By Sereena Henderson

Mississippi Today

Philip Jackson of Oxford is the 2016 recipient of the Jane Crater Hiatt Artist Fellowship, the Mississippi Museum of Art announced Wednesday. He receives a $15,000 grant.

Jackson is an associate professor of arts at the University of Mississippi, where he leads the painting program. His artwork belongs to permanent collections of art museums in Evansville and Fort Wayne, Ind.; Huntsville, Ala.; and the Mississippi Arts Commission in Jackson.

To qualify for the grant, an artist must already have been selected to have their work on exhibit in the 2016 Mississippi Invitational. A panel of jurors selected Jackson among 17 other qualifying artists.

Before receiving the fellowship funds, Jackson had to demonstrate how the award could help influence and support his creativity going forward.

“Overlooked and commonplace objects are suspended in a single moment,” Jackson said in a statement. “Imbued with a human-like presence, these inanimate objects seem as though they have been having a conversation long before our approach to the picture.”

Award recipients are encouraged to put the grant money toward future projects, studies, equipment, travel and personal artistic development. Jackson plans to apply for the Ballinglen Arts Foundation Residency in Ballycastle, Ireland.

“We’re honored to share Jane Hiatt’s vision and commitment to Mississippi artists through this prestigious fellowship,” said Betsy Bradley, director of the Mississippi Museum of Art. “Because of her generosity, Hiatt fellows have the opportunity to travel the globe, evolve their art practices and bring exciting new ideas and aesthetics back to the state.”

For more information about upcoming events, including a reception and panel discussion, visit www.msmuseumart.org.