By Debbie Burt Myers

A collage of student self-portraits arranged in the shape of Mississippi is on display in the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion for the holidays, thanks to a collaboration between a Philadelphia business owner and three arts teachers at Neshoba County Schools.

Madden Gray, owner of MG & Company, was selected to decorate the mansion for Christmas and he knew exactly what he wanted to do.

“He wanted to give First Lady Elee Reeves a special work of art created by students of Neshoba County,” said Neshoba Central Middle School art teacher Kim Kilpatrick.

Kilpatrick teamed up with elementary art teacher Tanya Kilpatrick and middle school art teacher Bridgette McFarland to bring the project to fruition.

The final piece -- a Mississippi-shaped collage -- features self-portraits drawn by art students from across the district. Pages of old books were chosen for the background.

Neshoba Central Elementary Principal Tiffany Plott said the art project’s selection was a “tremendous honor and a reflection of the creativity, talent, and hard work our students bring to school each and every day.”

The arts play a vital role at Neshoba Elementary, she said.

“We believe the arts play a vital role in helping children grow, express themselves and discover their unique gifts,” Plott said. “To see their work recognized at the state level is not only exciting for our students and their families, but also a celebration of the dedication of our amazing art program and teachers who nurture these young artists.

“We are honored to represent our community in such a special and festive way. I could not be prouder of our students, and I cannot wait for visitors to experience their beautiful artwork at the Governor’s Mansion this Christmas season.”

 

Tanya Kilpatrick said she and the other teachers were immediately on board for the art project.

 “Kim asked us to have students draw self-portraits on index cards and then trim around them,” she said. “She attached them to a canvas where she had drawn an outline of Mississippi.”

She said student embraced the project and “did an exceptional job.”

The students also learned an important lesson: “When we all work and come together, we become a true masterpiece.”

Once the drawings were completed, portraits for the canvas were chosen at random.

“I am extremely proud of all our students in the school district,” Tanya Kilpatrick said. “I was so honored to work with these ladies to complete this project. It is something that will last a lifetime!”

Kim Kilpatrick agreed.

“I was so happy Madden asked us to participate,” she said. “It was a wonderful opportunity to work with the other art teachers in our district and create a work of art that includes students from kindergarten to seniors.”

McFarland, too, was grateful to the invitation to be part of this project.

“I loved seeing our elementary, middle and high school students come together to create this beautiful portrait.  Their collective creativity transformed this canvas into a beautiful and unified portrait of Mississippi.”