Upcoming MacGown Art News

The Mississippi's Best Grassroots Concert and Art Show at Lee Hall at Mississippi State University on 10 February 2009 went well. There were tons of people present and I got to talk to a bunch of them. My art appeared to be well received, and I even had people hanging around for long periods of time checking it out. Because I was a participant, I had a backstage pass and had a chance to meet all of the musicians, including Paul Thorn, who has become an internationally known singer. For more info about the event, I have a site with some pictures up at: http://joemacgown.com/artexhibits/MississippiBestGrassrootsConcert.html

I just received news that the two pieces I submitted to the 36th annual Meridian Bi-State Art Competition at the Meridian Museum of Art (MS) were both accepted! This is a great show, and I was happy to hear they were accepted. Unfortunately, although my art will be on display during the duration of the show from March 14 - April 18, 2009, my art will not be judged for the best of show purchase award because the two pieces I entered are priced much higher than the amount of the purchase award. In not agreeing to sell the art in case it was to win, I forfeited the right to be included in the judging. It was a difficult decision, and I probably would have entered something different had I known about this in advance. Nevertheless, it is a great show and lots of people will be attending the opening.

I will have two landscapes on display in a group show at the Greater Starkville Development Foundation Gallery from 2 March through 1 May 2009. One of the paintings is an acrylic landscape called "A Cloudy Day in Sessums", and the other painting is a watercolor entitled "Tree in Winter". I am still trying to get ready for my upcoming one man exhibition at the Fine Arts Center in Eupora, MS from 25 April to 2 May 2009. I also need to start thinking more about the reception on 25 April from 6 to 8 PM. Lots to do! Come to the show if you can!

I had three of my drawings published recently in an art and poetry book entitled "Harvests of New Millennium", which is published in India. The three pieces are "Infinity" , "Self Searching 5" , and "Facing the Future" . The book is a paperback on glossy paper, but is not as good quality as I had hoped. However, the artwork in it is wonderful, and I can tell you that I don't mind having art in the same book as Peter Gric and other comparably talented artists!

I am submitting three pieces to the Cotton District Arts Festival Juried Competition held in Starkville, MS on 18 April. I have had good luck in this show the last three years having won 3rd, 1st, and 2nd overall. This show has grown by leaps and bounds and now it has become a regional event. It has been named one of the 2009 top 20 events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society. Of course, that means getting artwork accepted is much harder and means a lot more. Wish me luck. I will also be judging the High School Juried Art Show for the festival, which should prove challenging.

In other interesting news, I am on the senior thesis committee for an art student in the Mississippi State University Art Department. Although I am not associated with the art department in any way, both the student and his advising professor are apparently fans of my art work and wanted me on the committee. After two meetings so far, I am finding the experience to be quite rewarding, and hopefully my input has some meaning!