Every year, the Starkville Area Arts Council hosts the Juried Arts Exhibition  which is open Sept. 18 until Oct. 20 and is on display Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The exhibition runs during the Cotton District Arts Festival, an annual one-day festival offering artists in the region a platform to promote their artistry and possibly sell their creations. During the festival, the SAAC runs the Juried Arts Exhibition out of the Mississippi State University’s Visual Arts Center, a converted house on University Drive between campus and the Cotton District.
Lori Neuenfeldt is an instructor and gallery director for the MSU department of Art Galleries. Neuenfeldt has worked with SAAC for nearly a decade, has previously served as solo chair for the Exhibition and is currently advisory co-chair.
According to Neuenfeldt, the exhibition is an opportunity for Starkville residents to celebrate regional artists and their work. Additionally, artists participating are given the chance to compete for recognition in specified categories with monetary prizes, gain publicity and sell their pieces.
“Many of the pieces are for sale,” Neuenfeldt said. “Anyone interested will just tell a gallery assistant which work they want, and they can pay with debit or with credit card.”
Dixie Boswell, exhibition coordinator for the MSU Art Galleries and member of the CDAF planning committee, echoed Neuenfeldt’s sentiments.
“From current art students to MSU Art faculty to the self-taught, all artists are welcome to participate,” Boswell said.
Neuenfeldt shared that artists submit up to three pieces via an online portal, and then the jurors, invited by the SAAC, will view in a blind judging process. The jurors then decide which works will be displayed upon the installation of the pieces in the Visual Arts Center, will visit Starkville to judge the pieces in person. From there, winners are selected from each category as first, second and honorable mentions in addition to a sole winner for “Best in Show” out of the whole exhibition.
First place winners receive a prize of $500. Second place winners receive $250. The Best in Show winner receives $750.
The exhibition lasts longer than the CDAF, which will run this year Sept. 23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Cotton District. The Juried Arts Exhibit with winners being announced Sept. 23 at 10 a.m.
Leah Wisener, a senior art major with a concentration in Graphic Design, shared Boswell and Neuenfeldt’s excitement for the exhibit.
“It is a good chance to see the variety and relent of artists in Mississippi and Starkville itself,” Wisener said.
Boswell shared advice for aspiring artists, especially those who may want to participate in next year’s exhibition. 
“Meet as many artists as possible, ask questions, show up,” Boswell said. “You’ve got to really put in the work and want it. No one is going to come find you.”
Neuenfeldt, who emphasized persistence, shared her advice as well.
“Keep making! Always keep making. Then show us your work,” Neuenfeldt said.