Jackson Free Press

When your kids are with Roz Roy, they are in good hands. As their guide, Roy helps children make art that is personal to them.

"My art tells a story. That's what kids like," Roy says. "I connect with them on their level."

Roy is the visiting artist at the Mississippi Children's Museum during October. Every Saturday in the month, Roy will teach lively art sessions for children to engage and stimulate their creativity and imagination. Although Roy's main medium is fingerpainting, she likes to improvise and incorporate other mediums, such as paper collage, acrylic and watercolor painting, drawing and block-art printmaking. Her sessions at MCM will explore the basic tenants of art—lines, shapes, color and form.

Roy, who makes and sells art from her Fondren studio, Heavenly Design by Roz (3252 N. State St., 601-954-2147), is on the Mississippi Arts Commission's artist roster, which features "professional artists or arts educators who devote a major portion of their time to practicing, performing or teaching their discipline and to training educators," the MAC website states. After a panel of artists, presenters and educators carefully reviewed her artwork, the panel endorsed Roy as a master in her discipline in the community. Roy also teaches art classes in local public and private schools, and holds various camps and private lessons for children. She recently spent time as the artist-in-residence at Boyd Elementary School, after the Fondren Renaissance Foundation made a grant to the school. Roy enjoys working with children, and says the best thing about them is "they are open to new ideas, and they love creating their own art."

Roz Roy teaches at the MCM (2145 Highland Drive, 601-981-5469) every Saturday in October from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Her classes are free with regular admission: $8, or free for infants ages 1 and younger. Visit mississippichildrensmuseum.com for more 
information.