MERIDIAN, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – The Meridian Museum of Art’s renowned Bi-State Competition and Exhibition returns this year to mark its impressive 50th anniversary. Showcasing a diverse array of artistic talent from Mississippi and Alabama, the exhibition is now open to the public, displaying selected works across the museum’s main-floor galleries.
Established as the oldest juried art competition in the region, the Bi-State Competition honors exceptional artistic achievements by artists both past and present residents of Mississippi and Alabama. This year, the competition boasts over $3,000 in awards and prizes, including prestigious accolades like the $1,000 Alliance Health Center Best of Show Award and the Charlie Busler Memorial Award.
The exhibition, curated from a competitive pool of 245 entries, features 71 works crafted by 53 talented artists. Serving as this year’s juror is Brent Funderburk, an esteemed artist and educator recognized with the MS Governor’s Award for Visual Arts and Education in 2024. With a distinguished career spanning over four decades, Funderburk’s vibrant water paintings and commitment to art education have earned him acclaim both nationally and internationally.
Among the notable Mississippi artists featured in the exhibition are Pat Abernathy, J’Marcus Alfred, Robbie Boyd, and many others, while Alabama is represented by artists including William Dooley, Lindsay Dyess, and Michelle Jones. Notably, artists from Virginia and South Carolina, such as Amie Oliver and J. Michael Simpson, also contribute their talent to this milestone exhibition.
Kate Cherry, Executive Director of the Meridian Museum of Art, expressed her enthusiasm for this year’s showcase, emphasizing the honor that artists feel upon being selected for the Bi-State Competition. Cherry invites art enthusiasts and community members to visit the museum before July 27th to view these outstanding artworks firsthand.
The exhibition will culminate with a special reception on Saturday, July 27th, from 1-3:30 p.m., where the awards will be announced at 3:00 p.m. This event provides a unique opportunity for attendees to engage with the artists and gain insights into their creative processes.
Reflecting on the enduring legacy of the Bi-State Competition, Caleb Phillips, Director of Communications and Programs at MMA, remarked, “The Bi-State show draws out the best of the South, and for it to continue now for fifty years is incredible.”
The 50th Annual Bi-State Competition and Exhibition is made possible through the generous support of various sponsors, including Sharon Busler and Rachel Busler Misenar, the Community Foundation of East
Mississippi, endowments from Alliance Health Center and the Martin and Linda Davidson Family, the City of Meridian, the Phil Hardin Foundation, the Mississippi Arts Commission, the Riley Foundation, the Paul and Sherry Broadhead Foundation and the Ernest Worker’s Circle.
For more information about the exhibition, visit the Meridian Museum of Art’s website at www.meridianmuseum.org or contact Kate Cherry at 601-693-1501. Visitors can explore the museum’s galleries from Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free admission for all.
Location: Meridian Museum of Art, 628 25th Ave, Meridian, MS
