The Mississippi University for Women Galleries will hold painting sessions this week for non-art and art majors as part of its outreach efforts.

Paint Brush

At 5-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11, a collaboration between the Columbus Arts Council (CAC) and The W will provide non-art majors an opportunity to paint an Ody owl as a keepsake. Sheryl Jefferies, a student at The W who is an intern with the CAC, organized the event, which will be held at Summer Hall.

Dr. Beverly Joyce, the director of The W Galleries, said The W is excited to partner with the CAC and Gibson, who she said has organized similar events in downtown Columbus and is holding one at The W for the first time.

“We will have tables set up with all of the supplies,” Joyce said. “Experienced artists from The W and the town will be there to help the non-art majors.”

From 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, there will be a paint session for The W art majors to decorate skulls for the MUW Galleries’ annual Day of the Dead altar installation, which will be on display from Oct. 14 through Nov. 4. The come-and-go event for The W students will feature ceramic skulls made by Ian Childers and special markers for the decorations. There also will be papier machè skulls for students to paint.

Joyce said the skulls will be on display for the duration of the Day of the Dead installation, and that students will get to take the skulls home if they wish. 

“This is part of our festivities surrounding the Day of the Dead,” Joyce said. “We are partnering with the Spanish Culture Club for some of these festivities.”

Joyce said a related event will be at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, when The W student presentations will return to The W Galleries. These events weren’t able to be held the past few years due to the pandemic. The second-annual Day of the Dead costume contest will follow the student presentations.

About The W

Located in historic Columbus, Mississippi, The W was founded in 1884 as the first state-supported college for women in the United States. Today, the university is home to 2,227 students in more than 70 majors and concentrations and has educated men for 40 years. The university is nationally recognized for low student debt, diversity and social mobility which empowers students to BE BOLD.

Be Bold. Tower with Blue.