“Color exists in itself, possessing its own beauty.” Henri Matisse
The Smithsonian lists Mississippi Arts Colony as “the country’s oldest artist-run organization of its kind.”
Mississippi Arts Colony is guided by a collective of artists. Our activities are funded through fees from our workshop sessions, grants from arts agencies, and generous contributions from supporters like you.
“Colony” is an invitation-only community providing arts learning experiences for adult artists. By providing week-long practicum experiences twice a year with a qualified facilitator, our goal is to help Mississippi artists develop their artistic abilities, build their professional skills, build community with other artists, and ultimately keep the arts scene thriving in Mississippi.
With bi-annual workshops hosted at the beautiful grounds of Lake Tiak-O’khata in Louisville, MS, the outdoor openess and conference centers and motel facilities provide a wonderful destination for many of Mississippi’s most talented artists.
Each year, we offer two week-long educational opportunities for adult artists, in the fall and spring. These sessions are held during the final weeks of April and September. Artists must be nominated by a Colony member to be eligible to attend. For more information about our artist workshop sessions, click here.
We offer one scholarship to cover the cost of the workshop each session. If you are interested in applying for our Invitational Award Scholarship, please fill out the application here.
Each session The Mississippi Art Colony hosts a guest artist to guide, mentor and critique the attending members. These guest artists are esteemed educators, artists and/or curators who provides invaluable assistance to each artist attending for creative growth and a successful session. Some of our past guest artists include:
| David Shevlino | Bunny Harvey | Robert Berguson |
| Ben Shamback | Mary Vernon | Larry Jens Anderson |
| Judy Wise | Sheri Fleck Rieth | Jake Wagnon |
| Moe Booker | Dennis Masback | Michael Crespo |
| Stanley Kurtz | Hugh Williams | Francis de LaRosa |
| Adrian Deckbar | Harry Paul Ally | Tom Francis |
| Kathleen Conover | Edgardo Kerlegand | |
| David Hornung | Susan Maaskestad | |
| Ke Francis | Randall LaGro | |
| Angus Macpherson | Mary Lovelace O’Neal | |
| Noah Saterstrom | Jos A. Smith | |
| Jenene Nagy | Ron Pokrasso | |
| David Horton | Johnnie Winona Ross | |
| David Kapp | David B. Moore | |
| John Beerman | Judith Raphael | |
| Holly Roberts | Walter Crump | |