Francis Lee reveals how emotions surface in art with Jones College students
ELLISVILLE – During Hattiesburg author and artist Francis Lee’s “Art Talk” with Jones College art majors and the art community, she revealed how she visually represents her emotions on canvas. Using her works of art currently on display in the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery at 91ÁÔĆć as examples, Lee shared how she layers quotes and colors in her designs as a way of expressing her emotions while painting.
“Because we are very complicated people, each layer of my art represents a part of our human condition, from the inward, the soul, the emotion, into the way that we think, and then obviously outwardly how we present ourselves to the world. I felt like each piece should be telling a story of an individual person,” explained Lee. “I want you to be drawn into the piece and look and wonder what that person is feeling, and what was that person thinking and then think about, what was that person’s life and history as you come upon each painting.”
Lee said she often listens to music while creating, which can influence her art. One example of layering her emotions is reflected in the mixed media artwork, “Resistance” which is part of her exhibit, “Feelings: An Exploration in Texture, Memory and Figurative Abstraction,” currently on display at 91ÁÔĆć through March 12, 2026.
“There’s a piece of the music I was listening to that kind of went into my work. The idea of resistance and struggle being beautiful, was interesting to me,” said Lee. “It’s easy to paint flowers and beautiful things but to find the beauty in things that maybe most people wouldn’t see as beautiful, that intrigues me.”
Another lesson Lee wanted students to learn from her Art Talk was the fact that while technical skills are important to creating art, without expression, there’s something missing.
“There has to be some expression in there, a piece of yourself. I feel like a piece of me goes into literally everything that I do. So, if you’re not putting yourself into the work, then what’s the point?” Lee said.
Every work begins through an intuitive, non-representational process. Layers of collage and modeling paste establish the physical foundation, followed by paint, fragments of journal writing, ink, and additional collage, allowing the work to move from raw abstraction toward refined detail. This gradual buildup mirrors the way emotions and memories accumulate, shift, and reveal themselves over time.
Adding texture, like letters, numbers, and asemic writing appear throughout the surface of Lee’s art as traces of thought, memories, and internal dialogue. These marks suggest what is remembered, forgotten, hidden, or unresolved. Human figures or fragments of the body emerge like ghosts. Through the interplay of material, mark, and form, Lee explained, engages with emotional paradoxes such as joy and grief, vulnerability and resilience, presence and absence. Rather than offering fixed narratives, the work invites viewers to bring their own experiences into the encounter.
For more information about upcoming JC art shows or to arrange a visit to the gallery call 601-477-8401. The Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery is open Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., and by appointment only on Fridays. The gallery is closed during the holidays. To learn more about the Jones College Art Department, /programs/finearts/ or the JC Art Department’s social media: Facebook page, and on Instagram .
Jones College English instructor Tim Morris & student Emily Daigle named William Winter Scholars
ELLISVILLE – Jones College English instructor, Tim Morris and sophomore English major, Emily Daigle of Seminary have been selected as William Winter Scholars and will be attending the Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration (NLCC). They will be joining several dozen outstanding Humanities Division students, faculty members, and professionals from Mississippi’s universities, colleges, and community colleges will be honored as William Winter Scholars at the Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration, February 26-28, 2026.
Daigle was nominated by Morris as someone who stood out as an English major with great interest in the subject matter. Additionally, she has performed very well in all of her classes and excels in all English courses especially.
“This honor represents the physical embodiment of my hard work as a student and the hard work of the teachers who have helped me to get this award,” said Daigle. “Being a William Winter Scholar basically feels like a pat on the back for past dedication and an encouraging boost for future prospects. I am looking forward to meeting other students and faculty receiving this honor. I honestly believe the best part of most experiences is the conversations you get to have with different people.”
Ironically, Daigle’s mother, Christine was selected as a William Winter Scholar when she was attending Mississippi College. While she was not able to attend that conference as a student, she will be joining her daughter Emily in Natchez to celebrate her selection to the prestigious Humanities honor.
“So even though she didn’t get to experience NLCC while she was in college, she’s going to experience one with me which makes this honor even more special,” said Emily Daigle.
Each Winter Scholar is chosen by his or her educational institution as the Humanities Division’s most outstanding student, faculty member, or professional. This award allows winners to attend most of the NLCC free of charge. The annual award also carries with it prestige and public acknowledgment of how highly the person is regarded by his or her institution. Winners are honored publicly at the opening and closing sessions, in printed materials, and in publicity.
“Mr. Morris recently created a new Films for Humanities class (started Fall 2025) that lends itself so well into this literary and cinematic celebration,” said Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Julie Atwood. “He is so well respected amongst students and his colleagues and is also considered our English pathway lead faculty member. He is an excellent representative for Jones in this capacity.”
Morris, who has been teaching at JC for the last 13 years, is looking forward to meeting humanities colleagues and students from other institutions at the Natchez conference in addition to being recognized as a William Winter Scholar.
“I am passionate about teaching in the humanities, so being recognized as a William Winters Faculty Scholar for my work in this field is especially meaningful to me. Now more than ever, the humanities should take center stage in our educational programs, as they foster connection and remind us of our shared humanity,” said Morris.
The Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration program Morris and Daigle will be attending is called, “Stories of American Freedom,” focused on the founding of America to today, as told by expert historians and prolific authors. Each author will share a different piece of the history of the struggles and successes of America’s leaders, protestors and heroes; the stories that make us who we are as Americans today. Each author’s stories offer hope and resilience and are the stories of perseverance and bravery by ordinary people who took a stand and fought hard for the freedoms that we enjoy today. Headlining the event is Dr. Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, who is a professor of constitutional law, a civil rights attorney, an author, a playwright and a legal commentator.
