Art

Lexus Giles

amw1419 — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 13:26:49 +0000

Lexus Giles amw1419 Thursday, October 30, 2025 - 8:26 am Alumni

By Ainsley Weems | MSU Communication Student Class of 2026

For Lexus Giles, choosing 91��ý State University was about more than academics. It was about finding a community that nurtured her love for art.

“What made me fall in love [with MSU] was how friendly people were,” Giles said. “It felt like home, and it felt like family.”

Initially planning to become a secondary school art teacher, Giles’s professors inspired her to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in sculpture, ceramics, and mixed media. During her studies, she earned recognition at the 91��ý Collegiate Arts Competition for her metalwork Silenced and completed an artist residency at the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, deepening her connection to landscape and memory.

After two years teaching high school art, Giles followed her passion for studio practice and earned her Master of Fine Arts

in ceramics from the University of Florida in 2023. There, she received the Grinter Fellowship for academic excellence and expanded her work into performance, video, and projection-based art.

Her practice explores lineage and identity through clay, wood, and found materials, especially the face jug, a symbol of African American resilience reimagined in a contemporary context.

Giles’s growing acclaim includes receiving the 2024 Lilian Fellowship from the Archie Bray Foundation in Montana, one of the world’s top ceramic residencies. This opened her up to her current Simone Leigh Fellowship, which supports her exploration of lineage, identity, and material memory.

Her solo exhibition, Record Keeper: Testament to Resilience, is available for public viewing through Nov. 21, 2025, at MSU’s Old Main Gallery. She also curated Black Space in Gainesville, Florida, and has exhibited nationwide.

Reflecting on her journey, Giles said, “Accept rejection, work hard, have fun. Choose what you love, because the money will come.”

From her beginnings at MSU to national recognition, Lexus Giles continues to embody creativity, resilience, and community.

Art

William "Donovan" Weathers II

amw1419 — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 21:54:09 +0000

William "Donovan" Weathers II amw1419 Monday, October 20, 2025 - 4:54 pm Alumni

By Ainsley Weems | MSU Communication Student Class of 2026

At 91��ý State’s 91��ý, William “Donovan” Weathers II discovered how to merge his love of digital media with the discipline of painting. Originally drawn to art through technology and the digital visuals of early 2000s culture, he entered MSU eager to strengthen his foundation in painting. Immersed in a community of artists and mentors, he developed a confident creative methodology that bridges traditional and digital worlds.

Today, Weathers creates mixed media works that explore nostalgia, memory, and impermanence, blending CGI-inspired visuals with painting techniques to re-contextualize moments from the past. His creative process begins digitally, using early CGI software before transferring and finishing each piece on canvas.

When it came to painting the mural at Pita Pit’s Starkville location, he teamed up with fellow Department of Art graduate Brad James Jr., class of 2023. Weathers said they decided to divide and conquer the project based on their strengths, with Weathers focusing on architecture and landscapes and James specializing in figures. The mural, “Greek Life at Pita Pit,” took about 2 months to complete, with the artists working outside store hours.

From murals to multimedia projects, Weathers embraces risk and experimentation. “A creative practice can be applied to anything,” he says. “It’s about approaching problem-solving with originality and an open mind.”

Art

Julianne Payne

cem123 — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 13:18:06 +0000

Julianne Payne cem123 Monday, October 13, 2025 - 8:18 am 2025

Why did you choose CAAD at MSU?

I choose CAAD at MSU because I wanted to pursue a creative career, and attending MSU seemed to be a great way for me to do that.

Favorite spot on campus?

My favorite spot on campus is the benches outside the Chapel of Memories.

If you could go back and tell your high school self one thing, what would it be?

If I could go back, I would tell my high school self to relax a little more; life is short—don't spend it stressed all the time.

These are a few of my favorite things…

I enjoy Iced Sea Turtle drinks from Strange Brew Coffeehouse and spending time with my friends.

