Arts Organizations
Meridian Council for the Arts
The Meridian Council for the Arts (MCA) enriches the lives of more than 60,000 Meridian area residents each year.
Founded in 1978 as the City of Meridian and Lauderdale County's official arts agency, MCA makes the arts accessible to children as well as adults and seniors, through a variety of arts-related programs, events and classes.
Research studies prove that by providing early arts programs, minds can be opened, spirits renewed and revelations embraced. Through arts instruction, children's test scores increase and dropout rates decrease. Violence is minimized and the workforce is enhanced.
The arts beautify our city, show we care about who we are as citizens and contribute to how we develop as a community.
Each year the Meridian Council for the Arts hosts an Art Auction & Dinner and the Threefoot Festival. Every fall the Meridian Council for the Arts provides Lauderdale County organizations and individuals the opportunity to apply for an art grant.
http://www.meridianarts.org
Meridian Museum of Art
Since its opening in 1970, the Meridian Museum of Art has served the people of Meridian, East Mississippi and West Alabama as the region's premier public museum. Housed in a nationally listed landmark building, the museum offers more free programming than any other museum in the state, with over thirty exhibitions annually. These range from traditionally decorative arts to ethnographic and tribal materials, photography, crafts and artworks by contemporary Mississippi and Alabama artists. These regional artists are also featured in the growing permanent collection, along with a fine collection of 18th- and 19th-century English portraits, 20th-century American photography, sculpture, works on paper and contemporary decorative arts. Special classes and programs encourage participation by the Meridian Community College, as well as city and county schools in Lauderdale County and the entire bi-state area. Open Wednesday - Saturday 11a.m. - 5 p.m. and Tuesdays by appointment. Admission is free.
From I-20/59 take the 22nd Avenue exit to downtown Meridian. Turn left on 8th Street to 25th Avenue. Turn left; go one block.
628 25th Avenue
Meridian, MS 39302
601-693-1501
http://www.meridianmuseum.org
Meridian Symphony Orchestra
This professional association of musicians provides the city of Meridian and surrounding areas with quality symphonic musical experiences. They include classic symphony concerts and events incorporating other performing arts such as jazz, opera, Broadway music and ballet. The MSO has a 36-year tradition of integrity and excellence.
P.O. Box 2171
Meridian, MS 39302
601-693-2224
http://www.meridiansymphonyorchestra.com
The Meridian Children's Chorus
The Meridian Children's Chorus is an independent, non-profit community arts organization founded and organized in 1995. They have performed as a regular part of The Meridian Council for the Arts' Arts in the Park Festival and in concert with Meridian's Youth Orchestra Upbeat!, and Meridian Symphony Orchestra locally. They have also performed in Carnegie Hall twice, in Canada with the Canadian Children's Chorus and in the Canterbury Cathedral in London. The founder and director of Meridian Children's Chorus is Vivian Hurley, 601-693-7910.
Ronald R. Miller Gallery
This gallery at Meridian Community College (MCC) is named in honor of Ronnie Miller, an instructor of theater and speech and longtime supporter of the arts at MCC and in the Meridian community. The Miller Gallery hosts annually six exhibits of varying art and artists from Mississippi and throughout the United States. The gallery is a teaching extension of the MCC Fine Arts Department and the community. Curator for the gallery is John Marshall.
Meridian Community College
910 Highway 19 North
Meridian, MS 39301
601-484-8647
Arts & Letters Series
Meridian Community College regularly hosts a variety of plays, lectures and musical events. For more information, contact Arts and Letters Program Coordinator? Leia Hill at lhill@mcc.cc.ms.us.
Meridian Community College Foundation?
910 Highway 19 North
Meridian, MS 39307?
