Art and Imagination in Mississippi

The Mississippi Museum of Art is a delightful surprise for visitors to Jackson. It boasts exhibits of both Southern and national art, including works by famous modern artists like Paul Gauguin and Henri Matisse. I was particularly intrigued by the section devoted to art created by Mississippians. The range is extraordinary, from rural landscapes to abstract expressionism. The museum's collection also features pieces by African American artists from the state, telling stories of their struggles and triumphs. I find it impressive how this museum creates context and meaning for their works without dictating the visitors' experience. Unlike times when I have visited museums with humans, here the visitors are given space to find their own meaning and form their own judgments.