The fine-art students of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) Jefferson Davis campus in Gulfport, Mississippi created works of art in conjunction with the Black History Month celebrations taking place throughout the campus. Student paintings and drawings featuring famous African-Americans throughout history were placed on display in the Jefferson Davis Library throughout the month of February 2020.

Visual Arts faculty member, Cecily Cummings stated, “The students of the classes, Painting II and Drawing II, are studying portraiture this semester, and Black History Month has been the perfect opportunity for them to practice drawing the face”.

Cummings added that students were also able to share personal experiences with some of the subjects, stating that “after seeing a classmate’s drawing of Malcolm X, another student revealed that he had known Malcolm when he was a young man. Though he [Malcolm] is best known as a passionate human rights activist, the student remembered him as quiet and reflective.” 

Fine Arts student Morgan Dingman of Gulfport chose to portray Jimi Hendrix. “I wanted to have a very colorful experience for the viewer. I approached painting this piece with an extremely delicate hand and an airy layering of colors. I wanted to capture as much of Jimi's essence in this watercolor portrait as possible,” Dingman said.

In regards to the partnership between MGCCC’s Fine Arts Department and the Jefferson Davis Library, Cecily Cummings stated “The library has been a great advocate for the arts, displaying works by students year-round.”

Submitted by
Shake DeLozier

Librarian

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

Painting by Morgan Dingman
MGCCC student painting featuring Jimi Hendrix