The Hattiesburg Arts Council provides collaborative, innovative, and accessible programming in the arts, that promotes artists in all disciplines and enhances the quality of life in our community.

Children's Theater Event

Wiggle Genius will once again partner with Hattiesburg Arts Council to present "For the Love of Dance," a combined theater and dance interactive event for children in pre-K through age 12.

Directed by Mississippi Arts Commission teaching artist Julie Hammond, the show helps children find their inner creativity.

This year, the Arts Council is pleased to announce it will offer the shows for free.

Open admission shows will be at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. February 28 in the Black Box Theater at the Rebekah Stark Johnson Community Arts Center, 825 N. Main St. No reservations required.

Adult Best of Show: Marius Vincze for Solitude

Youth Best of Show: Charles Reynolds for The Eye of the Camera

Hattiesburg Arts Council announces winners of 2026 Amateur Photography Competition

We had a great showing for the annual Amateur Photography Competition, judged each year by professional photographers. We more than 70 entries in the Adult Division and nine entries in the Youth Division. Awards were given in each of five categories, and Best of Show, with cash awards, was given to one adult and one youth photographer.

Adult Division

Animals category

Bethany Sharp, First Place, The Sentrys
Ray Roberts, Second Place, Lunch on the Chilkat
Mike McCallister, Third Place, Bernice in Church
Rebecca Makayla Valdez, honorable mention, Shake it Baby

Design category

Marcia Landen, First Place, London Chimneys
Gayle Warwick, Second Place, Lean on Me
Marcia Landen, Third Place, Library - Look Up
Lisa Foster, honorable mention, Roy's Squeeze-In
Gayle Warwick, honorable mention, Take a Letter Maria

Landscape category

Marius Vincze, First Place, Solitude
Marius Vincze, Second Place, Roald Amundsen
Marius Vincze, Third Place, Meteora Monasteries
Kathy Lee, honorable mention, Fading History
Gayle Warwick, honorable mention, At the Graves

Nature category

Marcia Landon, First Place, Dover Storm
Ray Roberts, Second Place, Lone Eagle
Kathryn Edwards, Third Place, Brave New World
Rebecca Makayla Valdez, honorable mention, Dancing on Water
Marius Vincze, honorable mention, Bouquets

People category

Marius Vincze, First Place, Second Street
Airon Whitt, Second Place, Juancito
Kathy Lee, Third Place, When Light Catches a Smile
Russell W. York, honorable mention, Yay Team!

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Youth Division

Animals category

Charles Reynolds, First Place, The Eye of the Camera

Design category

Charles Reynolds, First Place, The Light that Darkness Missed

Keeton Smith, Second Place, Windmill Climber

Landscape category

Hamilton Jones, First Place, Creek of the Asulkan

Keeton Smith, Second Place, The Workshop

Keeton Smith, Third Place, Vivid Summer

Keeton Smith, honorable mention, Freestyle

Nature category

Charles Reynolds, First Place, Birds of a Feather Flock Together

Keeton Smith, Second Place, Center Piece

Hattiesburg Arts Council is pleased to welcome its new executive director, Elizabeth Henry. She has lived in Hattiesburg for nearly five years, moving with her husband to the Hub City from the Washington, D.C., area.

Since becoming a Hattiesburger in Spring 2021, Elizabeth and her husband have immersed themselves in all Hattiesburg has to offer, including the numerous arts events they have discovered.

“We like everything this wonderful little town has to offer,” she said. “There’s just lots to do. It’s hard to decide sometimes what to do. There’s a lot to love.”

Her enthusiasm is contagious. We hope to see many more Pine Belt arts lovers catch the same fever.

Elizabeth is experienced in event planning, award management and other organizational and governance skills through her work with the American Statistical Association and the American Institute of Architects.

The Louisiana native earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree in urban design from the University of Oklahoma.

Elizabeth’s first day at the helm was January 5, 2026. We will provide information about a meet-and-greet reception for Elizabeth in the near future. For now, we’re giving her time to get her feet wet and figure out her daily routine.

Thanks to all of you for your continued support of the arts and Hattiesburg Arts Council, which has been going strong for 55+ years!

All the best, Jeanne Gillespie, president, Hattiesburg Arts Council Board of Directors

Hattiesburg Arts Council welcomes new executive director