Meridian Museum of Art volunteer Beth Turnage has been recognized as Volunteer of the Year for 2014.

    Announced during the museum’s annual Holiday Gala, the award recognizes the volunteer who excels in executing MMA’s mission: To bring visual arts to the community.

     “She lead from the executive committee as secretary, she measured, hammered nails and hung over 10 exhibits,” said Kim Gianakos, a former recipient of the award.

    “She volunteered to spearhead fundraising events that keep the lights on, and provided numerous hours of hosting the museum’s annual line-up of exhibits. The Meridian Museum of Art is profoundly thankful for Beth’s service to our museum and to our community. Two thumbs up!”

    MMA Director Kate Cherry said Volunteer of the Year is a special award presented by the museum.

    “We’re not only recognizing one very deserving person,” Cherry said. “We’re also, through them, expressing our gratitude to every one of the hundreds of volunteers who make the museum and its programs possible.”

    The gala concluded what Cherry described as “a dynamic year of art.”

     In addition to the volunteer recognition, a highlight of the event was the Mississippi Art Colony Fall Traveling Exhibit.

    “We are extremely fortunate to have an exhibit of this caliber in our museum. Artists from throughout the region are represented,” Cherry said.

    The exhibit concluded a week session of fellowship, and was instructed by Jenene Nagy, a visual artist living and working in Aspen and Los Angeles. Nagy selected works by Pat Abernathy, Andrea Kostyal, Norma Seward, George Ann McCullough, Cheryl D. McClure, Terri Cribb, Mary Hardy, Richard Stephens, Beverly Dennis, Gary Simmons, Carolyn Busenlener and Jamie Tate.  

    The traveling exhibit will run through Feb. 25, then travel to William Carey University.

    The Holiday Gala also serves as the reception for the museum’s annual Membership Show.  

    “This exhibit means a lot to us,” Cherry said. “For our members, it’s one of the special privileges of being a member. For us, it’s a wonderful chance to show off their artistic talents.”      Members exhibiting artwork in the show are: Dianne C. Agnew, Kent Allen, Tim Allred, David Barr, Peggy Billups, Martha Buckley, Charlie Busler, Greg Cartmell, Deana Day, Cooper Michael French, Kris Gianakos, Joy Greer, Shirley Griffin, Jill Hammes, Peggy Harmon, Neil Hatten, Cary Haycox, Martha Hopkins, Marsha Iverson, Bob Jeffares, Rosemary Kahlmus, Pat Kent, Wanda Luke, Jan Mardis, John Marshall, Doris McKinney, Ruth McMullan, Charlie Munoz, Megan Plott, Jeanne Poetker, Santonio Portis, Jr., Wanda Price, Mouise T. Richards, Alice Shaffer, Don Shaffer, M. W. “Butch” Stuart, Patsy Temple and Ross Tingle.

    The Membership Show will remain on display through Jan. 31.  

    Meridian Museum of Art is sponsored by the city of Meridian, Mississippi Arts Commission, the Phil Hardin Foundation, the Riley Foundation, the Community Foundation of East Mississippi, Rea, Shaw, Giffin, and Stuart, CPAs, and from private individuals and donations.

    Located at 628 25th Ave. in downtown Meridian, the museum is open to the public and admission is free. Regular museum hours are Wednesday-Saturday, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, call (601) 693-1501 or e-mail MeridianMuseum@bellsouth.net.