LOCATION
The Pike School of Art – Mississippi (PSA-MS) residency is near McComb, Mississippi, which is 75 miles south of Jackson, Mississippi and 100 miles north of New Orleans, Louisiana.
BY CAR
From the south or north: Take I-55 to Exit 13 in Mississippi, then follow the signs to Percy Quin State Park.
BY AIR
The nearest airport is in Jackson (JAN), though more flight options are likely available through New Orleans International (MSY). PSA-MS can arrange pickup from either airport for a modest fee.
BY RAIL
McComb is served by Amtrak’s City of New Orleans train, with daily service from New Orleans to the south and Memphis and Chicago to the north. PSA-MS will meet you at the McComb depot.
LODGING
MCCOMB, MISSISSIPPI
Except for the last two days of the residency, which take place in New Orleans, you will stay in a cabin in Percy Quin State Park, just a few miles from McComb, Mississippi. The setting is rustic but your accommodations will be comfortable and self-contained. Complete kitchens include utensils and dishes. (No microwaves.) The cabins have heat and air conditioning, and most have wood-burning fireplaces.
You will share a cabin – and possibly a bathroom – with one or two other people but your bedroom will be private. Other residents will be in nearby cabins, allowing collaboration and social interaction.
Transportation to McComb and back will be available at least once per day, and requests to visit grocery stores, fast-food restaurants and coffee shops (wi-fi!), and other local businesses will be accommodated within reason. Otherwise, taxi service is available and generally runs around $16 each way to McComb, plus $2 per person.
Vehicles can be rented in New Orleans at the airport. Please check the airport website for more information. Also, vehicles can be rented in McComb at Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
There is no wi-fi in the lodging, though cell signals are generally strong. Contract-free, monthly personal wi-fi accounts can be bought through most cell phone carriers.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
Accommodations will be provided for two nights at the end of the residency in a hotel, guest house or other lodging, depending on availability.
EXCURSIONS
Several day trips are planned, all designed to enhance an understanding of the South, its history and its culture. Residents are of course welcome to participate in these outings (entrance fees and lunches are included) but they are merely an option and not a requirement.
NATCHEZ, MS
Grand Village of the Natchez Indians
Natchez Trace Parkway
JACKSON, MS
Mississippi State Capitol & Governor’s Mansion
Eudora Welty House
Mississippi Museum of Art
Vicksburg National Military Park
International Museum of Muslim Cultures
BILOXI, MS
Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art
Beauvoir (home and presidential library of Jefferson Davis)
DEPENDING ON INTEREST among the Residents, visits can be arranged to popular local nightspots such as the Ice House (McComb), or the Summit Pool Hall.
FOOD
Included in the cost of the residency:
BREAKFAST
We will supply you with breakfast basics (cereal, milk, juice, bread, frozen waffles, fruit, coffee, tea, etc.) and will try to accommodate special requests within reason.
LUNCH
We will supply you with lunchtime staples (sandwich and salad ingredients, fruit) and will try to accommodate special requests within reason. Please be aware that grocery shopping in McComb can present challenges when it comes to special diets, such as vegetarian, vegan or kosher.
OTHER MEALS
At least one group dinner in nearby Summit, MS at the home of the directors, one of whom is a former professional chef. Transportation will be provided.
Lunch at the iconic Dinner Bell restaurant in McComb.
Lunches on the excursions to Jackson, Natchez and Biloxi.
Farewell dinner in New Orleans.
Abundant bottled water.
Charcoal for grilling. (Each cabin has an outdoor grill.)
Not included:
Dinners, unless noted above.
Alcohol.
Soft drinks.
ART SUPPLIES
Residents should bring whatever supplies might be necessary to produce work, such as laptop computers, external hard drives, digital cameras, paint, paper and canvas. If the supplies you plan to use are too large to carry with you, you may send them ahead of time. (Please inquire regarding the appropriate address to use for USPS, Fedex, UPS, etc.)
If you plan to print anything (documents, photographs, etc.), we will try to accommodate your needs, whether by taking you and/or your thumb drive to Office Depot or by printing small-scale images ourselves.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
Pets are not allowed in the residency.
Smoking is not allowed in cabins or any buildings in Percy Quin State Park.
