The Center is open daily from 9 to 5.
Located just off the Natchez Trace Parkway and Ross Barnett Reservoir, the Mississippi Craft Center is home to more than 400 talented artisans. Showcasing their work in the Gallery is one way the Guild promotes the work of exceptional craftsmen from 19 states. Demonstrations by Master Craftsmen take place on the grounds of the Center most weekends and classes are taught weekly, during weekend workshops or during week-long sessions. The Center opened in June, 2007, and has garnered the interest of world-wide travelers and regional visitors alike. market, educate and encourage the highest standard of excellence in regional craft. More than 150,000 people attend Guild programs each year where they encounter working craftsmen and the results of their work.
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians are members of the Guild and demonstrate and sell their beautiful baskets at the Center. A collection of historical Choctaw baskets is on display throughout the year.
The Center is an art gallery, museum, an educational center, an art referral agency, an economic development tool and a community center. It is 20,000 sq. ft. and has available space for special event rentals.
Since 1973, the Guild has promoted fine craft as an art and has been highly successful in its endeavor.
Exhibition
Wacky faces of Jerry's friends
Stained Glass of Jerry Hymel
February 1 - 28
- Reception Feb. 2, 5:30 to 7:30 pm
About Jerry Hymel of Our Glass Studio
Jerry Hymel was trained as a research scientist at the Medical Center of South Carolina. In l972 he accepted a faculty position at Hinds Community College in Raymond, Ms. Seven years later
his life was thrown a curve. An accident severed his spinal cord. After a long hospitalization, he returned to the classroom but after three years it was apparent a change in lifestyle was necessary. In 1982, he began to pursue a hobby in stained glass. The hobby developed into his business called Our Glass Studio.
In l987 Jerry joined the Craftsmen Guild of Mississippi and in 2004 became a member of the Louisiana Crafts Guild. In l995 he was selected to create a Christmas ornament for the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. In l999 he traveled to Los Angeles to represent Mississippi and the United States at the International Festival for Handicapped Artists. The event is sponsored by Very Special Arts, which is a part of the Kennedy Foundation. He participated as artist-in-residence at St. Richard's School in Jackson, Ms. under a grant awarded by the Mississippi Arts Commission. The project involved working with each student to construct a twelve foot diameter mosaic. It commemorates a totally accessible playground of which there are only nineteen in the world.
In 2002 he was selected as one of the artists in the U.S. to create an ornament for the White House Christmas tree. While at the White House, a reception for the artists was given by the First Lady, Laura Bush. In the summer of 2004 he traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in Very Special Arts "Odyssey- Dare to Imagine". A recent project involved working with an elderly group of women to create a mosaic serenity garden at a hospital in Jackson, Ms. In 2006 working with the Mississippi Museum of Art and the Ford Foundation and the Jackson Public School System, he worked with Katrina displaced school children on mosaics for the Ms. Department of Education and the Mississippi Museum of Art.
Hymel's creations include gift items, beveled glass, angels, kaleidoscopes, custom windows and restorations. To see some of his work, visit the Our Glass website at www.ourglass.com.
Exhibit Featuring Guild Members Opens at Meridian Museum of Art
Saturday, January 9, 2010 - January 30th
- The exhibit will begin with a reception at 7:00 p.m. on January 9th
Selected works from Exhibiting Members of the Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi will be featured at an exhibit at the Meridian Museum of Art. The museum is open Wednesday-Saturday, 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and admission is free to the public.
"We are delighted to showcase the work of our talented artisans and partner with our sister organization, the Meridian Museum of Art,"; stated Julia Daily, Executive Director of the Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi. "This is a wonderful opportunity to expand our reach and take our "show"; on the road. I think visitors to the exhibit will be amazed by the quality and variety of work in the exhibit.” The variety of work includes furniture, folk art, wood, sculpture, glass, fiber, and even a bottle tree. Work by the artists may be purchased during the exhibit, as well.
Exhibitors included in the exhibit: Bruce Niemi, Kenosha, WI; Byron Myrick, Moselle, MS; Jeri Sherer, Jackson, MS; Obie Clark, Taylor, MS; Molly Kyzar, Terry, MS; Helene Fielder, Booneville, MS; John Gibson, Brandon, MS; Nelda King, Neshoba, MS; Adrian Sturdivant, Brandon, MS; Jeff Long, Houlka, MS; Joe Partridge, Clinton, MS; Scott Hodes, Franklin, TN; Harold Miller, Brandon, MS; George Berry, Pearl, MS; Bonnie Jones, Natchez, MS; Herbert Johnston, Clinton, MS; Julia Allen, Jackson, MS; Pat Juneau, Scott, LA; Dorinda Evans, Madison, MS; Sam Clark, Madison, MS; Tammy Beane, Collinsville, AL; Bill Broadus, Clinton, MS, Greg Arceneaux, Covington, LA; Jill Hammes, Meridian, MS; Stephanie Dwyer, Ridgeland, MS; Bryan Smyda, Puckett, MS; Grant Courtney, Brandon, MS; Alexander Brown, Bentonia, MS.
The Meridian Museum of Art is located in downtown Meridian at 628 25th Avenue. For
more information, contact the Meridian Art Museum Executive Director Kate Cherry, at
601-693-1501 or Julia Daily, Craftsmen's Guild Executive Director, 601-856-7546 or visit www.mscrafts.org.
Shop online24/7 at the MS Craft Center's E-Gallery. We are adding new merchandise weekly. What a great way to send a special gift to someone. You can purchase a hand-crafted gift online and have it shipped to the person on your list!
We can really use your help!
Consider becoming a volunteer at the MS Craft Center. Greet visitors form all over
the country as they travel the Natchez Trace while helping the Craftsmen's Guild in
its mission to promote fine craft!
Call Lynn Flanagan at the Craft Center for more informaiton or visit the Volunteer
page at www.mscrafts.org.
Check out our upcoming class and demonstration schedule and take a class or watch a
demonstration of your favorite type of work. You'll enjoy it more that you can imagine!
