On 8.9.25 I won Best of Show at the Meridian Museum of Art for my punch needle piece “Repeat after me…”
If you’re surprised, well that makes two of us.
It was a silly piece I started one night out of frustration. It’s really disappointing hearing about schools banning really amazing books when they should be advocated for. Books have always opened my mind and taught me something. If it’s something I didn’t like, I just put it down and moved on to another book. Easy. I never once had the inclination to ban something because it’s content made me feel uncomfortable. Books should challenge us and make us think. We never grow in our comfort zones. Maybe those who want to ban books should consider reading them first.
I had a second piece accepted into the show as well. “Two Spotless Cheetahs”, another punch needle piece, was also accepted. I have made several pieces with animals circling each other making the orientation of the piece correct no matter how you hang it. I started designing pieces like this several years ago and it just stuck in my mind. I don’t have a specific reason for drawing cheetahs (with no spots) or in a circle. It just makes me happy I guess.
I love the Meridian Museum of Art. They do excellent work in fostering the art community in Mississippi. The 2024 and 2025 Bi-Annual Juried Art Competition were the first two art competitions that I have entered since graduating college. I was lucky enough to be selected to be in the show last year and beyond honored to win Best of Show for 2025. (Honestly, I cried when I found out. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine my work would be selected Best. Of. Show.) Now I’m looking forward to future shows.