Mississippi College Art Graduate Student Jasmine Cole Receives Honor

Jasmine Cole says she’s truly honored to have her creative watercolor painting recognized at the Mississippi Museum of Art’s inaugural Juried Art Competition in Jackson.

A graduate student seeking a master’s in fine arts at Mississippi College, Cole is among 36 artists from around the Magnolia State invited to the competition in early April. Their art pieces will be used in a silent auction to raise funds for the museum on South Lamar Street.

Art pieces considered include photography, sculpture, mixed media, pottery, textiles, paintings and jewelry. Artists are invited to the April in Paris Gala and view the selected works on display at the Mississippi Museum of Art on the evening of April 5. Their works will stay on display through June 2.

"It is truly an honor for my work to be selected for inclusion in this inaugural juried competition and auction,"  says Cole, 27, a 2009 University of Mississippi graduate with bachelor's degrees in print journalism and studio art. The Jackson native is a 2004 graduate of St. Joseph Catholic School in Madison.

Working as a newsletter editor, photographer and public relations staffer for the Mississippi Department of Corrections in Jackson, Cole also serves as a graduate instructor in the Mississippi College Art Department. The Flowood resident earned her masters of art degree at MC in 2010.

Mississippi College Art Department professors are delighted to see Cole’s work recognized and now competing for major awards at the April in Paris Gala, including Best in Show. The Best in Show winner will receive $1,000 from the Mississippi Museum of Art. Recipients of the Rembrandt Society and New Collection Club awards each will receive $500.

"Jasmine Cole is a fine student and is now finishing her degree," says MC art professor Steve Cook. "She has shown her talents both as a student and as a hard-working professional designer, and she has supported both roles very well."

After earning her MFA at MC, Cole looks forward to teaching and working in a field that combines art with technology and visual media.

But the Mississippian is eager to be in the select company of outstanding students and faculty artists at the April in Paris Gala. The three dozen artists come from institutions including Jackson State University, the University of Southern Mississippi, Delta State University, Millsaps College, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and Ole Miss.

"This is an exciting opportunity and I feel blessed to be part of such a prestigious event," Cole said.

For more information, go to www.msmuseumart.org.