Mississippi Celebrates Architecture 2013
This post was written by architect Katie Lightsey. Katie served as Reception Coordinator for the MCA 2013 Committee.
The Mississippi Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) focuses on the development and advancement of the architecture profession through education, advocacy, and community.
Mississippi Celebrates Architecture is an event established by MAIA to provide educational opportunities to the design community as well as share design with anyone with an appreciation for the built environment. It is a wonderful way to celebrate architecture in Mississippi while sharing our love for the profession with each other and friends.
This year’s MCA2013 was a great success and truly met the objective of sharing design with the greater community. The event consisted of three parts: an educational symposium, a student and adult art competition, and the design awards gala.
The symposium took place at Duling Hall in the heart of Jackson’s Fondren neighborhood on October 17, 2013. Speakers included Brad Cloepfil of Allied Works Architecture, Jane Weinzapfel of Leers Weinzapfel Associates, and Scott Erdy of Erdy McHenry Architecture.
The speakers shared information about their firms, practice, work and architectural philosophies. The crowd was able to ask questions and the presentations fueled some interesting discussions. Following the symposium, participants were welcomed at a gallery reception at The Cedars to see the artwork that had been submitted in the student competition.
The competition was part of the MCA Outreach program, and the Fondren Renaissance Foundation partnered with MCA to host. Students from around the city were invited to participate in a photography competition in which they were asked to photograph edges and boundaries. They wrote essays to further explain the photos and those works were then displayed for public gallery viewing.
The work was impressive and inspiring. Sharing this design opportunity with the community is a prime example of the work MCA is trying to accomplish; this kind of competition improves the creative lives of our community as well as our professional members.
Mississippi Celebrates Architecture culminated with the grand Gala Reception at Duling Hall. Architects, designers, clients, city officials, and community leaders gathered to celebrate as the AIA Design Awards were announced. Hosting the award reception in conjunction with MCA was a terrific way to share the experience with those who help make these projects possible. The crowd was able to learn about each award-winning project and members were able to celebrate together.
MCA 2013 was definitely a big hit and the Mississippi Chapter of the American Institute of Architects is proud to say that MCA is well on its way to becoming a signature event for Mississippi.