Kayla Sims
MC301/Staff Writer
Jackson State University’s Margaret Walker Center hosted the 13thAnnual Creative Arts Festival on April 12-13. The theme of this year’s conference was, “Arts and Activism/Activism as Art.”
The Creative Arts Festival was free and open to students, faculty and people within the Jackson community.
The festival kicked off with a film screening and viewing of “I Too Am Mississippi, Breaking the Silence on Trans Harassment and Discrimination through Narrative Change.”
Diana Marshall, a transgender woman who is a native of Jackson Miss., explained the struggles she faces as an African-American transgender woman.
“This festival is truly an amazing experience for me. I am a black transgender woman and I am happy to see people like myself getting recognition, especially in one of the most conservative states in the country. Every day it is a constant struggle with not only being transgender, but also being black and Jackson State’s Walker Center has done a great job with this year’s festival,” said Marshall.
Participants and attendees also viewed the screening of “The Hello Girls” and exchange dialogue on the presentation with JSU alum, James Theres.
Jamie Holden, a senior graphic design major from Senatobia, Miss., expressed the joy she felt in listening to the dialogue about the film.
“I am happy to be a part of this. The conversation was honest and open and I am grateful that I had a chance to listen to the variety of opinions,” said Holden.
The festival was anchored towards different genres of art such as visual arts, poetry/spoken word, performing arts and written art with featured presentations.
Saturday morning, the student presentations began in the JSU Student Center and in Ayer Hall.
Students who entered their submissions had the opportunity to win theMargaret Walker Alexander Annual Award.
The festival came to a close with a photography display opening of “Everywhere with Roy Lewis” in the Johnson Hall art gallery.
Kayla Monroe, a junior English major from Jackson, Miss., spoke about her presentation within the festival.
“This for me was a once in a lifetime experience. I am proud to share my writing with the professionals. The feedback I received has been helpful and I had the opportunity to network with people who are doing what I want to do in the future.”
Mississippi native and comic writer, Jesse Holland, was a keynote speaker at the Creative Arts Festival.
Michael Haywood, a freshman criminal justice major from Chicago Ill., stated the impact that Holland had on his life.
“He really inspired me and after hearing him talk, I am considering changing my major,” said Haywood.
Author, activist, and producer Kevin Powell was also a participant in the festival.
Powell spoke about the challenges he faced growing up, his experience in life and some of the work he has done.
Jaquori Wilson, a senior history major from Jacksonville Fla., was encouraged by the words from Powell.
“The things he spoke about touched me dearly because I can relate to his experiences, especially growing up. I am a student at Tougaloo College, and when I found out Kevin Powell was speaking, I knew I had to come. He is an inspiration to me because he has work with some of the greatest people of all time.”
The festival came to an end with Powell delivering the closing remarks and the announcement of the winners of the Phi Alpha Theta Award for the Best History Paper.
The winner of the $1,000 Margaret Walker Award for the best essay “on the black experience in the American South,” was also announced. The 1stplace prize went to Nakiya Beamon.
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