CAG classes have begun at the Hattiesburg Art Center!
The Art For All Mississippi Hattiesburg Community Art Group is a gathering of adult artists with disabilities. The group creates art for sale and commissions.
Classes are held on Tuesday, 10:00 a.m.-12 noon and 1:00-3:00 p.m. and are held at the Hattiesburg Art Center.
Class fees are $6.00 per day and includes basic art supplies, instructor assistance and snacks.
If you or someone you know would like to become a member of this group, please click on the contact page to send us an email. Someone will respond within 24 hours.
Suzanne Lindsey, Director
Suzanne describes herself as an artist, designer, mother, teacher, and chef. She comes to Art For All Mississippi’s Hattiesburg Community Art Group (CAG) from Petal, MS where she grew up with a passion for art and design. She’s completed multiple degrees in art including a BS in Interior Design, University of Southern Mississippi; Masters in Healthcare Interior Design, Stephen F. Austin State; and a Masters in Art Education, William Carey University.
A mother of three, she desires to help provide a voice for all to express themselves through art. She feels that our CAG program will provide a nurturing environment to prosper within downtown Hattiesburg’s arts district.
Sarah and Carol work on a painting together.
Mike Duke
(Bio pending text approval)
Sandra Edwards
Sandra has known about Art For All Mississippi’s Community Art Group for a long time. She came to all of their exhibits and opening receptions with her friend Karlyn. “I just loved the art work and the people in the class I would meet and talk to. Since I joined, I have had a wonderful experience. My husband loves art as much as I do and he has been real supportive of me and is proud of what I have accomplished. The Community Art Group has given me the strength to overcome my depression.”
CAMERON FOX
The original teacher of the VA/VSA Veterans art class, Cameron has come full circle by joining the Art For All Mississippi Community Art Group. She is a retired psychiatric nurse; and, has served as a member of former VSA Mississippi’s Board of Directors. “We are delighted to have Cameron in class,” says Tom. “Her cheery presence is a big asset, not to mention her expertise and ability to artistically advise.”
ERYN FREEMAN
(Bio pending text approval)
Linda freeman
(Bio pending text approval)
Blanche Gaddis
Blanche is a very accomplished painter in acrylics. She captures beauty and boldness in the equestrian ring, in a child on the beach, and in a ballerina’s preparation with equal aplomb. Her style is unmistakable, and she has a devoted following. Blanche says “Due to a stroke, I don’t speak as well as I want, so I like to use my art to express the way I feel. I absolutely love Art For All Mississippi art class. I feel so accepted there. My only wish is that I lived closer, but the drive is always worth it.”
Arthur Green
Born in Laurel, raised in Chicago, Arthur returned home to Mississippi a few years ago. He found the Community Art Group at a bus stop! That’s where Arthur ran into fellow artist (and CAG member) Demetrius Williams. Both armed with art supplies, they looked at each other and started laughing, strangers with an instant bond. Previously, before joining the Community Art Group, Arthur had painted strictly in acrylic and had a lot of success with sales everywhere, even Canada. He won the Goodwill Art Competition with his very first entry! “I’ve enjoyed learning oil painting from Tom,” says Arthur. “I’m looking forward to trying watercolor.”
Kenneth Guyton
Kenneth has the distinction of being the only person to participate in Art For All Mississippi’s ArtBuds program, for youths with disabilities; and matriculate into the Community Art Group, for adults with disabilities! Congratulations, Kenneth. Kenneth likes to draw caricatures based on everyone! From the Apostle Paul, to Disney characters, to friends at his church, he creates likenesses as he perceives them. He also fearlessly tackles all sorts of compositions, from the barnyard to the chic parlor. He has many sales to attest to his charming and appealing style. Kenneth has a very refined caricature style that rivals the professionals. He also uses his art to recall the past, quote scripture, and spin yarns.
Janice Hughes
Originally a participant in the VA/VSA Veterans program, Janice returned to the evolved Art For All Mississippi Community Art Group. “I love this class. It’s great to be reunited with Tom. He is the one who got me back on the road to recovery, and I feel blessed to once again have him as my teacher. The past couple of years I have primarily worked as a private student with Bruce at Tougaloo. While I enjoy painting, I have found clay and sculpting to be my passion.”
Shirley Jones
An R.N. at Baptist’s Central Orthopedics for 28 years, Shirley was working in Restorative Care when she suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car wreck that ended her career. She found Art For All Mississippi during her rehab therapy at Quest. Shirley says she previously had no formal art training, but she enjoys the art class very much. “I enjoy the variety of personalities in the Community Art Group,” she says. “We’ve got a good mixture of ages, race, and gender. That makes it more interesting than if we were all the same.”
Derek Perkins
(Bio pending text approval)
LeVernon Perry
“Ever since I was eight I have been doing art. I was happy to find out about this class through a family friend who works at the Art Center. I’m learning things I didn’t know. Tom has me drawing new subjects, and he has showed me colors that go together that I didn’t realize. When I started out, I just used pencil. Tom got me to try pastels, and my latest work is in oil pastels. I want to try watercolor, oils, everything! Tom is great.He calls me his son. He has taught me so much, even how to sign my artwork in a perfect way.
