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2 PLACE WHAT’S NEW AT THE MAX, YOU ASK? A LOT. For starters, we have two new art interactives— wood carving and block printmaking. Plus, there’s a new puppet theater that has captivated the young and young at heart (me included). Filled with imagery related to puppeteers Jim Henson and Peter Zapletal and props from beloved characters, the theater will transport you back to your childhood and highlight Mississippi’s profound impact on multiple generations. On Saturday, August 23, we are excited to open the much-anticipated exhibition Cecelia Moseley: Remnants of Language. Cecelia’s story exemplifies the transformative power of the arts, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to showcase her new, never-before-seen work and celebrate her remarkable journey. Please join us for a very special opening day talk and guided tour by Cecelia at 3 pm, followed by a reception from 4 to 6 pm with live music by Rodrick Fox and Friends. You will also have the opportunity to purchase an original piece from Cecelia at The MAX Store. Throughout the fall, we have scheduled workshops and demonstrations featuring Cecelia, as well as other sculptors and other types of artists. Starting in September, we will screen short films by recent Hall of Fame inductee Bill Ferris upstairs in The Alexander Family Church Gallery. Speaking of the Church, it has recently undergone an acoustical overhaul, and new church pew cushions are on the way. The MAX is a dynamic space filled with new experiences. Come visit us and spread the word—no one leaves disappointed! See you soon, Penny Kemp President + CEO The MAX
3 2025 FALL/WINTER NEW INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES During construction of the Mississippi John Hurt and Jerry Richardson Educational Center, The MAX has partnered with the Mississippi John Hurt Foundation to display the few artifacts left, including the bluesman’s iconic hat, after fire engulfed his former home. To support, visit msjohnhurtfoundation.org. Step into creativity at The MAX with brand new interactive experiences that celebrate Mississippi’s rich artistic legacy. Try your hand at block printing using digital tools inspired by artists like Sean Starwars and Mildred Nungester Wolfe. Choose your favorite wood type and digitally carve your own design, guided by the work of Mississippi woodcarvers George Berry Sr. and Larry Armstrong. Then head to our new puppet theater, where you can create your own puppet show while learning about Mississippi legends like Jim Henson and Peter Zapletal. It is hands-on fun for all ages only at The MAX. FALL 2025
4 PLACE THE MAX STAFF Penny Kemp, President + CEO Benjamen Douglas, Director of Programs + Strategic Initiatives Heather LaCoste, Education Director Aaron Windham, Director of Operations Amy Beasley, Bookkeeper Rose Cole, Housekeeping Supervisor Brittany Davis, Event Rental Coordinator Courtney Keith, Retail + Guest Services Assistant Manager Jessica Lauderdale, Guest Services Manager Ted Reynolds, Facilities Manager Jeremy Sollie, Marketing Manager Elizabeth Williams, Sipp & Savor Festival Producer Stanley Wright, Group Coordinator + Assistant Manager 2155 Front Street Meridian, MS 39301 601.581.1550 msarts.org CONTRIBUTORS Writers Benjamen Douglas Penny Kemp Steve Millburg Photographers J’Marcus Alfred Catherine Crawford Mark Davis Cecelia Moseley Kevin Sibley Jeremy Sollie Marianne Todd PLACE is published biannually by Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience. Every effort is made to avoid errors and omissions. If, however, an error comes to your attention, please accept our apologies and notify us at info@msarts.org. This email contact also can be used to request address changes or additional copies. Board of Directors Dianne Walton, Chair, Meridian Marian Barksdale, Vice Chair, Oxford Barbara Thomas, Secretary, Meridian Michael Truelove, Treasurer, Meridian Eddie Kelly, Past Chair, Bay St. Louis Landry Adkins, Meridian Archie Anderson, Starkville Kim Caron, Tupelo Sheryl Davidson, Meridian Veldore Young Graham, Meridian Checky Herrington, Starkville Dustin Markham, Meridian Annie McMillan, Hattiesburg Lisa Rice, Madison Kerry Scott, Meridian Millie Swan, Hattiesburg Fred Wile, Meridian Duffee Williams, Meridian Laura Carmichael, Visit Meridian (ex officio) Craig Hitt, City of Meridian (ex officio)
