Author: Sycamore Arts

Board Member

Mary Bonds is a talented needlepoint artist specializing in canvas and linens. Her primary focus is on antique reproduction needlework, and she particularly enjoys working with linens and silk threads. Passionate about abstract art, Mary has a special admiration for pieces created by local artists. Originally from Southaven, she now resides in Senatobia. With 20 years of involvement in the Sycamore Arts Council, Mary has contributed in various roles on the board.

Mary is a graduate of The University of Mississippi and currently teaches in the Biological Sciences Department at Northwest Mississippi Community College. She is also a board-certified microbiologist. In addition to her artistic and academic endeavors, Mary has served as a board member for several organizations, including the Rotary Club, Memphis Horticulture Club, Tate County Fair Board, Northwest Mississippi Community College Alumni Board, and the Junior Auxiliary of Tate County.

Board Member

Carole Givens was born and raised in Memphis, TN; married a Senatobia native and has lived here since 1987. Carole grew up in a very creative and artistic family consisting of mediums in oil, acrylic and watercolor as well as hobbies of ceramics, sewing and woodworking—arts and crafts were an integral part of her early life.  Her grandmother was not only an accomplished artist in oil and pastels, but also a restoration artist, and Carole loved being in her home studio in awe of her many commissions.

Upon coming to Senatobia, she served as Activities Director at The Baddour Center. Then enjoyed time as an active stay-at-home mom; she later taught Art at Senatobia Middle School for 15 years, retiring several years ago. 

Carole was introduced to the Sycamore Arts Council by her mother-in-law who served as an active Board member at its inception.  Carole first served on the SAC Board in the 1990’s; and is currently an active Board member appointed in June 2022.

She is an avid gardener, enjoys interior design and decorating, and gifting floral acrylic paintings to family members.  She has three children and one grandchild. She is also a member of Senatobia Presbyterian Church.

Board Member

Jacqueline Dickerson is excited to be a member of the Sycamore Arts Council joining in 2023.  She has a BBA from Mississippi State University and has lived in the Senatobia area since 1981.  During the years of owning her florist in Memphis, she had the amazing honor of being the personal florist to the Presley family members in Graceland. She worked at Town Talk Florist in Senatobia and still helps when needed. 

Jacqueline’s love of art started at a young age with her grandmother who always encouraged her to be happy and use your talents.   She enjoys using different mediums to create different styles and textures in her art with acrylics being her favorite.  You can find her paintings in all the wonderful Sycamore Art Exhibits.  She is married with 2 children and 5 grandchildren.

Education Chair

Connie Brassel is a self-taught artist, who did not receive formal training through a planned setting, she has always been interested in visual arts. Using mixed media, photography and painting as an outlet to express and explore her creativity.   Connie is committed to push the boundaries of her practice. 

Board Member

Julie Correro is a veteran of the Sycamore Arts Board of Directors. Her interests are varied and diverse with a love for education.

Retired Director of the Education Division at Northwest Mississippi Community College, Julie has a passion to promote the mission of Sycamore Arts, to make cultural activities and arts education accessible to all.

Married to William Correro – Technical Director at The Heindl Center for the Performing Arts, Julie and William have 2 brilliant sons, a beautiful daughter-in-law and 2 precious grandsons

Secretary

Mary Clay  was born in North Louisiana to a family who loved music and theater. At an early age she was playing piano, flute, and performing in band, plays and choir. She married Garry Clay and became mom to his daughter, Faith. Mary and her family moved to Memphis in 1987 and have one grandson, Garrett. In 2003 they relocated to N. MS where they enjoy the country life. During her adult years she has led children’s and adult choirs as well as singing in a quartet and being a soloist in church. Although her career has been in finance, Mary was blessed to own a retail makeup and fashion boutique where she enjoyed working with women of all ages to bring out the beauty in their lives. It was through this business  that she met members of Sycamore Arts and was able to display and sell art in her store. Mary believes she is very fortunate to be a part of Sycamore Arts where she has served as board secretary since 2014. She says it is a joy to work with gifted artists from all realms and promote the arts in our local communities!

Advisor

Jean Bennett received a BSE degree in art from Delta State University where she also obtained a Gifted Education degree.  She was inducted into the Delta Lambda Chapter of Kappa Pi International Art Fraternity.

She taught the gifted art class at Senatobia High School for 15 years and was chosen as Educator of the Year by the Tate County Economic Development Foundation.  She has numerous students who are now art educators at high school, junior college and university levels.  Other former students of Bennett’s now have art careers in interior design, architecture, anime, landscape architecture and graphic design.

Some of Bennett’s art works in Tate County are in buildings on the NWCC campus, Tate County courthouse and at City Hall.  She has served on the Board of Directors of the Sycamore Arts Council for 20 years.  She prefers working in acrylics, oils, and mixed media in her studio.

Vice President

Rachel Roberts, like most artists, loves working with her hands, creating in lots of different media.  She has a degree from the University of Memphis in graphic design and worked as a creative director and designer for various printing companies over the years. She was responsible for a team of designers and photographers and worked directly with clients at printing companies to produce a wide variety of printed materials. That work lent itself to other forms of artistic expression including her own photography business (portraiture and nature), designing and building stained glass windows/panels (both residential and commercial), and creating utilitarian and decorative items from various media including wood, metal, paint, fabric, glass, etc.

Rachel trained and worked at a Memphis photography studio for 2 years, shooting primarily high school seniors in studio and on location. She was the photographer for the Mother’s Day Out Program at Trinity Baptist Church in Cordova for 3 years. She now photographs students, families and business people as well as landscapes/nature.

One of the most valuable things that she has gained from her involvement and serving on the Board at Sycamore Arts over the last 4 years, is meeting and working with other artists and learning new ways and media to continue expressing herself through art. Rachel’s work has been included in exhibits at Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, Business After Hours in Senatobia, Sycamore Arts Holiday Show and at DeSoto Arts in Hernando, MS.

President

As a Tate Countian Sharon Williams has been a member of the Sycamore Arts Council almost from conception. She is currently serving as the SAC president and has also served in other board capacities. 

Sharon majored in Art at NWCC and then was accepted at Memphis College of Art as a painting major.  She fell in love with fiber and color after taking a small tapestry class. She was juried in as a fiber member of the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi in 1986 and has served on the CGM board of directors as well as being a past president. 

Sharon is a member of the Chimneyville Weavers and Spinners Guild and has served as a board member and past president.  She is also a founding member and president of the CWSG CO-OP. 

Sharon enjoys coordinating exhibitions of fiber as well as other types of art.