A new art installation, “New Beginnings” by Samuel Lawson Jr., opened Jan. 9 in the Starkville Area Arts Council’s downtown gallery.
Lawson, originally from Greenville, Mississippi, graduated from Mississippi State University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in painting. He shared the meaning behind his work.
“The ‘New Beginnings’ exhibition is a series of paintings that specifically represent a point in my life. I feel I have much more ahead in terms of living life and art endeavors. I feel I have more to achieve personally and give back to the world in general,” Lawson said.
“New Beginnings” is the first Art in Public Places (AiPP) exhibit of 2023. Juliette Reid, program director for the SAAC, said AiPP began around 2006 to “provide artists with a public space to display and potentially sell their works.”
There are around six to eight shows a year as a part of this series. Submissions for the exhibits are made online; a committee of both professional artists and volunteers aid in the selection.
“The committee alternates between solo and group shows to create variety. They ensure quality, diversity and artistic excellence,” Reid said.
The exhibition series benefits artists in more than just exposure. According to a press release regarding “New Beginnings,” works from the series will be listed for sale.
“SAAC provides reception and publicity, handles the collecting and reporting of MS State Sales Taxes on behalf of the artist for any works sold while taking a substantially reduced commission (20% instead of 50% usually charged by galleries),” the press release stated.
Lawson described his work as implying “actual and implied texture on the painted surface.”
“Color, texture and overlapping transparency through layering play a major role in my abstract and realistic work,” Lawson said. “I prefer to work in acrylic, oils and watercolor.”
After graduating from MSU, Lawson decided to stay in Starkville due to his love for the campus and city, thinking of it as his “second home after (his) hometown of Greenville, Mississippi,” he said.
Lawson now serves as a member of the SAAC, and he is on the Magnolia Independent Film Festival’s board of directors. He said living in Starkville has been an enjoyable experience.
“Starkville seemed like a perfect fit for me, not being a large city and the advantages of having a university here also. I’ve made lifelong friends, established great contacts and have support for the community that supports the arts,” Lawson said.
After Lawson’s exhibit, there will be two group exhibits entitled “Spring Showcase” and “Starkville Sightings.” Submissions are still open for this show until Feb. 5 at midnight. Rules and guidelines for submissions are available on SAAC’s website.
“New Beginnings” will run until March 6 and is on display both online at starkvillearts.net and in person at 122 East Main Street.
