tKO ‘OX BOONF I N E A R T A U C T I O N

Comu

nidad. Creatividad. Cultura.

MEET THE CURATOR

samantha ledbetter

Samantha graduated from Millsaps College in 2012 with a B.A. in Studio Art, and currently pursues prerequisites for dental school at Holmes Community College. She worked for over two years as curator for the Greater Jackson Arts Council, where she honed her perspective on the curating process. For Ledbetter, “Curating is just reaching out and grouping things you believe go together aesthetically. For instance, I curate my Instagram and Twitter accounts to present the most appealing digital version of myself.” Comparing the individual process of art making to curating, Ledbetter remarks that the two processes are commensurate, “When creating my own work I make deliberate marks, reacting to layers, and it would seem that reacting to a pile of paintings in an empty gallery and then arranging them is similar.” In her own work, Ledbetter works with watercolor and graphite on Yupo paper to expose the whimsical intersections of zen and chaos. Her work emphasizes process, with primary layers peeking through the final composition. Though her paintings are not specifically representational, they enthrall with familiar botanical forms and webs of intricate patterns.

who w

e ar

e

who w

e ar

e team of hundreds of artists and volunteers makes up ko’ox Boon. from Yaxhachen, Yucatan to Jackson, mississippi, we speak with a choral voice. however, we would like to recognize the folks who do the paperwork. founders MANDI STRICKLAND, ALLIE JORDAN & PHILLIP BOYETT planted the seeds for ko’ox Boon almost four Years ago. through official organizational formation in earlY 2014, theY Joined hands with curator samantha ledBetter, coordinator of creative education sara sacks, and puBlication designer kristen lucas as the ko’ox Boon core.

A

K o’ox Boon (pronounced co-osch Bone)

means “let’s paint” in Yucatec maYan. our mission is to cultivate creativitY through the generation and celeBration of puBlic art. the 100% volunteer-Based team Brings the transformative power of art to underserved communities in Yucatan, mexico and Jackson, mississippi.

through collaBoration with local communitY agencies, ko’ox Boon strives to provide support to local artists and harness the JoYful, creative spirit of Youth. collaBoration is, in fact, at the heart of our organization which thrives off of communitY engagement. we develop creative proJects which promote communitY fellowship, cultivate economic development, and explore indigenous culture and folklore.

the phYsical restoration of a communitY acts as a vehicle for promoting our values of progress and equalitY across all of societY. the creative process of puBlic storYtelling through murals and park revitalization allows communitY memBers to make important decisions regarding identitY and representation from an empowered vantage point. georgia o’keefe once said, “I FOUND I COULD SAY THINGS WITH COLOUR AND SHAPES THAT I COULDN’T SAY ANY OTHER WAY--THINGS I HAD NO WORDS FOR.” ko’ox Boon uses art to give disadvantaged communities the tools with which to express their creative identities. communities that lack the power to express their identitY to the outside world can communicate through the universal language of art.

what w

e do

special than

ks

we want to thank our numBer one fans, nell linton knox and william goodman. undeniaBlY, we would Be a mile Behind schedule without Your steadfast support and (ridiculouslY) specific guidance. thank You for making “aBsolutelY” the new ko’ox Boon keYword. dr. george BeY and dr. tomas gallareta: You have Been unflagging

pillars of support and encouragement. thanks for mentoring us. also, a shoutout to our sponsors:

special than

ks

Samantha Ledbetterjackson, miss i s s ippi

EMOJIE PLAYLIST graphite+watercolor on yupo, 30x30”

William Goodmanjackson, miss i s s ippi

Samantha Ledbetterjackson, miss i s s ippi

William Goodmanjackson, miss i s s ippi

TRANSCENDENTAL II multimedia, 36x36”

Audrey Bardwell

GRAINSTORMpyrogrophy+acrylic+stain on wood, 24”x24”

jackson, miss i s s ippi

jackson, miss i s s ippi

GOODBYE SUMMER CICADA woodblock print+ watercolor, 12x16”