Art

2026

MSU design agency bridges gap between academia, practice

amw1419 — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 02:05:49 +0000

MSU design agency bridges gap between academia, practice amw1419 Wednesday, October 1, 2025 - 9:05 pm

Professor Meena Khalili's Gallery Reception

amw1419 — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 23:30:25 +0000

Professor Meena Khalili's Gallery Reception Art amw1419 Monday, September 29, 2025 - 6:30 pm No2025-09-30T17:00:00-0500 Visual Arts Center

Please plan to join us for Professor Khalili's Artist Talk, Gallery Reception, Workshop, and Roundtable Discussion.

This is the final show at the VAC Gallery. Let's give Meena the warmest welcome.

https://www.meenakhalili.com/

Professor Meena Khalili's Panel Discussion

amw1419 — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 23:28:10 +0000

Professor Meena Khalili's Panel Discussion Art amw1419 Monday, September 29, 2025 - 6:28 pm No2025-10-01T11:00:00-0500 Hunter Henry Center

Please plan to join us for Professor Khalili's Artist Talk, Gallery Reception, Workshop, and Roundtable Discussion.

This is the final show at the VAC Gallery. Let's give Meena the warmest welcome.

https://www.meenakhalili.com/

Professor Meena Khalili's Workshop

amw1419 — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 23:26:07 +0000

Professor Meena Khalili's Workshop Art amw1419 Monday, September 29, 2025 - 6:26 pm No2025-10-01T09:00:00-0500 UAT Lab Stafford 100

Please plan to join us for Professor Khalili's Artist Talk, Gallery Reception, Workshop, and Roundtable Discussion.

This is the final show at the VAC Gallery. Let's give Meena the warmest welcome.

https://www.meenakhalili.com/

Professor Meena Khalili's Artist Talk

amw1419 — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 23:19:08 +0000

Professor Meena Khalili's Artist Talk Art amw1419 Monday, September 29, 2025 - 6:19 pm No2025-09-30T13:30:00-0500 Visual Arts Center

Please plan to join us for Professor Khalili's Artist Talk, Gallery Reception, Workshop, and Roundtable Discussion.

This is the final show at the VAC Gallery. Let's give Meena the warmest welcome.

https://www.meenakhalili.com/

Lauren Bernard

cem123 — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 20:20:01 +0000

Lauren Bernard cem123 Friday, September 19, 2025 - 3:20 pm 2025

Why did you choose CAAD at MSU?

I chose CAAD for the variety of classes they offer, and because I felt drawn to the close-knit community. Everyone seems so passionate about what they do—professors and students alike. I continue to be inspired by the people of CAAD everyday!

Favorite Spot on Campus?

My favorite spot changes every semester, but I always enjoy walking around Chadwick Lake and hanging around the Drill Field!

If you could go back and tell your high school self one thing, what would it be?

I would tell myself to be patient and try to enjoy the process. Trust that God will guide you through every season of life, especially the uncertain ones.

These are a few of my favorite things...

Some of the things I enjoy (besides art, of course) include traveling, gardening, cooking, fitness, trying new things and just being outside!

Art

2026

Aidan Easterling

cem123 — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 13:35:21 +0000

Aidan Easterling cem123 Wednesday, September 10, 2025 - 8:35 am 2025

Why did you choose CAAD at MSU?

I choose CAAD because I thought it would be a good start to begin getting connected with people in my major and to learn more about my major.

Favorite Spot on campus?

My favorite spot on campus is the Sanderson Center because I like going to the gym and working out. I am usually there at least five days a week having fun lifting.

If you could go back and tell your high school self one thing, what would it be?

I would tell myself to get more active with people and take more pictures. I also would tell myself to do the video ideas that I think of to better my editing skills.

These are a few of my favorite things…

I like to record videos of my friends and just like recording in general. I especially like it when I have a video idea and edit the video so I can look back at something I created.

Art

2026