The Columbus Arts Council in Mississippi hosted the opening reception of its second Black Excellence Art Exhibition, featuring fiber artist Stephany Brown reading from 'Of Salt and Spirit: Black Quilters in the American South' and a poem by Alabama Poet Laureate Ashley M. Jones. The exhibition showcased a diverse range of works including Brittany Horne's luminous portrait of her daughter, Brown's hand-sewn quilts, Kenneth Smith's stained glass mosaics, and live music by vocalist-pianist Kyia King. Culinary arts students from East Mississippi Community College contributed food honoring Black chefs and agricultural scientists, creating a multisensory celebration of Black artistry and heritage.
The exhibition matters because it centers Black voices and narratives in a community arts setting, transforming a traditional gallery opening into a vibrant cultural gathering that connects visual art, music, poetry, and food. By highlighting regional Black artists and their stories, the event reinforces the importance of inclusive representation in local arts programming and demonstrates how community arts councils can foster meaningful dialogue about identity, history, and resilience.