Creative Expression

Listen to the virtual commencement for 2020. Due to an international health crisis, we were forced to abruptly end our school year on campus, but seniors persevered and finished strong. We'll hear from Jonathan Blake Sauls (Salutatorian), Jessica Ramsey Luke (Valedictorian), Dr. Nathan Oakley (Chief Academic Officer at the Mississippi Department of Education), and a commencement ad

We go back to Mississippi School of the Arts' Commencement 2016. Marshall Ramsey, the former editorial cartoonist for The Clarion Ledger, was invited to speak to departing seniors. Marshall gives a message of hope and encouragement. During these times of 2020, we encourage our seniors with a message of hope to excel in whatever they decide to do throughout life. Marshall is current

A native of Greenwood, Mississippi, Ezekiel McCall is rising in the ranks as a theater star. A graduate of Mississippi School of the Arts, Mississippi College and the University of Southern Mississippi, McCall has performed in numerous events all over the country. He is also a past recipient of the MSA Alumni Hall of Fame. The Phantom in "Phantom of the Opera," the Beast in "Beauty

Shaw Furlow recently joined us in the podcast studio. When he's not behind a microphone or musical instrument, he's out promoting the local music scene in Brookhaven. A 1969 graduate of Brookhaven High School, Shaw left his hometown to obtain his degree and pursue a career in music. After teaching music in education from middle school to high school, he returned to Brookhaven and f

Listen to the Mississippi School of the Arts' Commencement 2019. Speakers include Dr. Sebrina Palmer, director of professional development and state special schools at the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), Dr. Nathan Oakley, Chief Academic Officer at MDE, Lydia Taylor (salutatorian), Zoe Holley (valedictorian), and Alysia Steele, the author of Delta Jewels. The commencemen

Mississippi School of the Arts welcomes Michael Roy, a first-year graduate of the visual arts program. After graduating from MSA in 2005, Michael attended the Memphis College of Art. He is an international muralist, having painted murals in cities all across America and countries such as Korea. In 2018, Michael came back home to MSA to paint a large mural on campus. Michael is the

In Episode 6 of the Creative Expression podcast, Emily Bishop, a senior visual artist at Mississippi School of the Arts, chats with Rob Cooper, a glass artist from his home city of Jackson, Mississippi. As a native of Jackson, Rob has seen many changes in the mid-town city arts scene. Emily gets into the grit about Rob's job at Pearl River Glass Studio and how it has affected his a

Alysia Burton Steele was invited to Mississippi School of the Arts as a 3-day artist-in-residence (Guest Artist Residency Program). During her stay, Steele interacted with students in the Literary department, Visual Arts photography class, and school-wide Diversity Club. Alysia is author of the book “Delta Jewels: In Search of My Grandmother’s Wisdom,” which is a collection o

Teachers at Mississippi School of the Arts joined in a book study over the past several weeks. The book, entitled "The Everyday Work of Art," introduces its readers to the real concept of art as a human being. Culminating the study was a workshop with the author of the book, Eric Booth. In this podcast, Suzanne Hirsch (executive director) engages in conversation to find out Eric's

The award-winning, Mississippi School of the Arts (MSA) Chorale presents the 2018 Fall Concert, featuring select pieces of music and holiday classics. Listen to Episode 3 of the Creative Expression podcast as MSA chorale members bring to you a beautiful rendition of select vocal pieces and arrangements from several composing artists. This event was recorded live in concert on Decem