5 2025 FALL/WINTER SIPP & SAVOR GRACEFUL LIKE STEEL Cecelia Moseley explores learning challenges and barriers to understanding in The MAX’s next exhibition. 6 10 of contents table JIMMIE RODGERS MUSIC FESTIVAL 12 MERIDIAN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS 14 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT + CEO Penny Kemp 2 EVENTS 17 FAREWELL TO THANK YOU PLEASE COME AGAIN: HOW GAS STATIONS FEED & FUEL THE AMERICAN SOUTH 15 MEMBER RECOGNITION 19
6 PLACE GRACEFUL LIKE STEEL You never know who is under coveralls or a welder’s helmet. And that’s just the first surprise in The MAX’s next exhibition, Cecelia Moseley: Remnants of Language, which features massive, brightly colored steel sculptures August 23 through January 3, 2026. “Growing up, dyslexia made it really difficult to learn letters, words, and how to put sentences together,” says Moseley, a 27-year-old Meridian native. “Pronunciation, understanding what I read, and especially comprehension were daily challenges. “One specific example: I constantly mixed up the letters b and d—not just in writing, but in how I pronounced them too.”
7 2025 FALL/WINTER Remnants of Language grew out of those lifelong challenges. It explores barriers to communication and understanding and asks what we’re losing as technology makes handwriting obsolete. What happens when the physical world becomes digital? What gets lost in translation? “There’s a deep physicality that often goes unnoticed, especially in something as simple as handwriting,” Moseley says. “The way words are written—the speed, the pressure, the style—can reveal so much. Large, bubbly letters say something different than quick, slanted chicken scratch.” That theme runs through the exhibition. “That’s partly why I’m drawn to sculpture, especially using heavy, industrial materials,” Moseley says. “It’s not just about shaping something visually. There’s an effort, weight, and resistance involved. “I chose this medium because it mirrors how communication feels for me: It takes energy, it’s layered, and sometimes it’s a struggle. But through that struggle, something permanent and meaningful is created.” Huge, surprisingly graceful curves of steel, shaped and welded by the artist, dominate the exhibit, which will spill out from the Fred & Sissie Wile Changing Exhibitions Gallery and into the Hall of Fame. A closer look will reveal letters—overlapping and difficult to make sense of. “This work is personal,” Moseley says. “It’s about my experience with dyslexia past and present, but there’s also a kind of quietness in how I share it. I want to talk about the struggles, but I’m not shouting them. I’m inviting people in. “That’s why the pieces are so bright and colorful. They draw you in, but once you’re looking, there’s more beneath the surface. There are messages—things I’ve thought, felt, or written down—but they’re intentionally hard to read. That’s the point. The viewer has to work a little, just like I’ve had to work to learn.” Dozens of screenprints highlight an outmoded handwriting style. Once taught in schools and used daily by secretaries and journalists, Gregg shorthand is now illegible to most people—like cursive for today’s younger generations.
8 PLACE More than 150 pieces of acrylic in different shapes and colors will evoke the doodles Moseley made in school as she struggled to focus during class, and the colored filters that help her read. “I believe people with dyslexia will connect with the acrylic installation in perhaps a deeper way,” Moseley says. “For those who have it, I hope the exhibit offers a sense of being seen and understood.” Moseley attended Poplar Springs Elementary and Lamar School in Meridian. Defying expectations, she earned a bachelor’s from the University of Mississippi and a master’s from Louisiana State University, both in sculpture—and is among the 12% of U.S. welders who are women. Invite your friends for opening day, Saturday, August 23. Learn more about the exhibition from the artist during a guided tour at 3 pm. Meet the artist and mingle with friends during the reception featuring live jazz by Rodrick Fox and Friends from 4-6 pm. Check out other related events and programs at msarts.org/events. This exhibition and related programming are made possible by The Phil Hardin Foundation and The Riley Foundation with additional support from Meridian Specialty Travel (Lamar and Laura Gidden), Michelle Merson, Southeast Ace Hardware, The X, and Wells Fargo Advisors.
