Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill Receives Prestigious 2024 Medal for the Arts

On April 23, 2024, an impressive amalgamation of community members and University of Mississippi students descended upon the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the momentous annual Medal for the Arts ceremony and concert. The spirited event, filled with artsy flare and musical verve, was all about celebrating the vibrant artistic talents of the University of Mississippi and lauding Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill, the honored recipient of the 2024 Medal for the Arts award.

The Prestigious Medal for the Arts Award

The University of Mississippi Institute for the Arts conferred the Medal for the Arts for the first time in 2022. Orchestrated by the university’s Living Music Resource, this award serves as the highest honor bestowed by the University of Mississippi, recognizing commendable work in art and its advocacy amongst individuals associated with the university. This year marked the third instance of awarding this prestigious recognition, and Mayor Robyn Tannehill emerged as the deserving recipient.

Celebrating Artistic Talent and Pioneering Leaders

Contributions from the Department of Music, the Department of Theatre and Film, and the Department of Art and Art History lent to the convivial atmosphere of the Medal for the Arts ceremony. The program underscored Tannehill’s seminal role in fostering Oxford’s arts community and amplifying the visibility of public art.

An alumnus of UM with a degree in interior design, Tannehill led the Oxford Tourism Council as its director and championed the inception of Double Decker Arts Festival in 1996. The festival now lures tens of thousands of visitors every year, marking an exemplar of the vibrant local arts scene.

A Showcase of Artistic Brilliance

In addition to a captivating short documentary narrating Tannehill’s lasting impact on Oxford’s art scene, the ceremony presented a kaleidoscopic view of the university’s thriving artistic talent. Highlights included performances from the UM steel orchestra, graduate students like trombonist Fred Hadley and poet Noreen Ocampo, and academic faculty members such as musical theater professor John Carden and piano professor Adrienne Park. Undergraduate student pianist Benton Donahue also took to the stage, delivering a memorable performance.

The attendees got a sneak peek into UM Opera Theatre’s production of “The Turn of the Screw” before the official ceremony. Elsewhere, undergraduate English student and singer-songwriter Izzy Arthurs emerged as the event’s headliner, regaling the audience with a mix of original songs and covers. The ceremony further showcased pieces from art professors Brooke P. Alexander, Stacey Rathert, and imaging arts professor Brooke White, underscoring the diversity of the university’s arts scene.

Elaborating Oxford’s Artistic Influence

Prior to the ceremony, student artists like Ellis Barber, Victoria Ellis, Peyton Lawler, Jon Tae McCall, Angel Morgan, Denzel Foster, Claire Baskin, Nicolette Boyd, and Breanna Bercegeay displayed their work in a mesmerizing gallery at the Ford Center. Baskin, a senior BFA major with an emphasis in painting, highlighted how residing in Oxford nurtured her artistic growth and inspired her expressive work.

“Oxford’s large circle of artists and influential personalities have allowed me to grow as an artist. Despite being a small town, it offers an enriching environment that is conducive to creative exploration and friendly relationships,” Baskin expressed.

Angel Morgan, a senior BFA student specializing in photography and printmaking, also shared her love for documenting the Southern life, emphasizing the diversity and cultural parallels that Oxford offered. The town’s supportive approach towards the art community resonated with Ellis, a senior BFA student with an emphasis in ceramics, further cultivating her creative expression.

With such a galvanizing celebration of artistic endeavor and acclaim, the 2024 Medal for the Arts Awards ceremony highlights the enriching artistic atmosphere within Oxford, continuing to inspire budding artists and enhance community camaraderie.