Ian Harkeyjackson, miss i s s ippi • www.ianharkey.com

10 + kooxboon.cdm

Chad Marsjackson, miss i s s ippi • www.chadmars.com

FUN FACTORYacrylic on canvas, 20x20”

MOTHER NATURE acrylic on wood, 18x30”

Justin R

ansbu

rgja

ckso

n, m

issi

ssip

pi

new orleans, louis iana • www.cullenlawlor.com

Cullen Lawlor

RELENTLESSoil on canvas, 30x40”

Katie Gabbardlouisvi l le, kentucky

Katie Gabbard

PARANOIAsculpture, 12x4x3”

louisvi l le, kentucky

Kate F

reem

an

jack

son,

mis

siss

ipp

i

CONTINUUM acrylic, 30x40”

Allie Jordanmerida, yucatan, mexico

FARISHphotography, 20x24”

Allie Jordanmerida, yucatan, mexico

FARISHphotography, 20x24”

Claire Whitehurstoxford, miss i s s ippi

BRAIN TRAILS pen+ink+watercolor, 24x36”

MISSED COMMUNICATIONS illustration+digital print, 18x24”

Justin S

chultz

jack

son,

mis

siss

ipp

i

EUDORA’S JITNEY acrylic+ink, 18x24”

Tom McLeodjackson, miss i s s ippi

EUDORA’S JITNEY acrylic+ink, 18x24”

Kennith Seligsonport washington, new york

OLD HOUSE ink, 20x15”

Orlando Dominguezmérida, yucatán, méxico

SOMBRAS Y ARENA acrylic, 40x40”

Sandra Murchisonjackson, miss i s s ippi

THE PEAVINE oil+graphite+laser engraving+collage, 24x24”

Sandra Murchisonjackson, miss i s s ippi

Suza

nne Glém

otja

ckso

n, m

issi

ssip

pi

LATE SUMMER DREAM relief print+linocut, 9x12”

John S. Humphries, IIIjackson, miss i s s ippi

John S. Humphries, IIIjackson, miss i s s ippi

STACK #7 paint+ink+graphite, 24x24

Taylor Colemanjackson, miss i s s ippi

THE ALAMO THEATRE two color silk screen print on metal, 14x24”

MeLinda Bellclinton, miss i s s ippi

RAINBOW CROW pastels+marker on archival paper, 22.75x34”

MISSISSIPPI embroidered cotton pillow, 16x20”

Doña Ofelia Uc Cahuichyaxhachen, yucatan, mexico

Doña Ofelia and the community of embroiderers in Yaxhachen reach global markets with a series of embroidered products that feature state symbols, college logos, and modern designs. Floral embroidery is a pre-Hispanic tradition of Yucatan originating from the hands of Maya women who adorned their dresses with these colorful patterns. This piece includes an outline of the state of Mississippi filled with bright, floral embroidery. With the help of Millsaps College’s charitable presence in Yucatan, all proceeds from

this piece will directly benefit the community of embroiderers of Yaxhachen.

2013-SPRING-11 acrylic, 42x40”

Clay H

ardw

ickja

ckson, m

ississipp

i • ww

w.e

chom

ech.co

m

YO YOpen+watercolor+acrylic , 20x16”

jackson, miss i s s ippi

Arielle Christian

jackson, miss i s s ippi

Hope Carr

yazoo city, miss i s s ippi

DELTA LANDwatercolor, 30x40”

Yolande van Heerdengreenwood, miss i s s ippi

WHO DATwood+metal, 23x11”

Emily Simmonsjackson, miss i s s ippi

Emily Simmonsjackson, miss i s s ippi

BROKEN THINGS glitter+ink+coffee, 5.5x11”

32 + kooxboon.cdm

Josh Haileynew orleans, louis iana • www.joshhailey.com

MISSISSIPPI CUBED photography collage on canvas 30x30”

Josh Haileynew orleans, louis iana • www.joshhailey.com

Andy Hiltonjackson, miss i s s ippi • www.pearlr iverglass.com

WINE CHILLERconcrete, 4x4x12”

Peter Hammond jackson, miss i s s ippi

CONSTELLATION DISCOVERIES print, 10x15.5”