9 2025 FALL/WINTER BRING YOUR GROUP TO THE MAX Our team works with you to create the perfect group experience, including: FIELD TRIPS Tailored experiences from interactive classroom activities to curriculum-based adventures make your student group trip even more impactful. For more information, contact Education Director Heather LaCoste: heather@msarts.org | 601.581.1550 ext. 35. GROUP TOURS Allow us to customize your experience with a themed scavenger hunt or other Mississippi arts activity, based upon your needs. Discounts offered for 10+. Contact Group Coordinator Stanley Wright for more information: stanley@msarts.org | 601.581.1550 ext. 14. EVENT RENTALS Whether it’s for your civic group, garden club, school, church, or family reunion, The MAX is the place to gather. Event Rental Coordinator Brittany Davis can be reached at brittany@msarts.org | 601.581.1550 ext. 26. Just tell your friends to #MeetMeAtTheMAX
10 PLACE Nearly 3,000 people from 17 states enjoyed small bites, cold beers, fine wines, and craft cocktails at the annual Sipp & Savor fundraiser, April 12, 2025. Seventy culinary students joined more than 30 award-winning chefs representing 44 restaurants from across the Southeast. Mark your calendars for April 11, 2026—we’ll see you there!
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12 PLACE Country, blues, R&B, rock, bluegrass, and gospel brought crowds to The MAX for the 72nd Jimmie Rodgers Music Festival, May 12-18, 2025. The MAX also presented Vasti Jackson’s educational performance The Soul of Jimmie Rodgers: One Man. One Voice. One Guitar. and a concert by legendary bluesman Jimmy “Duck” Holmes in conjunction with the screening of the documentary film A Man Called Hurt.
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14 PLACE As part of our commitment to education, The MAX hosted the MPSD Festival of the Arts on April 24, 2025, showcasing the talents of more than 500 students for their families, friends, and the public to enjoy. Approximately 2,000 people filled every corner of The MAX experiencing 35 choral, band, dance, and spoken word performances, plus 400 pieces of art on display.
15 2025 FALL/WINTER The MAX said farewell to Thank You Please Come Again: How Gas Stations Feed & Fuel the American South. While at The MAX, the photographs by Kate Medley drew thousands of visitors, provoking questions and providing connections. During her artist residency in Meridian, Medley made new images and worked with 500 students from Lauderdale County School District, Meridian Community College, Meridian Public School District, and Newton Municipal School District. Next, the exhibit goes to the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi and then to the Center for the Study of the American South at the University of North Carolina.
