Mississippi Arts Hour

Larry visits with sculptor and ceramicist Harold Miller from Brandon. Miller talks about starting into art while growing up in Vicksburg and the influence of the neighborhood on his current work. He also explains how he has built up a clientele through years of exhibiting at art shows around the region.

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On this episode, Mississippi Poet Laureate Ann Fisher-Wirth speaks with fellow poet Danielle Sellers about the Walt Whitman poem, “I Saw in Louisiana a Live-Oak Growing.” Sellers received her MFA from the University of Mississippi, where she held the John Grisham Poetry Fellowship. She teaches at Trinity Valley School in Fort Worth, Texas.

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Larry travels to Kosciusko to catch up with Reverend Marvin Myles, Sr, the leader of the Myles Family Singers, a traditional gospel group. He talks about growing up in Friars Point, singing with his brothers and how he taught his children to sing together in their family group.

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This week on the Mississippi Arts Hour, we sit down with playwright and director Topher Payne to talk about bringing ‘The Attala County Garden Club’ to life on stage at New Stage Theatre. Known for his sharp wit and deep love of Southern storytelling, Payne shares insight into his creative process such as what drew him to this story, how he approaches directing his own work, and the unique dynamics of staging a piece so rooted in Mississippi culture and community. From page to performance, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how a playwright shapes not just the scri...

While packing his bags for Venice, Italy, Adam Trest stops to chat with David Lewis on this week’s episode of the Arts Hour. Adam and David catch up on all the many projects Adam has been up to, including a new series of works and the debut of three pieces at the Venice Biennale. They recap the many things that Adam has been up to, from licensing his work for home decor to developing a series based on his father's gardens from his childhood.

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This week on the Mississippi Arts Hour, Leslie talks with Belhaven University’s Dean of Fine Arts, Krista Bower. Krista also serves as Professor and Chair of Dance. In our conversation, Krista tells us about her personal journey as a dancer, including co-founding the Mississippi-based contemporary dance company, Front Porch Dance. She also shares information about Belhaven’s artistic offerings for both students and community members.

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This week on the Mississippi Arts Hour, Larry talks with painter and 2025-26 MAC Artist Fellowship grant recipient Rick Anderson from Clinton. They discuss his roots in the Mississippi Delta and its imprint on his work, his long career as an arts educator, and his current work with an international watercolor society.

If you enjoy listening to this podcast, please consider contributing to MPB. https://donate.mpbfoundation.org/mspb/podcast.

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This week on the Mississippi Arts Hour, we’re joined by Aimee Nezhukumatathil, an award-winning author whose work explores a deep love of the natural world and powerful examinations of identity and belonging. Known for her bestselling essay collection World of Wonders, Aimee brings her signature sense of curiosity and compassion to readers of all ages.

Her newest book, Night Owl, is a luminous collection of poetry that explores the quiet beauty of the nighttime world. Through her signature lyricism and keen eye for detail, Aimee invites readers to consider what awakens after dark—both in natu...

This week on the Mississippi Arts Hour, we sit down with Starkville-based musician Patrick Artigues to talk about his recently released EP and the creative influences behind it. Patrick offers an honest and insightful look into his artistic process from initial inspiration to final production. Listen by subscribing to the Mississippi Arts Hour podcast through your favorite podcast app or listen online at http://msartshour.mpbonline.org. If you enjoy listening to this podcast, please consider contributing to MPB.  https://donate.mpbfoundation.org/mspb/podcast.  

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Larry Morrisey travels to Greenville to talk with photographer Euphus Ruth. He has been an active photographer in the Delta for over 30 years. Ruth’s work is focused on the use of historic photographic processes, including wet plate and panoramic cameras.. If you enjoy listening to this podcast, please consider contributing to MPB.  https://donate.mpbfoundation.org/mspb/podcast.  

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Leslie Barker talks with the Director of Oxford Community Market, Betsy Chapman, and Music at the Market Director, Luke Fisher. This year-round farmers market builds community through food, music, and an extra serving of southern hospitality. Recently, the market extended a hand and hundreds of warm meals to those in need after the brutal ice storm. They share stories of how the community came together to serve one another and even lift spirits through music. If you enjoy listening to this podcast, please consider contributing to MPB.  https://donate.mpbfoundation.org/mspb/podcast.  

