A special reception is planned from 1-3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Meridian Museum of Art for its Annual Bi-State Competition and Exhibition, which is celebrating 50 years.

The region’s oldest juried art competition, the Bi-State is the Meridian Museum of Art’s prestigious annual exhibit that recognizes and celebrates outstanding artistic achievements by artists not only from Mississippi and Alabama but also from across the South.

This year’s competition drew 245 entries with 71 works by 53 artists selected for inclusion in the exhibition. Awards will be announced at 3 p.m. during Saturday’s reception.

Selected works from the exhibition are currently on view in the museum’s main-floor galleries.

Caleb Phillips, Meridian Museum of Art’s director of communications and programs, said it is impressive the Bi-State exhibition is celebrating its golden anniversary and continues to draw strong support year after year.

“It’s amazing to see the artistic talent that comes from Mississippi and Alabama,” he said. “The Bi-State show draws out the best of the South, and for it to continue now for 50 years is incredible. Many other exhibitions like this have gone away, but the Bi-State has gone on strong. I hope that we are able to keep this annual exhibition up for another 50 years.”

Kate Cherry, executive director of the Meridian Museum of Art, noted that most artists consider being accepted into the annual MMA Bi-State competition and exhibition a great honor.

“Many exhibiting artists normally attend this reception,” Cherry said. “It’s a good time for viewers to visit the artists, ask questions, or just talk with them.”

Serving as juror of this year’s exhibition is Mississippi State University William L. Giles Distinguished Professor Emeritus Brent Funderburk, who spent 36 years teaching and leading the university’s art department.

A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Funderburk earned his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in fine arts from East Carolina University School of Art. A distinguished artist and educator, he was recipient of the Excellence in Visual Arts and Education award during the 36th Governor’s Arts Awards earlier this year. Presented annually by the Mississippi Arts Commission in partnership with the governor’s office, the Governor’s Arts Awards recognize individuals and organizations who have made noteworthy contributions to the arts in Mississippi.

Funderburk is widely known for his water-media paintings and energetic teaching and lectures. He has exhibited widely and received numerous awards with his work featured in collections worldwide. He also has delivered more than 100 talks, curated exhibitions and taught courses focusing on influential artists. He will present two guided tours and talks of the upcoming Walter Anderson exhibit at the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience on Sept. 12 and Oct. 3.

Mississippi artists who were accepted to be a part of the exhibition include Pat Abernathy of Biloxi, J’Marcus Alfred of Meridian, Robbie Boyd of Pontotoc, Mark Brown of Ellisville, Danny Brunt of Vaughn, Cynthia Buob of Columbus, Susan Busby of Ellisville, Charles Carraway of Terry, Claudia Cartee of Seminary, Obie Clark of Taylor, Terri Cribb of Madison, Mary Clare Evans of Meridian, Robert Evans of Meridian, Charquisia Franks of Waynesboro, Robert Gibson of Columbus, Julia Graber of Brooksville, Laura Holladay of Meridian, Gary Howse of Lauderdale, Barbara-Ann Hunt of Hattiesburg, Randy Jolly of Vicksburg, Jerry Jones of Tupelo, Rebecca Korpita of Gulfport, Andrea Kostyal of Hattiesburg, Sadako Lewis of Diamondhead, Joe MacGown of Starkville, Vanda McCormick of Gulfport, George Ann McCullough of Ocean Springs, Joan McRaney of Hattiesburg, Angee Montgomery of Hernando, Gail Morton of Thaxton, Thomas Nawrocki of Columbus, Cetin Oguz of Cleveland, Daniel E. Piersol of Jackson, John Mark Pinter of Clinton, Mary Louise Porter of Ocean Springs, Bob Purvis of Enterprise, Judy Rayner of Enterprise, Jacob Rowan of Jackson, Martina Sciolino of Hattiesburg, Lesley Silver of Vicksburg, Paul Smith of Brandon, Nate Theisen of Jackson, Kathleen Varnell of Jackson, Kim Whitt of Moselle and Marcus Williams of Sallis.

Alabama artists selected to be included are William Dooley of Northport, Lindsay Dyess of Pelham, Michelle Jones of Mobile, Mary Kerry of Tuscaloosa, Julie Plasketes of Opelika, Michael Swann of Tarrant and Tom Wegrzynowski of Tuscaloosa. Amie Oliver, an artist from Richmond, Virginia, and J. Michael Simpson of Rock Hill, South Carolina, also were selected to be in the exhibition.

The Bi-State will conclude Saturday with the closing reception. Art enthusiasts are encouraged to visit the museum before then for a chance to view the artwork and support the state’s talented artists.

The 50th Annual Bi-State is supported, in part, by the museum’s members, Sharon Busler and Rachel Busler Misenar, the Community Foundation of East Mississippi, endowments from Alliance Health Center and the Martin and Linda Davidson Family, the City of Meridian, the Phil Hardin Foundation, the Mississippi Arts Commission, the Riley Foundation, the Paul and Sherry Broadhead Foundation and the Ernest Worker’s Circle.

Meridian Museum of Art is located at 628 25th Ave. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit the museum’s website at meridianmuseum.org or the museum’s social media page on Facebook.