The amount of art that is in Oxford should not go unnoticed. There are five thriving galleries in Oxford or just a short drive away in Taylorsville. These are the spots that all citizens, visitors and all others should come and visit while they are in Oxford:
UM Art Museum is a part of Ole Miss campus. With exciting exhibits showing daily, this museum is definitely one to see. Located between the university and the Square, the UM Art Museum is the perfect place to stop when walking from the Square to campus.
The newest exhibit is titled “Bloomingdale’s Fashion Show.” It showcases one-of-a-kind football helmets that were designed by famous fashion designers for an auction to benefit the NFL Foundation.
“There were three helmets that we made a bid on and won,” said Rebecca Phillips, the membership, events and communications coordinator of the UM Art Museum.
The UM Art Museum has many collections that attract attention. This includes Southern Folk Art and Greek and Roman antiquities. These collections and the special exhibits that the museum host much of the Southern history that Oxford itself exemplified.
“We get a very good amount of student interaction from the school and from visitors and locals and with activities such as art and poetry classes, among other things, we believe that interaction can only get better,” Phillips said.
Southside Art Gallery is located on the Square beside Old Venice Pizza. This art gallery gives Oxford its own gallery that brings a sense of a great presence to the town. This gallery features work by regional, national and international artists. The gallery also hosts a lecture series and receptions. The Southside Gallery has been in Oxford for 21 years and has hosted many popular exhibits.
Their most recent exhibit was “Fresh Paint: Painting the Mississippi Landscape.” It began in May and ended in June and is a collection of plain air landscape paintings painted by Ole Miss students picked by local artist and professor, Phillip Jackson. This collection also included pieces by David Campbell, artist in residence at Ole Miss.
The Southside Gallery has firmly cemented its niche in the Oxford neighborhood and is loved and enjoyed by students, locals and visitors.
Yoknapatawpha Arts Council “provides 320 days of art for the Oxford and Lafayette counties,” Stacy Stanford, the Outreach and Education Coordinator said. The Yoknapatawpha Arts Council provides art classes, dances classes and summer fest.
“We are essentially the mothership to approximately 20 organizations in the area,” Stanford said.
This arts council is dedicated to making sure that providing the Oxford and surrounding county its fair dose of art and show its wonder. They are now ending their Summer Fest of 82 events in 32 hours of artistic entertainment and are gearing up for their traditional Art Crawl, which is a free tour on the double decker buses of the art spaces around town.
“We are always looking for more volunteers and citizens and students are more than welcome to volunteer. Our volunteers always have fun,” Stanford said.
Taylor Arts Gallery is a family-owned gallery in Taylor. In the disguise of a house, this gallery is home to some popular hand carved furniture and handmade jewelry made by Marc Deloach and Christine Schultz. This gallery is special because both Mississippi residents have personal connections with their customers.
“We’ve been around for a long time and Taylor’s an attractive place for artists,” Deloach said.
They work and sell their unique pieces on their property on which they also live. This seemingly provides their customers with a “stronger inclination to buy.”
Unlike the traditional gallery, Taylor Arts Gallery does not have collections that art typical of the average art gallery. They make pieces that they want and put them on display. Customers have the option to buy them or just to look. This gallery also makes custom pieces by request for their customers.
“There is always something new,” Deloach said.
Gallery 130 in Meek Hall is a great gallery filled with Ole Miss student work. This gallery is on campus and easily accessible for students and visitors. With works such as sculptures, paintings and ceramics, this gallery is a must-see.
This gallery is a great way for visitors and other students to interact with talented students and teachers alike. Every exhibit at this gallery showcases another artistic facet of the Ole Miss campus and community.
“I’ve visited this gallery, and it is really impressive,” Ole Miss student Maricia Echols said. “I highly suggest that more students come and see it because it can be just as impressive as the Grove. At least, I think so.”
Oxford Treehouse Gallery is a unique space that can be considered an absolute delight. What once started out as a blacksmith shop soon became a treehouse and a space filled with artistic work.
This gallery belongs to Walter and Vivian Neil and was formerly known as the Neil Studios. The artistic couple actually used to live within the studio while their house was under construction. However, it recently became the Oxford Treehouse Gallery on April 18.
This revamped gallery is another must-see because not only does it have art but it is also literally a treehouse. Walter and Vivian Neil host parties, receptions, workshops and meetings for parties of up to 75 people at this unique art venue.
Oxford is known for its parties, Groving and tailgating, but that’s not all there is. Go and explore the real Oxford, outside of shady trees and game-time tents. It’s a beautiful, multifaceted place.
-Samantha Abernathy
