FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2006
Contact: Edmond McDavis III
(662) 241-7851

MUW Photography Exhibit opens today

Two Mississippi University for Women alumni and one staff member will be featured at the MUW Photography Exhibit March 16 through April 22 at the Rosenzweig Arts Center located in downtown Columbus. The exhibit opens at 5:30 p.m. today.

B.R. Hawkins, a 1975 graduate; Chris Jenkins, assistant director of MUW’s Office of Public Affairs; and Anne Rayner, a 1986 graduate all will have their work on display.

Hawkins, who received a journalism degree from MUW, has more than 25 years of experience in the fields of education, journalism, marketing, public relations and state and federal government.

In the past, she has served as the first professional lobbyist for the MUW alumni association, as well as on the staff for the Institutions of Higher Learning for almost a decade.

Jenkins began his career in visual arts in 1992 at MUW after earning an associates of applied science degree in electronics technology in 1991 from East Mississippi Community College.

He has worked in the Office of Public Affairs since 1998, taking up still photography in addition to video production.

His background with electronics technology has helped him embrace digital photography.

“I know there are millions of people in the world who wake up every day and go to a job that they hate. I feel very fortunate to have found something I love and that I can make a living doing. I know that I am very lucky, and I don't want to take anything for granted, so I try to do the very best job I can,” Jenkins said. “This is my first show, but I have been anticipating and planning it for a few years now. I am really anxious for my peers to see my work in a gallery setting.”

Rayner received a bachelor of fine arts in 1986, as a commercial art major with an emphasis in photography.

She has 17 years of experience, and her work has been featured in a number of anatomy textbooks utilized by medical students throughout the United States.

Her work has also been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Harper’s Bazaar, Parent’s Magazine, Woman’s Day, Der Spiegel and other national and international newspapers and periodicals. Her work also has been used in medical legal cases.

Rayner has exhibited in galleries in Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi.

She said, “Photography is a way to express myself and to document what others are doing. I love people and I think that helps in this profession.”