A former Vicksburg resident has led an effort to decorate the lobby at the Baptist Healthplex in Clinton with art. This Saturday, she will take it to the next level, with a reception for participating artists from 2 to 4 p.m.

If you go

An artists reception, organized by former Vicksburg resident Jeanette Jarmon, will be at the Baptist Healthplex at Mississippi College in Clinton from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Call 601-906-3458 for information.

Jeanette Jarmon, a Mississippi College adjunct art professor and the healthplex’s artist in residence, has, over the past four years, helped  transform the lobby and hallways of the building into a gallery.

“A lot of people go through here,” Jarmon said. “It exposes them to the art. We got a lot of positive comments from people who do look at the art.”

Jarmon said the featured artists will be on hand Saturday to discuss their works, which will sell from $5 to $2,500. Also for sale will be works by women in Uganda. Pieces will be on display through the end of the year.

“I want people to know we have a lot of good art here,” Jarmon said. “We have a variety of styles from realism to abstract to religious art.”

Also Saturday, Bob Dunaway, former chairman of the art department at Hinds Community College in Raymond, will sign copies of his new book, “Recollections of Recollections,” a collection of short stories from his youth.

Jarmon said she is accepting work for future shows. Anyone interested can call her at 601-906-3458.

“I get an assortment of things from local artists,” she said, adding that she plans to host an artist reception annually.

Jarmon, 55, has taught art for 35 years, painted her own pieces and run an art gallery. “I did anything I could to stay in art,” she said. 

A graduate of Vicksburg High School, she lives in Clinton with her mother, former Vicksburg resident Ola Mae Jarmon.

Her father is the late Henry Jarmon of Vicksburg.

The Baptist Healthplex, operating under the parent company Baptist Health Systems, is located at Mississippi College.

It houses an exercise facility, medical clinics and meeting rooms.

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Contact Manivanh Chanprasith at mchan@vicksburgpost.com