Mississippi Creates: Visual Art is a collaborative project between the Center for the Study of Southern Culture, Department of Theatre and Film at the University of Mississippi, and Yoknapatawpha Arts Council.  This series was launched in 2021 by Professor John Rash as part of his curriculum for MFA students, who were each asked to produce a short documentary film highlighting local musicians who have been influenced or inspired by the life, culture, and sounds of Mississippi. In the spring of 2024, the project expanded to pair groups of students with local visual artists to document the craft and inspiration of their creative process.

Jason Bouldin: Corporeal Nature

A Film By: Tanner Goodeill and Madeleine Perkins

Jere Allen

Film by: Ashish Shrestha, Abby Stewart, Leah Sumner
Jere Allen spends the majority of his time doing what he loves most, his hobby and passion: painting. Jere lives with his wife, Joe; their bond and a beautiful family are the muse to his long career as a painter in Oxford, MS.

Kell Kellum: Layers

Film by: NEEN. , Garrett Fuller, Sochima Okafor

Kell Kellum is a multimedia artist from between Itta Bena, Mississippi. He specializes in instrumental music and photography. Seamlessly weaving between sound and imagery, Kell’s artistic vision is a testament to his unwavering dedication to his craft. W Through his collaborative spirit and a keen eye for detail, Kell invites viewers and listeners alike to join him on a journey of exploration and discovery, where every image and melody is a testament to the beauty and complexity of the human experience.

Greta Koshenina: Sole Ciana

A Film By: Emma Finlay and Max Griffith

Andi Sherrill Bedsworth : Mississippi Creates

Directed by: Mimi Biship, Ellie Kish, Athula Samarakoon

Producer: Mimi Bishop

Editor: Ellie Kish

Cinematographer: Athula Samarakoon

Susan Mah: Mississippi Creates

In the American South, psychotherapist and fine art photographer Susan Mah channels emotions into transformative art. This documentary explores Mah’s journey, blending phototherapy with societal critique, as she navigates loss, identity, and activism. Mah’s work transcends boundaries, offering a poignant glimpse into the intersection of life and art.

Directed by: Sela Ricketts, Chase Taylor, Peter Muvunyi

Producer: Sela Ricketts

Cinematographer: Chase Taylor

Editor: Peter Muvunyi