Southern Miss Writing Center to Showcase Student Art in First-Ever Exhibition

Mon, 10/26/2026 - 10:22am | By: Catherine Edmonson

The University of Southern Mississippi’s Writing Center will host its 1,000 Words Visual Art Exhibition, celebrating the creativity, talent and artistic accomplishments of students in the school community.

The exhibition will be held from Nov. 2, 2026 through May 7, 2027 at the Writing Center located in Cook Library. The event will feature a diverse collection of student artwork, including painting, drawing and relief sculpture. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience the unique perspectives and creative voices of art and design students, thanks to this collaboration with the School of Performing and Visual Arts.

When Writing Center Director Jason McCormick noticed unused wall space after a redesign, he initially considered displaying student art instead of buying commercial pieces. His idea grew into the Thousand Word Project, an exhibition inviting students to submit artwork responding to the theme “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

Each selected student artist will receive a $50 prize. For McCormick, the prize money reflects his belief that student artists should be compensated for their work.

Artists are encouraged to reimagine the process of creation, whether by writing, visual art or a combination of the two. Working in collaboration with Catherine Edmonson at the Gallery of Art and Design at the School of Performing and Visual Arts, McCormick is launching the first ever exhibition in the Writing Center.

An opening reception will be held Monday, Nov. 2, from 4-6 p.m. in the Writing Center. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

For questions, contact Catherine Edmonson, Gallery director at catherine.edmonsonFREEMississippi.

About the College of Arts and Sciences 
The College of Arts and Sciences at The University of Southern Mississippi is home to 13 schools, two ROTC units, and more than 100 academic programs. Guided by the University’s mission, we educate students, lead the state and nation in research and the creative arts, and advance knowledge across the humanities, social sciences, and STEM. Through innovative research and nationally recognized student success, we provide pathways to understanding the past, solving today's challenges, and imagining the possibilities of tomorrow.