Meridian Museum of Art and MWG/MSA/TMI announce writing contest inspired by permanent collection

Published 12:38 pm Wednesday, February 18, 2026

The Meridian Museum of Art, in partnership with the Mississippi Writers Guild and Mississippi Songwriters Alliance and The Montgomery Institute, announces “Art Speaks, We Write,” a community-wide writing contest inspired by the museum’s permanent collection.

Youth, grades 6-12, and adults are invited to select any artwork from the museum’s collection and respond through poetry, prose or digitally recorded songwriting. Writers are encouraged to begin with close visual observation and deepen their work through research into the artist, historical context, or cultural themes.

“This writing contest invites our community to slow down, look closely, and engage with the stories preserved inside the Meridian Museum of Art’s permanent collection,” said Richelle Putnam, project director. “We want writers, especially our youth, to move from observation to curiosity and research, discovering the deeper histories behind the images. Through this contest, we are strengthening the connection between visual art and the written word while nurturing the next generation of storytellers.”

Kate Cherry, executive director of the Meridian Museum of Art, emphasized the educational value of the initiative.

“Relating visual art to literature strengthens critical thinking and creative expression,” she said. “Connecting artwork to writing encourages people to ask questions, research, and better understand artistic choices — skills that enrich their own creative process.”

Caleb Phillips, deputy director of the Meridian Museum of Art, added, “This competition allows participants to translate visual elements into written words while exploring themes of history, identity, and inequality. We are excited to showcase the talent of local students and adults alongside the artworks that inspire them.”

Age Groups:
— Youth (Grades 6–8)
— Youth (Grades 9–12)
— Adult (18+)

Writing Types:
— Poetry (maximum 32 lines)
— Prose (maximum 500 words)
— Digitally Recorded Song (maximum 4 minutes)

Cash prizes range from $25 to $150 in youth categories and $50 to $175 in the adult category. Winning entries will receive monetary awards and certificates and will be displayed alongside the artwork that inspired them. Honorable mentions receive certificates.

The contest opens March 1 and closes March 27. Judging concludes April 5, with an awards ceremony on April 11 at the Meridian Museum of Art.

The contest is free to enter. Guidelines and entry forms are available at the Meridian Museum of Art or at www.mississippiwritersguild.com under Events: Art Speaks, We Write.

This event is made possible through an Individual Artist Grant awarded to Putnam by the Mississippi Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.