JACKSON, MISS. – May 16, 2018 –In partnership with the Mississippi Museum of Art, the Mississippi Arts Commission will present the pop-up exhibit “Folk Arts Apprenticeship Showcase” in the Trustmark Grand Hall at the Mississippi Museum of Art on Thursday, May 17, 2018.

The exhibit is a curated showcase of photographs and performances that highlight the participants of MAC’s Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program. This grant program helps ensure the survival of community-based traditional art forms in the state by providing support for master traditional artists to pass on knowledge of specific aspects of their tradition to an apprentice.

The exhibit covers the work of Mississippi master artists and their apprentices, including Regina Derstine and Jamira Jackson (sacred harp music), Bobby Whalen and Calvin Jones (painting), Bill Rogers and Patti Vick (bluegrass fiddle), Rhonda Blasingame and Stephaine Jones (quilting), and Jerry Jenkins and Jeremy Robinson (West African djembe drumming). The photographs of the master artists and apprentices on display are by Maria Zeringue.

“The Mississippi Arts Commission is pleased to partner with the Mississippi Museum of Art to present this exhibit depicting the unique cultural traditions of the participants in the Folk Arts Apprenticeship program” said Malcolm White, executive director of MAC. “An important part of our work at MAC is to document these traditions and make resources available to ensure their survival.”

The reception for the exhibit will take place on Thursday, May 17, 2018, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson, Miss. During the program, several of the exhibit’s featured artists will be present to share stories and educate the public about their traditional practices in a discussion facilitated by MAC Folk and Traditional Arts Director Maria Zeringue.

This exhibit is sponsored by the Mississippi Arts Commission and funded through the support of the National Endowment for the Arts. This event is a part of the Museum After Hours series and is free and open to the public.

Contact:  Maria Zeringue | Folk and Traditional Arts Director | mzeringue@arts.ms.gov | (601) 359-6034