Local female artists featured in Commons

The Cook Library Learning Commons Gallery at the University of Southern Mississippi is currently showcasing the exhibit “Reveal,” which features art from a local group, 10 of 10 Women.

Consisting of 24 pieces of art from the ten members of the group, “Reveal” displays an array of different art styles and mediums, ranging from sculptures to photography. The art will be displayed until Feb. 15.

The pieces as a whole reflect many different aspects of life. The face of the exhibit, “A Calamitous Day” by Heidi Pitre, portrays not just what stress looks like, but also what it feels like with a not-so subtle background clue. Many of the other pieces seem less interested in exploring ideas and concepts; instead, the pictures capture a moment in time with all the feelings of living that moment in context. While there are a few outliers, such as Miranda Grieder’s architectural sketches and Barbara-Ann Carver-Hunt’s celebrations of mythological concepts who seem to be trying different things, the group is very content welcoming the viewer into a moment or period of their lives. This sense is best embodied in “The Calendar” by Kim Whitt, art education director of the Mississippi Arts Commission. It is perhaps the most noticeable piece in the gallery due to its size and unique materials.

“I envisioned this piece as a marking and record of what people went through daily,” Whitt said.

Inspired by Native American art, Whitt used small sticks and twigs and marked them to represent the events of the day. One example given is a blue mark that represents a positive event.

This event is 10 of 10 Women’s second showing. Betty Press, photographer and founder of 10 of 10 Women, is looking to the future and is excited for what’s in store for the group.

“We are hoping to have our work displayed in more places around Hattiesburg and around Mississippi,” Press said.

The exhibit was put together by Jan Siesling, the exhibition coordinator for USM libraries. After viewing 10 of 10 Women’s first gallery, Siesling did not hesitate to invite them to the USM exhibition. Siesling uses this space for a variety of exhibits. The exhibitions, which are often used for student projects during the fall and spring semesters, are very time consuming, according to Siesling.

“I created that space in order to organize shows quickly,” Siesling said. “Museums are much heavier projects that require you have to plan months or even years ahead.”

Siesling said most museums cater to certain styles of arts or specific artists, usually those that are more experienced. Due to the small size of his space, however, he is able to focus on newer and local art.