The “Made in Jackson” Art Show opened September 5th as more than an exhibition. It was a love letter to the city of Jackson and the people who give it life. Held at the historic Patton House & Gallery, 512 N State St., Jackson, the show was both a tribute and a reflection. For me, it was about honoring the city in which I grew up, the city that continues to shape who I am.
“‘Made in Jackson’ is a tribute to the many faces, voices, and lives that make this city what it is,” I explained on opening night. “Each portrait in the collection tells a story. Of building, surviving, creating, and belonging.” Unlike many shows spotlighting celebrity or status, “Made in Jackson” shifts the lens toward presence. It celebrates the teachers, artists, elders, organizers, dreamers, and everyday people forming the heartbeat of Jackson. These are the faces making my hometown special.
The exhibit invited guests into more than just a gallery space. It offered an experience designed to engage, inspire, and spark conversation. Visitors explored an Activation Room, an interactive space featuring a “Living Wall” where they could contribute their own reflections on what it means to be “Made in Mississippi.”…