored Sculptural Processes in Clay (Summer 2022)
Kate Forster
Kate Forster is the Director of Advocacy in UMatter Student Support and Advocacy. She has been on staff at the University of Mississippi since June 1, 2016.
-
Writing a Book about Mississippi poet Hubert Creekmore (Summer 2022)
Mary Knight
Mary Knight is a Communications Specialist in University Development. She has been on staff at the University of Mississippi since April 8, 2005. She is writing a book that will be part biography on Water Valley native and Cold War poet Hubert Creekmore; part autobiography, as it will include aspects of her search to find out more about the closeted Mississippi writer; and part pictorial essay on the places of importance to both Creekmore and Knight.
-
Make a Coloring Book of Hairstyles and Headdresses (Summer 2022)
Kirstie Manning
Kirstie Manning is a Human Resources Assistant in the Department of Human Resources. She has been on staff at the University of Mississippi since October 6, 2014.
Photo of Kirstie Manning by Bruce Newman
-
Intertwine Oil Painting and Fiction Writing (Summer 2022)
Anna McKnight
Anna McKnight is the supervisor of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. She has been on staff at the University of Mississippi since April 17, 2017.
Photo of Anna McKnight by Bruce Newman.
-
Create New Recipes (Summer 2022)
Sara Camp Milam
Sara Camp Milam is the managing editor of the Southern Foodways Alliance. She has been on staff at the University of Mississippi since May 15, 2012.
Photo of Sara Camp Milam by Danny Klimetz.
-
Developed a Book of Watercolors for Children (Summer 2022)
Anna Pringle
Anne Pringle is the operations coordinator in the Department of Chemical Engineering. She has been on staff at the University of Mississippi since May 9, 2011.
-
Develop Sign Painting Skills with a mentor Bill Warren (Summer 2022)
Cole Russell
Cole Russell is the Manager of Printing Services in Printing and Graphic Design Services. He has been on staff at the University of Mississippi since December 1, 2011.
-
Expand her Beekeeping and Craft-Making Repertoire (Summer 2022)
Rachel Scott
Rachel Scott is an Evaluation Associate in the Center for Research Evaluation. She has been on staff at the University of Mississippi since June 1, 2021.
-
Develop a Book About Food Allergy Superpowers (Summer 2022)
Casey Cockrell Stuart
Casey Cockrell Stuart is the Assistant Director of Employer Services in the Career Center. She has been on staff at the University of Mississippi since July 11, 2007.