MCC art students compete for highest honors April 17

By By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
April 8, 2004
Meridian Community College sophomore Daniel J. White said his painting, "Adeus," the Portuguese word for "goodbye" is his farewell to art. He said now he must focus on finishing his English degree.
White, a Tutwiler native, said after graduating from MCC in the spring, he will attend Mississippi State University and follow his dream of teaching college English. But he said art will forever be a part of his life.
White's work is among more than 300 pieces that will be judged in the MCC Fine Art Student Competition on April 17. Jeffrey Haupt, associate professor of art at Mississippi State University, will judge the competition.
MCC art instructor Patricia Tenpenny said she is impressed by the amount of artistic talent shown by MCC students.
MCC student Melissa Freitas, a native of Brazil, said she became interested in art in 2001 while living in San Antonio. She will enter her painting, "Sorrow," in the student competition.
Freitas is a former elementary school teacher; she is attending school while her husband, a pilot in the Brazilian navy, receives training at Naval Air Station Meridian.
She said she believes art is the most important subject taught in schools: "It is the best subject to teach everything with. You can use art to teach math or science."
Troy Gray, a native of New Hampshire and a computer networking major, said that at 37 years old he refuses to grow up. He also said he is thrilled to be a part of the student art show.
Gray plans to enter three of his photographs in the competition.
For more information about the student art competition, call 483-8241.