Category: Press Release

ELLISVILLE – Two of the six sophomore art majors, Lillian Barnett-Soso and Jordan Parker-Ellisville are displaying their award-winning artwork with recognition from the Mississippi Community College Art Instructor Association’s statewide student art show at the annual Sophomore Art Exhibit. Barnett and Parker, along with Zykeria Coleman-Laurel, Zoe Estacio-Laurel, Alyssa Mosely-Laurel, and Gracie Nichols-Laurel have several pieces of artwork currently on display at the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery on the campus of Jones College in Ellisville, through May 2, 2025. The Sophomore Art Exhibit features a little bit of everything from the classes students have taken on campus including drawing and design to ceramics and painting. All the bases are covered according to Jones College Art instructor, Melanie Banks.

“I’m really proud of these graduates, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for them,” said Eubanks. “I hope the public takes the time to see their artwork.”

Jordan Parker of Ellisville earned first place honors at the Mississippi Community College Art Instructor Association’s statewide student art show. The South Jones High School graduate explained her printmaker poster was inspired from a 1950s poster she updated featuring her favorite current musicians for a concert appearance.

“I love oil painting, so this print piece is really out of my norm,” shared Jordan. “It was for an assignment and my least favorite genre of art so I was a little surprised I won!”

Parker said she’s been drawing since she could hold a pencil as a child. Her future plans include earning her bachelor’s degree from USM, working in a museum and continuing to create art.

Her classmate, Lillian Barnett of Soso, also earned honors at the statewide art show. Barnett received an Honorable Mention for her oil painting, “Worn Out” depicting a scooter needing repairs. The West Jones High School graduate explained her dad’s repair shop was the inspiration for her winning artwork.

“I’m very happy about placing in the MCCAIA competition; it feels good! The award also confirms my decision to become an art professor,” said Barnett, who also won 2nd place while in high school.

Northeast Jones High School graduate, Zykeria Coleman has several ink and pen drawings of still life on display. She explained that her inspiration comes from her self-determination to succeed with aspirations of inspiring others to succeed.

“A year ago, I didn’t think I could do what I love. With a little hard work and dedication, and support from my instructor, Mr. Brown, I’m going to earn my art degree and continue creating,” said Coleman.

She added that her grandfather’s love of art inspired her to pursue being an artist since he had to work instead of following his dreams of becoming an artist. Coleman plans to earn her art degree at William Carey University.

Also showing some of their favorite works, is Zoe Estacio whose artwork features her love of stuffed animals. The West Jones High School graduate’s brightly colored oil paintings reflect happiness through the eyes of children. She plans to get her B.F.A. from Mississippi State.

Additionally, Alyssa Mosely of Laurel enjoys using bright colors in her oil paintings and ink drawings which are her contributions to the Sophomore Art Exhibit. She focuses on drawing flowers and other still life objects in her work and has plans to earn her degree at USM.

Gracie Nichols dabbles in various forms of art including water color, ink, charcoal, and graphite. The West Jones High School graduate from Laurel plans to continue creating artwork in the future.

For more information about upcoming JC art shows or to arrange a visit to the gallery call 601-477-8401. The Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., and by appointment only on Wednesdays. The gallery is closed during the holidays. To learn more about the Jones College Art Department, https://www.jcjc.edu/programs/finearts/ or the JC Art Department’s social media: Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/JCJCFineArts/ and on Instagram @artatjonescollege.

ELLISVILLE –Four Jones College sophomore music students are inviting the public to hear their last solo performances before graduation.  Sophomores expected to perform are Logan Miller of Ellisville, Trey Daverson of Stringer, Johnna Nail of Morton and Zoe Payne of Quitman.

On Monday, April 7, at 7 p.m. in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium, percussionist Logan Miller will take the stage performing on various instruments. He will be performing on the drum set, marimba, snare drum, timpani, vibraphone and xylophone. The JC Percussion Ensemble, JC Jazz Band with vocalist and JC grad, Emma Grantham will be assisting Miller during his sophomore recital.

The following Monday, April 14, at 7 p.m. in the Foote Chapel, trumpet players, Trey Daverson and Johnna Nail will join clarinetist, Zoe Payne.  Performing with Daverson will be the Trumpet Quartet consisting of Nathan Bower of Ellisville, Jonathan Roney of Ellisville and Johnna Nail of Morton. Additionally, Daverson will be using his Eb and Bb trumpets, and Flugelhorn for his recital. The Northwest Rankin High School graduate, Nail, will be joining Daverson during her recital for a duet performance with her Bb and Eb trumpet. She has been assisted by adjunct high brass instructor, Kyle Matthees while at Jones College.

Quitman’s Zoe Payne will be performing a duet with her JC woodwinds instructor, Susan Schuman during her portion of the sophomore recital. All three JC students will be accompanied by piano faculty, Dr. Theresa Sanchez.

