Contact: Harriet Laird
Photo by: Russ Houston
Senior art major Anna Katherine Phipps of Saltillo is the winner of Mississippi State's 2011 Homecoming Poster Design Contest.
Her watercolor piece now becomes the official artwork for the university's annual fall event. This year's celebration takes place Nov. 5.
"With Praise Our Voices Ring," which features school mascot "Bully" flanked by four cowbells, was her entry in the competition sponsored by the MSU Student Association.
A limited quantity of signed and numbered prints is available for $15 each at the Barnes & Noble at Mississippi State Bookstore. T-shirts for sale there also will feature Phipps' design.
Phipps, whose emphasis is in painting, said watercolor is her favorite artistic medium because of the mystery involved.
"You can draw it out and plan it, but the water goes where it wants to go," the daughter of Tim and Margaret Phipps explained.
She said her creation is designed to subtly illustrate homecoming "without spelling it out." Each cowbell image depicts different aspects of the traditional occasion, including cheerleader, football player, band uniforms, and a queen's crown and cape.
"It seemed to make perfect sense to spell 'ring' on the cowbells and turn the handles into elements of homecoming," she observed.
For her efforts, Phipps received a $400 B&N gift card. Her work also will be displayed permanently in Lee Hall's Student Affairs Gallery, located in the Dean of Students' Office.
SA President Rhett Hobart of Greenville said he and other student leaders "are excited the homecoming poster is becoming a tradition.
"It is a great addition to homecoming festivities and gives students, fans, and alumni a way to commemorate each year's theme," Hobart added.
For more information about Mississippi State University, visit www.msstate.edu.