Magnolia Speech School Christmas Show Mural Painted by MC Art Students
Call it an early Christmas gift. Mississippi College art students put their skills to good use to paint a mural just in time for the Christmas show at the Magnolia Speech School.
Each year, students at the Jackson school (ages 2 to 12) present a Christmas show for family and friends, but that usually poses a number of obstacles for the children.
“This is a major challenge because of their disability as well as our very limited resources,” said Magnolia Speech School music instructor Lisa Goolsby.
Enter Mississippi College art professor Albert Smathers and his class of art students on the Clinton campus. In five days, they painted a Nativity scene masterpiece on a canvas that features a large camel, evening stars and much more.
“This has truly been an answer to prayer,” Goolsby said. “Because of their amazing talent and kind generosity, our students will be able to have a beautiful backdrop to present their special program.”
The artwork, she said, is something the 100-student private school can use for years to come. MC’s Art Department received word about the school’s need and quickly went to work.
“Thank you, MC art students for sharing your time and talents to help our precious children,” Goolsby said. “It is more than anything we could have asked for,” she said. “Nobody here could do it.”
Founded in 1956, the school on Flag Chapel Road on the outskirts of Clinton assists Mississippi children with hearing impairment and language or speech disorders.
The art project went smoothly. The MC undergraduates all relished the opportunity to help others as the holidays draw near. And they learned something in the process, Smathers said. “We’ve been well-thanked by the school and their board.”
MC art students participating in the mural project included: Nick Worley, Deborah Larkin, Lauren Fiegle, Meredith Smith and Zach Davis.
The Christmas programs at the Magnolia Speech School will begin at 9 a.m. on December 18-19. Admission is free.
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