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Larry Morrisey talks with Nashville-based musician and author Paul Burch about Meridian Rising, his new book. It’s a fictional memoir of Jimmie Rodgers, the legendary Mississippi musician from the 1920s and 30s. The book blends historical moments with imagined scenes, creating a new consideration of Rodgers’ life and work. If you enjoy listening to this podcast, please consider contributing to MPB.  https://donate.mpbfoundation.org/mspb/podcast.  

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Larry Morrisey visits with poet Angela Ball from Hattiesburg. They talk about her beginnings as a writer and poet, her work as a professor at the University of Southern Mississippi and the themes found in Steeplechase, her new collection of poetry. If you enjoy listening to this podcast, please consider contributing to MPB.  https://donate.mpbfoundation.org/mspb/podcast.  

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Leslie Barker talks with one of MAC’s newest staff members, Emmi Sprayberry. Emmi’s documentary photography has gained international recognition. At her core, she is a storyteller who is passionate about accessibility in the arts and supporting emerging talent. Join us for our conversation about the arts in Jackson and Emmi’s new project that examines the relationship between music, community, and Mississippi’s musical legacy. To listen to the music discussed in the podcast, visit the links below.

“Use Me (Live at Carnegie Hall)” by Bill Withers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSqtPjpKb6k&list=RDfSqtPj...

David Lewis sits down with the 2026 Governor’s Arts Award recipient for Excellence in Arts Education, Dorothy "Dottie" Armstrong. Dottie is an arts educator who has developed arts programming within the Newton community. In this episode, Dottie shares stories about her upbringing, how she didn't see herself as an artist at first, and the work in her community. Listen by subscribing to the Mississippi Arts Hour podcast through your favorite podcast app, or listen online at http://msartshour.mpbonline.org/If you enjoy listening to this podcast, please consider contributing to MPB. https://donate.mpbfoundation.org/mspb/podcast.  

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Kristen Brandt sits down with Janet Reihle and Crafton Beck of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra (MSO), an institution that has shaped Mississippi’s cultural landscape for more than 80 years. The MSO is the 2026 recipient of the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Performing Arts. They talk about the orchestra’s history, its impact on communities across the state, the challenges and joys of presenting live performances, and how the MSO continues to inspire audiences through education, outreach, and innovative programming. From longtime symphony-goers to first-time listeners, this conversation highlights why the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra remains a vital pillar of Mississippi’s arts i...

Larry Morrisey visits with blues musician and Governor’s Arts Award recipient, Jesse Robinson. Robinson grew up in the Delta and came to Jackson as a teenager. He’s been playing music around the Jackson since then, including being one of the central musicians at the Subway Lounge, the legendary late-night blues spot.

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On this episode of the Mississippi Arts Hour, Leslie talks with the 2026 Governor’s Arts Award recipient for Excellence in Music Composition, Heather Christian. Heather is a composer, lyricist, playwright and performer creating music centered shows and rituals. She is a Lucille Lortel, Drama Desk, and two-time Obie Award winner. Most recently, Heather was named a MacArthur Fellow, an honor commonly known as the “Genius Grant.” 

The interview was recorded in September at the Signature Theatre in New York City where Heather is currently an artist in residence. Join us for our conversation as Heather shares stories about g...

Lauren Rhoades talks with author Kelly Foster Lundquist about her striking debut memoir titled Beard: A Memoir of a Marriage. In the book, Kelly revisits her relationship with her first husband twenty years after their divorce as she investigates the "beard" trope in literature, culture, and her own romantic life. Kelly now lives in Minnesota, but is from Yazoo City, Mississippi, and much of the book takes place in Jackson. Kelly talks about how the book took shape over twenty years of writing it, her love of old movies and pop culture, and how English literature classes changed her life. I...

In this next installment of the Favorite Poem Podcast Project hosted by Mississippi Poet Laureate, poet and memoirist Mike Smith brings us Marianne Moore’s intriguing poem “The Fish.” Please listen—and enjoy!

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Kristen Brandt talks to Keri Davis. Keri is an artist, teacher, musician, and owner of Pacesetter Gallery, which opened in Flowood in 2021. The gallery features over 60 artists from across Mississippi. Keri has hosted hundreds of events, from art classes, workshops, plein air painting competitions, and creative events for the central MS area. The gallery has been voted Best Art Gallery by Mississippi Magazine readers for the last 3 years and was honored as the Mississippi Tourism Attraction of the Year in 2024 at the Governor's Conference on Tourism.

