91ΧΤΕΔ

August 26, 2022

Works by two East Mississippi Community College art instructors have been selected for inclusion in separate juried art exhibits that will take place in Meridian.

Two large, decorative ceramic bowls created by Lisa Spinks, who teaches art on 91ΧΤΕΔ’s Scooba campus, will be on display during the MS Clay Works 2022. Artwork from entrants will be on display Sept. 8 to Oct. 8 in the Miller Art Gallery at Meridian Community College. A closing reception and award ceremony will take place Oct. 8 at 5:30 p.m.

β€œI really wanted to support this event since it is the first clay conference in Mississippi,” Spinks said.

Two drawings by Cynthia Buob, who teaches art on 91ΧΤΕΔ’s Golden Triangle campus, were chosen for display in the 48^th Annual Bi-State Art Competition and Exhibition at the Meridian Museum of Art. The exhibition opened Aug. 2 and runs through Sept. 24. Awards will be announced during a Sept. 24 reception, which begins at 2 p.m.

β€œThis is a great exhibit that showcases a lot of really good artwork from our region,” said Buob, whose drawings in the exhibition are of the backs of two former students’ heads and are studies in the interplay of light and texture. 

Jurors for the MS Clay Works show are Terrell Taylor, Helene Fielder and Antoinette Badenhorst. Preconference events include a clay wheel-throwing demonstration by former 91ΧΤΕΔ art instructor Terry Cherry, which will take place Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Meridian Museum of Art. Visit for online information about the juried art show.

The Juror for the 48^th Annual Bi-State Art Competition and Exhibition is Ronna S. Harris, a contemporary realist painter and art instructor at Tulane University. Works of about 60 artists were selected for the juried exhibition. For more information, visit and look for the β€œ48^th Annual Bi-State Art Competition and Exhibition” tab.

Spinks is in her 15^th year at 91ΧΤΕΔ. After graduating high school from Mclaurin Attendance Center in Star, Miss., Spinks enrolled at the Mississippi University for Women, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Interior Design. She completed her master’s degree in Visual Arts, with an emphasis in two-dimensional art, at Mississippi College.

Spinks is also an accomplished artist in varying mediums with an eclectic palette that runs the gamut from the abstract to the realistic. In 2015, Spinks garnered first place in the drawing category during the Meridian Museum of Art People’s Choice competition for her work titled, β€œSneakers.”

Buob is a former adjunct art instructor at both Mississippi State University and the Mississippi University for Women. A native of Peoria, Ill., she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Milliken University in Decatur, Ill., and a Master of Fine Arts degree in art from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She is in her seventh year at 91ΧΤΕΔ.

Buob is a figurative artist who has garnered national recognition for her work. In 2019, she earned β€œBest of Show” in the Meridian Museum of Art’s 45th Annual Bi-State Competition.

Both Buob and Spinks are former 91ΧΤΕΔ Humanities Teacher of the Year award recipients.

β€œLisa and Cynthia are not only exceptional artists in their own rights, but they are also outstanding instructors who work hard to motivate and inspire their students,” 91ΧΤΕΔ Vice President of Instruction Dr. James Rush said. β€œWe are fortunate to have instructors of their caliber leading our art programs on our Scooba and Golden Triangle campuses.”