Taylor Bembery
Associate Editor
The Jackson State University Department of Art presents their annual Art Faculty Show and it is definitely a sight to see.
The show opened on Oct.2 and will end Dec.31 at the Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center in downtown Jackson, Miss.
This exhibit serves as an outlet for faculty to showcase their artistic talents. All of the faculty artwork is displayed in the David Taylor Gallery in the museum. In the gallery, there are various art mediums such as graphic design, oil paintings, ceramics, sculpture, photography and much more.
The art featured was submitted by JSU faculty members, Charles Carraway, Chung-Fan Chang, Mark Geil, Hyun Chon Kim, Chalmers Mayers, Jimmy Mumford, Yumi Park, Kenyatta Stewart, and Dorothy Whitley.
Charles Carraway, Chair of the Department of Art, said the showcase gives students an idea of what their professors are doing. Carraway has submitted numerous oil paintings in the showcase. He describes some of his paintings as “empty rooms”.
“This is a tradition going back to the beginning of the Art Department. It is typical of all art departments each year to have an exhibition of faculty art. It’s just a normal thing. This is an opportunity to see what the faculty is doing as far as practicing and perfecting being a professional artist,” said Carraway.
The Smith Robertson Museum was selected as the venue for the exhibition because of its rich history. Erected in 1894, the location was the first public school for Negro boys and girls in the state of Mississippi. The school was named in honor of Smith Robertson, a former slave and the first African-American Alderman for the city of Jackson, who died in 1899. The museum was also recognized among CNN’s “50 States, 50 Spots for 2014”.
“We wanted to show at Smith Robertson to get out into the community of Jackson. In the past we had it here on campus. We’ve had it at the Art Center downtown before. We wanted to try a different venue this year,” said Carraway.
From looking at the artwork in the gallery, you will no longer think of the art department’s faculty members as “Professors” but you will recognize them as “Masters of the Fine Arts”.
Some of the standout pieces included in this showing include Whitley’s “Nature’s Beauty”, Kim’s “Sunflower”, Park’s “Machu Picchu”, and many more. The artistic contributions of the featured artists not only shows their dedication to the students they have devoted their time to, but also to the skills that each possess in the work they display.
To see this gallery for yourself, visit the Smith Robertson Museum on 528 Bloom St. in Jackson, Miss. The museum hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For more information call 601-960-1457.
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