New Mural Trumpets Clinton and Mississippi College Partnership

Mississippi College art professor Albert Smathers on December 22 puts the finishing touches on a new mural that celebrates the MC-Clinton partnership. It is located on an exterior wall of a Clinton business.

A new mural depicts a 1955 red Chevy cruising along what used to be Highway 80 in Clinton. At the same time, a cat chases a mouse, while a Mississippi girl rides her bicycle on the road.

The mural painted on an exterior wall of a local business does more than portray a fictional scene from decades ago in this vibrant Hinds County community. It showcases the solid partnership between Clinton and Mississippi College just days before a new year begins in January.

MC art professor Albert Smathers of Raymond and several of his students painted the scene on an exterior wall of Cook Lawn & Pest Control Service at 524 East College Street. Their finished product is getting rave reviews from Mississippians.

“We’ve loved it and enjoyed watching the process,” says Teresa Davis, a secretary at the business along a portion of Clinton Boulevard. “It’s attracted a lot of attention from the public.”

A Mississippi College logo sits on the front bumper of the classic car traveling in the middle of the road. A Clinton police car turns on the blue lights and is ready to give chase. In the painted mural, Sienna Smathers, 13, a Clinton Christian Academy student and daughter of the Mississippi artist, rides her bike on the road. A turkey meanders on the Clinton street, too. The old Chevy is a nice fit because Clinton regularly hosts classic car shows.

At the site of the painted mural near the Odd Fellows Cemetery and the Clinton Water Tower, the mural speaks volumes about the extensive ties between Clintonians and Mississippi College. That relationship dates back nearly 200 years.

The mural is linked to the campaign “Celebrating Clinton: Town & Gown Since 1826.” The date refers to the year the 5,000-student university was founded as Hampstead Academy. Mississippi College remains the nation’s second oldest Baptist college. The campaign included a MC student production of the play “Our Town,” and a local Christmas concert sing-along. The effort will culminate in a summer evening’s fireworks amid Clinton’s July 4^th festivities.

From Clinton Mayor Phil Fisher to President Lee Royce, many people are on board with the year-long campaign to trumpet the growing bonds between MC and its hometown.

“Mississippi College is blessed to be part of the greater Clinton community,” says Steve Stanford, vice president for administration and government relations. “We are delighted to express our appreciation to our host city.”

With thousands of motorists driving by the mural each week, the unique piece of art spotlights Main Street Clinton’s Boulevard District in Olde Towne.

Main Street Director Tara Lytal is thrilled to see the latest piece of public art crafted by an award-winning professor and his students.

“This mural will benefit Clinton by bringing attention to this entry into a shopping district,’’ Lytal tells “The Clinton Courier” in the newspaper’s December 16 edition. In addition, the Mississippi College graduate says, “It will also bring attention to the importance of art in everyday life.”

MC art students Laura Thompson, Chris Hirsch, Josh Taylor and Haley Ethridge teamed with Smathers on the project beginning in early November. The students received academic credit for their assistance.

As Smathers worked on the finishing touches on December 22 before the rain arrived, he believes the mural speaks to the city’s history, while enhancing the scenery. “It brightens up the space here.”

Clinton city leaders are expected to add some lights to the project and join dedication ceremonies early in the new year.

There’s one more piece of business to finish. Smathers will ask his art students to offer ideas to give a title to the Clinton mural.