By: CA Staff Writer | April 15, 2025
Clarksdale, Mississippi – Clarksdale, MS – A remarkable piece of artwork has captured the spirit of the Mississippi Delta and earned top honors at this year’s Juke Joint Festival. Renesha Mathis, a talented student artist, was awarded the prestigious “Best of Show” title for her entry titled “Landmarks” during the 2025 Juke Joint Festival Art Show.
Mathis’s painting is a vibrant collage of iconic Clarksdale locations, including the New Roxy Theater, Greyhound Bus Station, Ground Zero Blues Club, and the Delta Blues Museum—all brought together with the symbolic Highway 61 and 49 signs at the heart of the piece. The artwork blends architectural charm and Delta blues history, representing both the town’s legacy and its ongoing cultural significance.
Representing CHS and currently in the 12th grade, Mathis showcased not only technical skill, but deep community awareness. Her work was a crowd favorite, earning the purple ribbon for Best of Show and proudly displayed on a standing easel adorned with purple ribbon.
The Juke Joint Festival continues to serve as a platform to spotlight emerging local artists, and this year’s exhibit affirmed that the future of Delta art is in great hands. Congratulations to Renesha Mathis for honoring her hometown through such a powerful and creative lens.
Photo Credit: Dave Houston
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