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Larry Morrisey travels to Oxford to catch up with painter Charlie Buckley. Buckley remembers his years studying with artist and 2026 Governor’s Arts Awards recipient, Dottie Armstrong. He also explains how his “stacked houses” paintings have transformed into a long-term project for him. He’s now documenting historic buildings in communities across the state. If you enjoy listening to this podcast, please consider contributing to MPB.  https://donate.mpbfoundation.org/mspb/podcast.  

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Lauren Rhoades talks with New York Times bestselling author Ace Atkins about his new novel EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD, a rollicking comedic thriller set in 1985, in which a suburban teen suspects his mom's new boyfriend is a KGB agent. Atkins is an award-winning author of more than thirty novels and numerous short stories. A former college football player and newspaper reporter, he's a recent recipient of the Richard Wright Literary Excellence Award and a member of the Alabama Writers Hall of Fame. He lives with his wife, Angela, and two children in Oxford, Mississippi. If you enjoy listening t...

Leslie Barker talks with performer, choreographer, and director Emma Pittman. Currently, you can see Emma as Cherry Valance on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning production, The Outsiders. After winning “The Search for Roxie,” she made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago. Join us for a conversation about Emma’s journey from Mississippi to New York City stages. Emma also speaks about the expansive community it takes to create theatre and the influential years she spent at Oxford High School. If you enjoy listening to this podcast, please consider contributing to MPB.  https://donate.mpbfoundation.org/mspb/podcast.  

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Larry Morrisey travels to Oxford to talk with the writer William Boyle. Boyle published his eighth novel, ‘Saint of the Narrows Street,’ earlier this year. He tells about the influence of legendary Mississippi writer Larry Brown’s work, his use of music as a way to describe his characters, and the “small-town” culture of the Brooklyn neighborhood where his novel is set. If you enjoy listening to this podcast, please consider contributing to MPB.  https://donate.mpbfoundation.org/mspb/podcast.  

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Kristen Brandt talks to Wade Acuff. Wade is an animator and illustrator living in Brandon, Mississippi. He has worked with major studios such as Netflix, Paramount, and Nickelodeon, and been involved in the production of films including Ma, Big Bad, and the upcoming Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. His skill set is broad, ranging from illustration and concept work to 3D modeling and visual effects. If you enjoy listening to this podcast, please consider contributing to MPB.  https://donate.mpbfoundation.org/mspb/podcast.  

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Welcome to the fourth installment of the Favorite Poem Podcast series, hosted by Mississippi Poet Laureate Ann Fisher-Wirth. In this podcast, Melissa reveals the intricate complexity of H. D.’s beautiful, short Imagist poem “Oread.”  

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Kristen Brandt sits down with zine maker and National Folk Festival Folklife Area artist, Justin Ransburg. Justin is a visual artist who creates illustrations, comic books, murals, and mixed media artworks. He has created numerous murals in Jackson and statewide. They talk about his work and what attendees of the National Folk Festival can expect to see in his booth in the Folklife area. If you enjoy listening to this podcast, please consider contributing to MPB.  https://donate.mpbfoundation.org/mspb/podcast.  

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Larry Morrisey visits with bluesman John Primer, one of the featured musicians at the National Folk Festival in Jackson, November 7-9. A native of Camden, Mississippi, Primer has been an important part of the Chicago blues scene since the early 1970s. He has worked with a “who’s who” list of blues legends, including Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, and Magic Slim. Primer has led his own band since the 1990s. His latest CD, ‘Grown in Mississippi,’ features guest appearances by a number of contemporary Mississippi blues artists, including Charlie Musselwhite, Bobby Rush, and Eden Brent. If you enjoy listening to this podca...

Leslie Barker talks with Lucie Wren Cooper and Tyler Tadlock. Individually, they are multidisciplinary artists. Together, they are the Jackson-based music duo, Sad Bath. Lucie and Tyler discuss the inspiration they find in Mississippi, the importance of community and collaboration, and their process of creating across disciplines. If you enjoy listening to this podcast, please consider contributing to MPB.  https://donate.mpbfoundation.org/mspb/podcast.  

