Mississippi Governor Awards Artistic Excellence

Governor's Awards For Excellence in the Arts

The Mississippi Arts Commission and Governor Haley Barbour teamed up Thursday afternoon to recognize the best the state has to offer. MPB’s Arts reporter Ron Brown has the story.

The applause coming out of Galloway United Methodist Church Thursday afternoon in downtown Jackson had nothing to do with religion but plenty to do with worship.
Mississippi once again was honoring it’s outstanding artists and organizations.
This is the 21st year for the Governor’s Arts Awards for Excellence in the Arts.
But Mississippi Arts Commission Executive Director Malcolm White said when it comes to outstanding artists, Mississippi seems to have a never ending supply.

“They are continually astounding. People say to us do you think you’ll ever run out of recipients and I say not as long as the Mississippi river’s flowing we won’t run out of recipients.”

This years winners included Wolfe Studios in Jackson, The University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, the Wings Performing Arts Program in Gulfport, Painter Andrew Bucci, bestselling author John Grisham, and jazz singer Cassandra Wilson. It’s been a big year for Wilson who grew up in Jackson. She won her second Grammy award earlier this month in Los Angles. But she said coming home to accept the Governor’s award was something extra special.

“It’s the sweetest award. When you’re able to come home and enjoy the company of your family and friends, lifelong friends, and enjoy an award like this, it’s the best”

A panel of nine judges selected the winners from a pool of 45 nominations. Even before the applause dies out from this years awards, the arts commission already began accepting nominations for next year. Reporting for MPB News, I’m Ron Brown