The recitals are free and open to the public. These performances are a part of the sophomore music student’s degree requirements for Jones College. For more information about the JC music program or the sophomore recitals call the College of Arts, Music and Performance at 601-477-4203.

ELLISVILLE –Jones College art students filled the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery for Nathan Mullins “Art Talk” as he shared his journey that led to his niche of sports portrait painting. The University of Southern Mississippi painting professor’s exhibit, “Play Ball” features images of Baseball’s superstars and interesting memories from Mullins youth, including images from Baseball Cards to live action images he remembers watching on TV. The recent exhibit on display on the college campus and his art talk is one avenue of showing students various forms of art. Also, it allows artists like Mullins the opportunity to help students explore ideas for creating art and learning about the different things that can be inspiring, like live sports action.

In April, Sophomore Art students at Jones College will have their work on display for the last art show in the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery. The Annual Sophomore Art Exhibition will be open to the public beginning on Monday, April 7, through May 2.

For more information about upcoming JC art shows or to arrange a visit to the gallery call 601-477-8401. The Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., and by appointment only on Fridays. The gallery is closed during the holidays. To learn more about the Jones College Art Department, https://www.jcjc.edu/programs/finearts/ or the JC Art Department’s social media: Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/JCJCFineArts/ and on Instagram @artatjonescollege.

ELLISVILLE – Jones College students won 16 awards at the 2024 Better News/Media Contest held in conjunction with the 27^th annual O.C. McDavid Journalism Summit on March 20, in Ridgeland. Both community college and university newspapers competed in their respective categories, while in some categories, the two-year colleges had to compete against universities. Jones College once again received the General Excellence Award in the community college division which is based on the number of awards earned throughout the competition

“I am very impressed with our student’s success especially since we competed against university students who may have more experience than our freshman and sophomore students,” said Journalism instructor and advisor of JC’s student publications, Kelly Atwood.  “Our staff took home the most awards and won the overall award which is a testament to their hard work.”

The Jones newspaper, the Radionian, swept the Best General News Story category, with Haidyn Houston of Raleigh winning third place for her story on the HomeTown remodeling of the President’s House on campus. The second-place award went to Destiny Velasco of Ellisville for her story on the tennis team helping with hurricane relief, and the first-place award went to Jaylynn Conner of Waynesboro for her story on AI technology in education.

Additionally, the Radionian came home with all three awards in the Best Feature Story, with Jayla Jones of Stonewall placing third for her story on a NICU fundraiser in memory of a JC faculty members’ infant, Myles Jaxon Jones. Jayla Jones also received second place for her story about a JC student who lost her eyesight. First place went to Jacarious Roberts of Hattiesburg, who wrote a story about a homeless student who found refuge at Jones.

“Receiving an award for my story was a very validating moment for me,” said JC sophomore Jacarious Roberts. “I was nervous but excited about the conference, but when the Radionian started winning awards I couldn’t help but be proud of us. The Radionian has helped boost my confidence every time I write a story. Throughout this experience I have also learned the importance of being vocal with my peers and accepting constructive criticism.”

All colleges competed in the Best Website category, with the Radionian winning first place. The judge’s remarks included, “Overall the best design with nice uses of photography. In a category where many contenders looked similar, this one stood out. Strong content seals the win.”

In Best Feature Photo, the Radionian took all three spots with Sami Jordan of Ocean Springs taking third place for her photo “Cozy by the Fireplace,” which looked like a professionally created sellable stock photo. Jordan also received second place for her photo of Philosophy instructor John Stockstill. Gabriela Moncivais of Laurel received first place for her photo of a cosmetology student working in the lab.

While competing against all colleges In the Best General News Photo category, Reagan McLeod of Waynesboro received third place for her photos of men’s basketball, and Ella Thomas of Laurel received first place for her action shots of men’s soccer.

The following students competed against both university and community college students and received accolades. In the Best Sports Feature category, Boo Mills of Laughton England placed third for her story on soccer player Hilary Jaen. In the Best General Interest Column category, Rylee Burks of Picayune placed third for her column on Cheap College Eats for students. Haley Shepherd of Petal received third place for her Color Run photo in the Best Sports Photo competition and in the Best Use of Video category, Jayla Jones received third place for the NICU memorial fundraiser.

The awards competition and summit are funded by the McDavid Fund of the Mississippi Press Foundation. The Summit included guest speakers from the Roy Howard Center for Community Journalism, photojournalist Chris Todd and Mississippi Today’s Marshall Ramsey.

Students can apply for positions on the Radionian newspaper, broadcasting or yearbook classes by emailing Jones College student publications advisor, Kelly Atwood at Kelly.atwood@jcjc.edu