Chuck Robers
If you want to meet the most interesting man in the world (at least one of them, for sure), come to the Community Art Group and introduce yourself to member Chuck Roberts. Self-described as a man of many exposures, Chuck has traveled to Europe, Asia, Africa—“because I was curious about the world.” From mountain climbing in Canada to snow skiing in Switzerland, not to mention motorcycling across the United States, Chuck embodies adventure. An avid reader, Chuck especially likes biographies, has read the complete works of Shakespeare, but admits he has never read Welty. “She’s on my bucket list,” says he. “When I had my stroke my wife and I returned to Mississippi and family. I found Tom’s class through fellowship at Galloway Church, and have enjoyed getting back to art. Being in a creative environment enhances character. Tom’s consistent, patient, and expansive teaching leads his students to success in art while enriching their character at the same time.”
Carrie Roebuck
For the last year The Community Art Group has had the benefit of a second teacher whom Portico Magazine calls one of Jackson’s “rising talented artists.” Carrie uses various media and has a variety of styles used based on the medium with which she is working. For instance, in her graphite figure drawings she uses realism while her wax batik has more of an illustrative quality. In addition to her enviable talent as a painter, Carrie is an accomplished and imaginative clay artist and sculptor. At a recent sole-artist exhibit at The Library Commission, Carrie’s clay pieces “sold out!” “I really love working with these Art For All Mississippi students” says Carrie. “I also have a disability and this community of artists, just like the name, is a place I find comforting as well as challenging. Tom has been so supportive of me. Watching his method of teaching as well as his manner has been very helpful to me.” Tom says, “I don’t know how we got along without her!”
Michelle Stockett
(Bio pending text approval)
Carolyn Switzer
An art award upon graduation from Clinton High School and a sculpture award after three semesters at Mississippi College with Sam Gore sums up Carolynn’s formal art education. This self-taught, talented artist has spent 43 years in the work force, working independently on her art. While working full time and taking care of a farm that includes horses, goats, dogs, and cats, Carolynn says her art had to take a back seat to every day responsibilities. Recently retired, Carolynn is “happy to be in the Community Art Group. I have already learned a lot and I truly enjoy the camaraderie of working along with fellow artists.”
Terry Turman
“As a diagnosed schizophrenic, I had led a secluded and frightened existence for 13 years. An art lover all my life, I was excited to hear about art lessons available from Art For All Mississippi. When I finally got the courage to try the class, I found the atmosphere of people like me -- living with a disability and loving art -- relaxed and inspired me more than anything I had ever experienced. The Art For All Mississippi Community Art Group has changed my life. A whole new world has opened up for me and I am so grateful.”
Debra Viverette
“I didn’t know I could draw until I took an art class many years ago. The instructor helped my niece get involved with art as well. Later on, my niece helped me to join the Community Art Group (CAG),” Debra remembers. She works in acrylic paint. She paints animal shapes in amusing designs that are reminiscent of the 1920s Spanish surrealist painter Joan Miro, For a couple of hours every Wednesday afternoon, she and husband Kent drive to downtown Jackson to enjoy the class. “It’s kind of a treat that gets us out and about,” she says. “This art class and my crochet projects are what I do for fun. I get to see different people and different art. You never know what you’re going to see here at the studio.”
Kent Viverette
When asked about his art work, Kent enjoys the relaxing pace of rendering art and not worrying about the time it takes to complete the painting. “When you have pressure on you to finish, I think it takes away from the enjoyment of the creative process.” Kent is married to Debra Viverette, another member of the CAG class. “We’ve been married for 47 years and have been coming here to CAG for 12-13 years. She’s done more artwork than I have, though. Tom’s the greatest, a super person.” “I also enjoy crossword puzzle books. When I get stumped by one of the clues and can’t figure it out, I go to the back of the book. I learn new words that way.”
Angie Williams
“I’ve always been interested in art. I started art therapy in 2006 at the V.A. Medical Center. I have been able to attend Tom’s classes off and on over the years, and am really happy to be in the Community Art Group now on a more permanent basis. Through all of my hardships, two things have kept me going—my faith in Christ and my love of art. Being able to learn from a kind man like Tom has been soothing to my soul. The whole atmosphere of the class is loving and supportive and positive. It’s a place to find peace and it’s a place to thrive.”
Demetrius Williams
Demetrius learned about the Art For All Community Art Group while attending an exhibit at the Mississippi Art Center. Popular among his peers, “Mr. D.” has recruited new members, telling them “it’s a wonderful place to learn serious art while having fun.” “Demetrius has vastly improved since first joining the class,” says Tom. “”I’m really proud of his willingness to tackle more complex compositions.”
Mary Winfield
Wife, mother, grandmother, carpenter, plumber, gourmet cook, and sun worshipper, Mary found Art For All Mississippi through an article she read on the Community Art Group. Her first introduction to art was at the Baptist Cancer Center’s art therapy group.“I feel like I’ve come a long way since those days,” says Mary, “in more ways than one.I feel blessed to have such expert teachers give me individual help.
Freddie Wright
“I am an artist. That is my only job. I could never work at some place like McDonald’s when I was in high school or even now. I get respect here at Art For All Mississippi. I love sports and have been drawing players since I was 9 years old. I draw real teams, mostly basketball and football, they are my favorite sports, and so is wrestling. I also draw fantasy teams with All Stars I make up. I like to draw fantasy cartoons and my main figure is called “Reserve” - my sister Connie thought of that name. I love Art For All Mississippi ever since I’ve been coming here, since 2005. Mr. Tom showed me many things. He’s a wonderful, wonderful man. That’s why I created his portrait together with me and I gave it to him, free of charge.”