16 PLACE BLACK FOLKLORE: FROM THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA TO YALE UNIVERSITY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 10 am Join us at The MAX for an unforgettable morning with Hall of Fame inductee William “Bill” Ferris — folklorist, documentarian, and internationally acclaimed scholar. Watch four powerful short documentaries filmed during Ferris’s time teaching African American Studies at Yale University, spotlighting the enduring oral traditions of Mississippi’s Black communities through blues, gospel, and folk art. Featuring raw, riveting stories from bluesman B.B. King, preachers, inmates, quilt makers, and gospel singers, The Early Films of William Ferris offers a rare glimpse into Black folklife, the foundation of American culture. Stay after the screening for a conversation with Ferris and a chance to purchase his acclaimed photography books. Experience the stories. Meet the legend. Only at The MAX. THE MAX PRESENTS The MAX will be playing The Early Films of William Ferris 1968-1975 on loop in The Alexander Family Church Gallery in conjunction with Ferris’s Hall of Fame induction, B.B. King’s 100th birthday (September 16), and the National Folk Festival in Jackson (November 7-9)
17 2025 FALL/WINTER EVENTS AUG. 23 Opening Day Cecelia Moseley: Remnants of Language 3 pm: Artist talk + guided tour 4 pm-6 pm: Reception + live music by Rodrick Fox and Friends AUG. 30 The Nuts and Bolts of Metal Sculpture with Kyle DeLong 9 am-11:30 am In this hands-on workshop, Mississippi artist Kyle DeLong will teach the basics of welding metal. Using a MIG welder and everyday objects, participants will complete a simple sculpture. Sponsored by Southeast Ace Hardware. SEPT. 6 Earth’s Bounty at The MAX 8 am-noon, farmers market 9 am-5 pm, free admission 11 am-1 pm, art activities upstairs Come early for Earth’s Bounty and stay to enjoy live music, art activities and exhibits. SEPT. 9 Sam Clark Sculpture Demo 5 pm-7 pm Come to The MAX for NightMarket and check out Mississippi sculptor Sam Clark. His ceramic sculpture evokes childlike wonder, as does Cecelia Moseley’s work. SEPT. 9 NightMarket Extended hours: 5 pm-8 pm Free admission Great food and drink, artists, artisans, farm vendors, food trucks, children’s activities, live music, and more. SEPT. 17, 24 + OCT. 1, 8 Stained Glass Class 1 pm-4 pm Discover the artistry of stained glass with artist Bj Hatten. Join us for a four-week class for beginners and intermediates. SEPT. 20 + 27 Sculpting Ceramics with Sam Clark 9 am-11 am Like Cecelia Moseley, Sam Clark is serious about whimsy. During this twosession class, participants will learn the basics of turning figments of their imagination into three-dimensional clay figures. SEPT. 27 Lean on Me Jubilee 10 am-4 pm, free admission Join us for the second annual Lean on Me Jubilee suicide awareness and prevention event. Learn about community mental health resources while enjoying food and art vendors, live entertainment, and activities for kids of all ages.
18 PLACE OCT. 4 Earth’s Bounty at The MAX 8 am-noon, farmers market 9 am-5 pm, free admission 11 am-1 pm, art activities upstairs Come early for Earth’s Bounty and stay to enjoy live music, art activities and exhibits. OCT. 9 Art Crawl through Downtown Meridian 5 pm-8 pm Explore downtown Meridian’s art scene during the Art Gallery Crawl, with one of the stops being The MAX. Pick up a crawl card at the Meridian Museum of Art. OCT. 11 Sculpting with “Da Cake Goat” 11 am-1 pm Seen on Netflix’s Is it Cake, Too? and Food Network’s Halloween Wars, Mississippi’s own Corterrius Allen can seemingly make a cake look like anything. Come by The MAX for a demonstration by Da Cake Goat himself, learn more about how he sculpts these creative cakes, and—if you time it right—get to see if the taste lives up to the hype! OO CC TT . . 21 51 OCT. 25 Black Folklore: From the Mississippi Delta to Yale University 10 am Experience the powerful early films of Hall of Fame inductee William “Bill” Ferris, showcasing Mississippi’s Black oral traditions through blues, gospel, and folk art. Stay after the screening for a conversation with Ferris and a chance to purchase his photography books. NOV. 1 Mississippi Public Art Convening Creatives are invited to The MAX for a day all about public art. Learn about a mural opportunity at The MAX, find out about funding opportunities statewide, and meet other artists. NOV. 1 Earth’s Bounty at The MAX 8 am-noon, farmers market 9 am-5 pm, free admission 11 am-1 pm, art activities upstairs Come early for Earth’s Bounty and stay to enjoy live music, art activities and exhibits. NOV. 20 Merry NightMarket Extended hours: 5 pm-8 pm Free admission The MAX is open late for Earth’s Bounty Merry NightMarket. Kick off your holiday shopping. NOV. 22 Cecelia Moseley Welding Demonstration at The MAX 11 am-1 pm Last chance to meet the artist! Come to The MAX for a live welding demonstration by Cecelia Moseley. After touring Remnants of Language, head to the courtyard for some sparks! We’re constantly adding new events. For the latest info and to register, visit msarts.org/events.
