Petal Arts Council

09/02/2026

🎄🎁🎅🏻We are excited to announce that this year's HOLIDAY MARKET will now be at the PETAL CIVIC CENTER! This is a change from what we posted last week. We are in the process of updating the information on the website to reflect the new location and floorplan, contacting vendors who have already signed up, and will have everything ready to register new vendors by September 4th. This change enables us to offer so many more Saturday only vendor spaces in addition to the 3-day indoor vendor spaces. We have many new and wonderful things planned for this special 3-day event during the Petal Area Chamber of Commerce Shop Petal First! We hope you will join us in November. The Holiday Market will be filled with unique, one-of-a-kind treasures made by local artists, perfect for all you gift giving needs! Stay tuned.

09/02/2026

👀🎨🖌 Call for Artists! 🖌🎨👀

The Petal Arts Council is happy to announce a Call for Artists to paint 4 utility boxes in Petal, Mississippi! This initiative, sponsored by the City of Petal, Sherwin Williams, and the Petal Arts Council, will bring vibrant public art to our city, celebrating our community
and creativity!

The Petal Arts Council believes that public art has the power to tell stories and bring people together! Through this city-wide mural program, we are investing not only in the beautification of our city, but also in the talented artists who call Petal and the surrounding communities home.

Specifics:
This call is open to artists with experience in painting, illustration, design, or public art. Artists must reside in the local or surrounding area. Individual artists and artist teams are welcome to apply. Prior mural experience is encouraged but not required.

● Applications Open: September 2nd
● Application Submission Deadline: September 24th
● Selected Artist Announcement: October 1st
● Artwork Ex*****on Window: October 16th – November 16th

We are looking for designs that contribute positivity to the community:
-City beautification
-Local history or heritage
-Nature, landscapes, wildlife, and environmental themes
-Community pride
-Creativity and optimism

The rules, eligibility criteria, and submission guidelines govern all 4 available electrical utility boxes.

View Specifications, Project Templates, and Artist Application at -
https://www.petalarts.org/petalmuralproject

If you have any questions, please reach out to Brittany Whittington at [email protected].

08/19/2026

Be sure to stop by the South Mississippi Art Association Juried Exhibition at the Lucile Parker Gallery at William Carey University now until September 17th. Gallery hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 1 pm to 4pm. Petal Arts Council's own Stephanie Birdwell is one of the featured artists!

Reception for the South Mississippi Arts Association - Juried Exhibition, today, 4:30-6:00

08/18/2026

08/18/2026

We had a great time tonight at our BACK TO SCHOOL themed event! Such fun and helpful tips were shared by all! Who knew that you could clean old paint out of brushes with BRAKE FLUID!? Thanks Elise! Becky Rhodes Fortenberry shared about the wonders of using AI, Janie Bloxom Stouffer had helpful tips for mixed media oil painting, Maury De Leon had some great advice about sketching. Jodie Brickson talked about using a light table as a tool in the design process. Linda Bullock said spackling is great to add texture to a painting surface. Sherri Marengo shared about upcoming Theatre events, Brittany Strickland Whittington updated us on the launch dates for the new Mural Program utility boxes and news about Festival of Trees. Jodie and Brent Rasberry gave information about registration for the Holiday Market. We were so excited to have some of our teen members with us tonight. Great things are happening in Petal. Join us!

08/12/2026

Do you have a great Arts related tip, technique, or creative lesson you have learned?
Join us Monday, August 17th at 6pm in the Magnolia Room of the Petal Civic Center for BACK TO SCHOOL: Arts Edition! It will be a fun, interactive, and informative evening. Come TEACH us or demonstrate your favorite tip and LEARN new ideas from others. We can't wait to hear what everyone shares! Refreshments provided. All welcome to attend. SEE YOU THERE.

07/15/2026

HERE'S the SCOOP! We are having an ICE CREAM PARTY!
Join us Monday, July 20th at 6pm for our monthly gathering at the Petal Civic Center Magnolia Room. We will have ice cream and all the fixings as we do a fun and interactive art activity. Everyone will go home with their own collaborative piece of art. All are welcome to this free event. See you there!

06/16/2026

Come show your support for our own Becky Rhodes Fortenberry! Let us know if you would like to go with a group to this or other Festival South events.

Sharing OLLI’s promo piece for Becky Fortenberry and her exhibition “Chigiri‑e: Painting with Paper.” Becky’s artwork is a beautiful blend of texture, color and creativity, and we’re thrilled to celebrate it during FestivalSouth!

Join us for the reception:
📅 Friday, June 19
⏰ 1 p.m.
📍 OLLI in Hattiesburg, 321 Dr. Eddie Holloway Drive

The full FestivalSouth announcement is pinned at the top of our page.

05/13/2026

Please join us!
We have a great meeting planned for next Monday, May 18th at 6pm in the Magnolia Room at the Petal Civic Center. We will have special guests that will tell us all about the exciting events and activities happening during this year's upcoming Festival South Arts festival. Member Becky Fortenberry will also share opportunities available through OLLI - Osher Lifelong Learning Institute for the summer session at USM and Gulfport locations.

See you Monday!