601-484-8696
http://www.mcc.cc.ms.us/artsnletters
St. Paul's Chamber Music
The St. Paul's Chamber Music Series features “brown-bag” concerts with different artists at each concert. The free concerts are held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and start at 12:05 p.m. and end at 12:50 p.m. Bring your own brown-bag lunch.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
1116 23rd Avenue
Meridian, MS 39301
601-693-2501
Meridian Little Theatre
Meridian Little Theatre, the state's largest subscription community theatre, is located on Highway 39 North in a theatre building that is second to none. MLT produces four regular plays and one youth play each year. Season tickets are sold each year but a limited number of individual play tickets are often available. The theatre "Green Room" is available for rent for receptions and parties except when a play is being performed. Contact MLT for season ticket, play, try-out and Green Room rental information.
Meridian Little Theatre
P.O. Box 3157
Meridian, MS 39303
601-482-6371
http://www.meridianlittletheatre.com
Upbeat!
Upbeat! was reactivated in June 2002 after a two year period of inactivity when there was no director. Rather than limiting the members of the reactivated Upbeat! to area youth, it is now a true community organization that is open to those of any age who want to learn to play a stringed instrument and perform with the orchestra. The current members range in age from 6 to 58 and there are people on the waiting list to begin instruction. The new purpose of the organization is to offer individuals an opportunity to learn to play a stringed instrument as well as participate in a group that performs throughout the community. The group ranges from beginning students to those who have played previously in symphony orchestras. The less experienced players learn from those who are more knowledgeable. Weekly classes and orchestra rehearsals are held at Peavey Melody Music. The following 5 groups meet weekly for one hour of instruction: Beginners I, II, and III, Intermediate I and Advanced. Rehearsals are held for two hours each week for all members.
Wechsler
The Wechsler Community Arts Center Association is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to restoring and renovating the historical building known as Wechsler.
Wechsler is the first brick building built in the State of Mississippi with bond money to provide the opportunity to African American children to get an education all the way through to a high school degree. Wechsler has played an important role in the development of thousands of students who have gone through its portals. Many have become lawyers, doctors, teachers and other professionals. It is important to restore this historical building because it can play a vital role in the restoration of a once thriving neighborhood. It can also restore the pride that once permeated the area. This building will offer a showcase of historical value when tourists visit our city. The building is already the home to many art and cultural programs for the neighborhood and city. For more information contact Jesse Brewster, 601-483-4410.
Young People of Praise (YPOP)
Based in Meridian, Young People of Praise (YPOP) is a contemporary gospel choir prepared to deliver spiritually profound musical presentations to young people across the globe.
YPOP, a national recording choir, has been in existence over seven years. It was founded by William Myles. The choir is made up of 30 young people from different backgrounds and locations. They travel throughout the state of Mississippi and southern regions of the United States, providing a message of hope and inspiration to many young people.
After a little more than seven years together, still utilizing music and dance as their methodology, William Myles and YPOP will join the ranks of many other successful gospel recording artists who have chosen to carry the torch illuminating the message of God. They are currently awaiting the national release of their live debut album.
Contact William Myles at 601-693-9648 for more information.
Barber Shop Chorus
The Barber Shop Chorus was established in 2000 at Central United Methodist Church. The Chorus has 20 active members ranging in age from 13 to 87 years. They perform 15 or more times a year. Their performances are for civic clubs, churches and private parties. The Barber Shop Chorus makes donations to Hope Village for Children and other organizations in the community as well as participating in events that benefit local organizations. They are always looking for new members. Auditions are held from time to time to solicit new members. All of their music is performed a cappella. For information, contact director Ken Patterson at 601-485-4113, or manager Billy Melton at 601-485-2312.
Wesley Belles
The Wesley Belles are "singing ambassadors" for Wesley House Community Center Inc. They strive to bring help for those in need through donations made to this ministry and in turn offer musical programs that are both inspiring and uplifting to the human spirit. All donations go directly to services for the less fortunate.
The Wesley Belles have recorded two CDs and donate all proceeds from their sales to the Wesley House. Community service is important to the Wesley Belles. They sing for children in the hospital, shut-ins and residents at Aldersgate Retirement Community. For more information contact Ginger Stevens, 601-485-4736.