Legends

Can you name them all?

Elvis Presley, Morgan Freeman, Sela Ward, Faith Hill, Jim Henson, B. B. King, Oprah Winfrey, James Earl Jones, John Grisham, Walter Anderson, Eudora Welty, Jimmy Buffett — just to name a few. When it comes to arts and entertainment, one thing’s for sure: Mississippi gives rise to more than our share of legends. The MAX is the first museum in the world to honor them all in one place. Come see who they are, find out what inspired them, and spark the legend with you.

Criteria

We’re glad you asked. To be considered as a Mississippi Legend, artists must have a strong connection to the state of Mississippi — either by birth, moving to the state at a young age, or calling Mississippi home for a significant portion of their career. The MAX reviews all suggested artists before adding them to our list of Legends. If you know someone who may qualify, send their name our way.

Meet Our Legends

Writing Legends

Writing

From the Appalachian foothills to the coastal sands have come literary giants like John Grisham, Margaret Walker Alexander and William Faulkner — just to name a few.

Music

Music

Elvis Presley, the King of Rock N’ Roll; B.B. King, the King of the Blues; Opera Diva Leontyne Price; and Jimmie Rodgers, the Father of Country Music. These are just a few names you might know.

Performing Arts

Performing Arts

Mississippians shine on stage, on screen and behind-the-scenes. There’s Morgan Freeman, Oprah Winfrey, James Earl Jones and Kermit the Frog, not to mention the founders of MTV and BET.

Visual Arts

Visual Arts

Painters, potters, sculptors and printmakers have left their mark on Mississippi. The list includes George Ohr, William Eggleston, Richmond Barthe, Walter Anderson and William Dunlap.

Cultural

Cultural Arts

From carvings and quilts to boats, banjos, and barbecue  — cultural artists like Hystercine Rankin, M.B. Green, Bill Holland and Leatha Jackson have woven their craft into the fabric of our state.

Artist Spotlight

Artist Spotlight

Meet Today’s Mississippians in Arts & Entertainment.

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