The Fine Arts Department at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Harrison County Campus’s and the Gulfport School District’s Gifted Program have collaborated for the “Through Our Eyes” art exhibit, which represents work from second- through sixth-grade Gifted Education students at Anniston Avenue Elementary School.

“In November 2022, I represented MGCCC as a guest speaker for the second- and third-grade Gifted Education classes, also known as “Quest,” at Anniston Avenue Elementary,” said Cecily Cummings, MGCCC fine arts instructor.  “While there, I discussed careers in art with the enthusiastic young artists and led them through a portrait project concerning personal and cultural identity.  Those projects, along with other works created in the district’s gifted program, are now on display in the Harrison County Campus Fine Art Gallery.”

The show runs March 6-17, with a reception on March 9, 5-7 p.m.

The purpose of the artwork was to provide students with an opportunity to experience culture and to envision what it’s like to be an artist.

“Quest provides gifted children with an opportunity to discover their strengths and aids them in the process of becoming lifelong learners and productive members of society,” said Quest teacher LaKeisha Jones.

Cummings added, “I’ve really enjoyed having the opportunity to work with these creative students. They have been so eager to learn more about art and create their own masterpieces. It’s so important to get children engaged in the fine arts at an early age, and I hope participating in this art show is something they’ll always remember.”

Gallery hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

The Harrison County Campus is located at 2226 Switzer Road in Gulfport.  The Fine Art Gallery is located in the Fine Arts building, building D.

For more information, contact gallery director Cecily Cummings at cecily.cummings@mgccc.edu or 228.897.3909.