Art has a way of telling a story long before the artist ever speaks. At this year’s Sanctuary Arts Festival, visitors will have the chance to experience both.
On Saturday, August 1, the Sanctuary Arts Festival will bring together a talented group of Mississippi artists for an evening that celebrates not only their artwork, but the stories behind it. Artist presentations will begin at 6 p.m. at Paragon Bank in Oxford, giving visitors the opportunity to hear firsthand what inspires each artist’s work and the journeys that brought them there.
Featured artists include Sherry Smith, Susan Wellington, Katelyn Harbaugh, Libbie Patterson, Bill Wilson, Lynn Ingram, John Armistead, Lancelot Yates, Bridget Cruz, Vicki Lueb, Mark and Sandi Woods, R. J. Lee, Chelsey George (yes, that’s me), and other participating Mississippi artists.
What makes the Sanctuary Arts Festival unique is its focus on storytelling. Every painting, sculpture, photograph, and mixed-media piece has a story waiting to be told, and this festival gives artists the opportunity to share those stories directly with the people viewing their work. It’s a chance to connect with the artist as much as the art itself.
Whether you’re a longtime collector, someone who simply enjoys discovering local talent, or you’re looking for a meaningful evening in Oxford, your support makes a difference. Events like this help celebrate Mississippi’s creative community and give artists the opportunity to share their work with new audiences.
Come experience an evening of storytelling, creativity, and the artists who make Mississippi’s arts community so vibrant.