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In this third episode of the Favorite Poem Podcast Project, hosted by Mississippi Poet Laureate Ann Fisher-Wirth, Beth Ann Fennelly reads and discusses Shakespeare’s beautiful sonnet 29, “When, in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes.” 

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MAC Executive Director, David Lewis, chats with author John T. Edge to discuss his new book, House of Smoke. They also discuss Southern culture, John T's show "True South," and their shared work with South Arts, as well as the literary magnet that is Oxford, MS. If you enjoy listening to this podcast, please consider contributing to MPB.  https://donate.mpbfoundation.org/mspb/podcast.  

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Leslie Barker talks with writer and teacher, Catherine Simone Gray. An Emerging Writer in Roxane Gay’s The Audacity, her work has been published in The Bitter Southerner and The Michigan Quarterly Review: Mixtape. Catherine is the creator of the blog Unsilenced Woman and recently released her first book, PROUD FLESH: A MEMOIR OF MOTHERHOOD, INTIMATE VIOLENCE, AND RECLAIMING PLEASURE. In the interview, Catherine will discuss how she came to write this book, her creative process, and what it means to be a Mississippi writer.

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David Lewis sits down with Landon Bryant to discuss his new book "Bless Your Heart". They talk about his journey as a social media personality and guru of Southern culture. Bryant shares his past work as an educator with the Mississippi Whole Schools program and talks about his current and future work moving into stand-up comedy. If you enjoy listening to this podcast, please consider contributing to MPB.  https://donate.mpbfoundation.org/mspb/podcast.  

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Lauren Rhoades talks with author Addie E. Citchens about her widely acclaimed debut novel DOMINION, a searing family drama set in the Mississippi Delta. Citchens is a Clarksdale native who now lives in New Orleans. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker, The Paris Review, and Oxford American's "Best of the South." Citchens writings on blues history have been featured in Mississippi Folklife. On the Arts Hour, Citchens discusses how her Mississippi upbringing shaped her writing, the experience of publishing her first novel, and the writers and artists who have influenced her work. If you enjoy listening to this...

This is the second installment of the Favorite Poem Podcast Series hosted by Mississippi Poet Laureate Ann Fisher-Wirth, featuring C. Liegh McInnis reading and discussing a poem by Margaret Walker.

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Larry Morrisey talks with Hattiesburg-based photographer Betty Press. A Nebraska native, Press has lived in Mississippi for over 20 years. She has photographed throughout the state. Over the summer she was a featured artist in the biennial exhibition of Mississippi artists at the Mississippi Museum of Art. If you enjoy listening to this podcast, please consider contributing to MPB.  https://donate.mpbfoundation.org/mspb/podcast.  

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The Mississippi Arts Hour goes international for this week's episode. Executive Director David Lewis is talking all about the Venice Architecture Biennale and speaking with Mississippi State University President Mark Keenum. At the American Pavilion of the Venice Biennale, MSU's two design research centers are on display, for the first time in the university's history. David interviews both centers' directors - Leah Kemp with the Fred Carl Jr. Small Town Center and David Perkes with the Gulf Coast Community Design Center - about the process of being featuring in the "Olympics of Architecture" and what approach each center took to...

Kristen Brandt talks to Rae Nell Vaughn of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and Jay Wesley, Director for the Department of Chahta Immi, as well as anthropologist and professor Tom Mould. They have collaborated on two related publications that represent some of the most comprehensive collections of Choctaw histories, stories, and traditions ever compiled into print. They discuss the two publications, Choctaw Tales and Choctaw Traditions. If you enjoy listening to this podcast, please consider contributing to MPB.  https://donate.mpbfoundation.org/mspb/podcast.  

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Leslie Barker talks with theatre artists, John and Diana Howell. They are two of the founding members of Fondren Theatre Workshop. Since its inception in 2003, Fondren Theatre Workshop has been committed to being not just a community theater, but a theater community. John and Diana talk about how it all started and some of the most memorable productions throughout the years. To name just a few of those productions – AVENUE Q, THE WINTER’S TALE, ASSASSINS, DINNER WITH FRIENDS, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, and premiers of many brand-new works. They also fill us in on the upcoming return of the 24-Hour...