19 2025 FALL/WINTER MEMBER RECOGNITION Sandra and William Arlinghaus Marian and Claiborne Barksdale Lallie and Wesley Bennett Marsha and Eldean Boyken Rainey and John Breaux Jr. Shawn and David Brevard Lou and Clayton Cobler Susan and Robert Coffin III Kerry and Jeffrey Cook Crow’s Nest Properties Holley and Michael Davis Ouida and Wayne Drinkwater Rebecca Combs-Dulaney and Tommy Dulaney Mary Clare and Daniel Evans Shannon Crowe and Courtland Gray Sally and Lloyd Gray Judy and Bill Hammack Chellie and Checky Herrington Dianne and Larry Johnson Lucy and Maurice Kahlmus Robert Kennedy Dixie and Ken LaBruyere Lou Ann and Alan Lamar Frances and Sam Long Angela and David Majure Shelley and Evan McDonald Karen and Lee Meyer Margaret and Stacy Nicholson Rhonda and Edward Poole B.J. and David Ray Elizabeth Rice Nancy and Harry Robinson Mary and Don Rogers Carolyn Smith Kathy and Kyle Temple Elizabeth Frohse and Thomas Tischer Kristi and John Voss Peg Wahrendorff Cindy and Coleman Warner Sue and George Warner Alatha and Duffee Williams Stu Yarbrough Corliss Atterberry Monica and Hardy Graham Julie and Bruce Martin Lawrence Primeaux Atlas Roofing Corporation Sheryl and Jay Davidson Duff Capital Investors Leading Edges of Mississippi Magnolia Beverage Company Mississippi Power Melanie and Manny Mitchell Gina and Randy Sharman Helen Abraham Ann and Jimmy Alexander Melanie and Ric Alexander Linda and Tim Allred BankPlus Christine and Bill Barham Sharon and Bob Barham Castle Jamie and Bob Cater Anne and Duncan Chalk Beth Clay Katie and Douglas Coleman Donna and Greg Creel Linda and Marty Davidson Lindy Deen Thomas Dobbins Suzanne Douglass-Jones Natalie Alexa Dreifuss EMBDC Freddie’s Fine Spirits Cathy and Maurice Hall Rose and Scott Hudson Judy and Condon Hughes Insurance Advisory Group Kemp Associates, LLC Gina and Buddy Laughlin Lisa and Larry Love Kathy and Bob Luke Jean and David Makey Vicky McDonnell Dana and Phillip McLain Kelly and Scott McQuaig Meridian Airport Authority Helen and Wade Sims Thomas Singley Stifel Nicolaus Elyse and Jim Thompson Helen and Lee Valentine Visit Meridian Waters International Trucks, Inc. Anna and Daniel Wile Sissie and Fred Wile Terry Winstead Karie and Brad Woodall CORPORATE CIRCLE BENEFACTOR CIRCLE GRAND PATRON PERFORMER CIRCLE as of June 25, 2025
2155 Front Street Meridian, MS 39301 Join us for OPENING DAY Saturday, August 23 3 pm: Artist talk + guided tour 4 pm–6 pm: Reception + live music by Rodrick Fox and Friends Be the first to experience this exhibition featuring new work by Mississippi native Cecelia Moseley. Meet the artist, view and purchase original pieces of art, and enjoy light bites while Rodrick Fox and Friends play cool tunes. For the most recent program details: msarts.org/cm
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