The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on November 19 for the Community Arts Center at MGCCC’s Perkinston Campus. Renovation was completed during the fall.
The center is part of a larger community-arts project and will be utilized to promote a creative economy through community arts-based projects and programming. It will provide a place for students of all ages to experience the arts through classes, performances, exhibits and workshops that promote creativity and celebrate the community. Floor plans include creative spaces for exhibitions and meetings, a working studio space with a glass and ceramic kiln room, storage, a kitchen, an office, and restrooms.
A former dairy barn built in 1931 to sell surplus milk to soldiers at Camp Shelby, the small concrete facility has been expanded and used as a variety of college facilities. The idea to make it a community arts center was born out of the many collaborations the campus Fine Arts Department had with the Stone County Arts Council, which donated $10,000 toward its renovation, and the Mississippi Arts Commission, which donated $226,000.
Artwork by Rand Hayward Jolly is on currently on exhibit in the center.