Serendipity is an annual exhibit and auction featuring artwork created by participants in art classes at Mississippi State Hospital. It is an opportunity for patients and residents to see their art framed and on display, and earn some money when their art is sold during the auction. Serendipity is always held the first Thursday in September, which falls on September 5 this year. Bidding will open online August 1 at www.myminiauction.com/serendipity.
This year, the Mississippi Museum of Art (MMA) is hosting a Serendipity Sneak Peek. The Serendipity exhibit opened on Thursday, June 6th, with a special reception for the artists. Artists arrived at the museum and were greeted with an impressive display of their artwork. Each piece was hung and identified by a museum label that included the artist’s name, name of the piece, materials of the work, and a quote from the artist.
Wyatt Waters, renowned watercolor artist, made a surprise visit and viewed the entire collection of artwork. After the viewing, the artists gathered in the Community Room of the MMA for refreshments and were presented with a certificate of recognition mounted in a special Serendipity Sneak Peek folder with a photo of their artwork and personal quote printed inside. The certificates were presented by Lydia Jasper, Assistant Curator of the Permanent Collection and 35th Serendipity Guest Curator, Ceci Whitehurst, MSH Art Services Supervisor, and Ricky Shelby, MSH Art Instructor. Afterwards, Waters worked his way around the room discussing various art topics with the MSH artists.
Serendipity Sneak Peek is an ongoing event being held in conjunction with the “What Became of Dr. Smith” exhibit by Noah Saterstrom. The Serendipity Sneak Peek exhibit will be open until August 12. The “Dr. Smith” exhibit will be open until September 22.
Through the Access for All: Free First Saturdays initiative, the MMA is offering free admission to all exhibits on the first Saturday of every month until the end of 2026. This initiative is made possible through the Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program, a transformative three-year funding initiative that aims to increase access to museums across America and foster engagement with local audiences.
For more information about Serendipity Art Show and Silent Auction, contact MSH Public Relations at 601-351-8018.