Jones College hosts Spring Blood Drive
ELLISVILLE – Jones College is inviting the public to join students, faculty and staff and participate in the annual Spring Blood Drive with Vitalant on Monday, February 23, in the Mobile Unit at the Industrial Services Center from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. The blood drive will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 24 and 25, inside the new Dr. Robert C. Robbins Hospital Simulation Center, located behind the Allied Health Center Building from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
“Giving blood is one of the simplest ways to give back, and one of the most powerful. In less than an hour, you can change someone’s life and walk away knowing you made a real difference. I encourage everyone to step up, be counted, and feel what it means to serve your community,” said Dean, School of Health Sciences, Dr. Benji Sessums, Ph.D., NR-P. “When you give blood, you are not just filling a need, you are answering a call to serve. That kind of giving stays with you long after the donation is done.”
Donors will be eligible to win door prizes, goodies, and gift cards. To pre-register, make an appointment at or call 877-25-VITAL. Use the blood drive code: JC1. Additionally, Vitalant is offering a $15 gift card if donors use the code, GIVELOVE-2026-V when scheduling an appointment.
“Giving blood is a small act with a lasting impact. It is a chance to show up for your community and leave knowing you did something that truly mattered,” said Sessums.
The overall goal for the three-days is 90 units of blood stated Sessums.
Artists give demonstration on creating ceramic art at 91ÁÔĆć
ELLISVILLE – Jones College art students and those interested in the creation of art enjoyed a special demonstration by two artists, Jeff Brown and Benjie Heu in the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery on campus. The art instructors’ collection of ceramic sculptures and stonework pottery has been on display at the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery for the last month. Students learned how Heu builds his unique characters out of clay and molds the parts together before adding intricate designs, bringing his creatures to life. Heu is a Professor of Art and Ceramics and has been teaching since 2005 at Southeast Missouri State University, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. His ceramic figures are creatively sculpted and then colored with illustrations using multiple techniques.
Also demonstrating his pottery skills was Jeff Brown who has been teaching art for more than 30 years, beginning at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. He has been an Associate Professor of Art at Nicholls State University in Thibodeaux, Louisiana for the last 23 years. Additionally, Brown also codirects the Ameen Art Gallery and is co-advisor for the University Ceramics Club. He showed students how he manipulates the clay on the pottery wheel to create his large pieces of work.
For more information about upcoming JC art shows or to arrange a visit to the gallery call 601-477-8401. The Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery is open Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., and by appointment only on Fridays. The gallery is closed during the holidays. To learn more about the Jones College Art Department, /programs/finearts/ or the JC Art Department’s social media: Facebook page, and on Instagram .
Jones College’s Dr. Caleb Smith named Mississippi Humanities Teacher of the Year
ELLISVILLE – Jones College Geography and History instructor Dr. Caleb Smith was honored as the Mississippi Humanities Teacher of the Year by the Mississippi Humanities Council (MHC) which recognizes excellence in humanities instruction across the state. Smith was honored for this accomplishment during a campus presentation where he delivered a lecture titled, “How the School of Popular Culture Unites, Divides and Shapes Our Perceptions.” The presentation examined how film, television, music, and digital media influence understanding, identity, and historical memory. He will join 29 other faculty members statewide in Jackson, on March 20 at the MHC’s annual banquet honoring the state’s Humanities Teacher of the Year recipients.
“Popular culture is often the first exposure people have to history, geography, or social issues,” Smith said. “Movies, television shows, and social media shape how students think long before they ever walk into a classroom.”
During his presentation, Smith explained how popular culture can create shared experiences that bring people together, while also reinforcing stereotypes, spreading misinformation, or deepening divisions. Using examples ranging from classic films to viral Internet trends, Smith encouraged students to question what they consume and remain open to learning beyond first impressions.
“I see students come in with ideas about history shaped by movies or television,” Smith said. “Those depictions aren’t always accurate, but they give us a starting point for meaningful conversations.”
Rachel Lott, the MHC Communications Manager, said Smith exemplifies the mission of the council to promote thoughtful engagement with the humanities.
“Each year, the Mississippi Humanities Council honors educators who demonstrate the vital role the humanities play in creating informed and engaged citizens,” Lott said. “Dr. Smith’s passion, creativity, and ability to connect with students make him a standout educator, as well as this year’s recipient as Humanities Teacher of the Year at 91ÁÔĆć.”
As part of the award, Smith received a cash prize and will be recognized alongside other honorees from colleges and universities statewide during a ceremony in Jackson this spring. Smith said the recognition reflects the collaborative environment at 91ÁÔĆć.
“This honor means a lot to me because there are so many incredible educators here,” Smith said. “I work with some of the best people, and I’m grateful for the support of the administration, faculty, and staff. I’m living the dream and doing exactly what I wanted to do since I was 13 years old.”
Smith advised the audience to be more aware of how our culture shapes us and how it’s always changing. He encouraged the audience to learn and change with the culture, but he also cautioned that cultural influences are not always positive.
“The humanities help us understand who we are and where we come from,” Smith said. “If we’re willing to stay curious and teachable, culture doesn’t just shape us, we can help shape it too. The biggest takeaway from this is that we should not just let the world around us dictate what we should do or how we should feel. Each individual should determine their own path and beliefs. You can always change the world around you.”
Smith has taught at 91ÁÔĆć since 2008, beginning his career in Adult Education before joining the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in 2020. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University and both a master’s degree and doctorate from The University of Southern Mississippi. His academic work focuses on cultural geography and history, with an emphasis on the American South.
Beyond the classroom, Smith serves as president of the Jones College Faculty Staff Association and advises the college’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter. He is also active in community outreach, frequently presenting historical lectures to local schools and organizations, including several presentations at the Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Division of the Association of American Geographers.