OXFORD, Miss. – A colorful collection of prints portraying
household and botanical imagery is on display at the
University of Mississippi Museum through April 6.
“Home Makeover” is a carefully chosen series of 14
serigraph, relief and digital prints made by Virginia
Rougon Chavis, UM assistant professor of art. A gallery
reception for the artist is scheduled 1:30-3 p.m. March 30.
The museum is located at 5th Street and University Avenue.
A native of Baton Rouge, Chavis was reared by parents who
taught her to appreciate gardening, paying special
attention to native plants, identifying them by their
botanical rather than common plant names.
“The garden is where these prints actually began,” Chavis
said. “I grew several plants from seeds and observed their
growth and development in the earth at different stages. In
the prolonged, quiet process, I was able to record what I
saw through drawing on paper and photography.”
As Chavis moved to computer graphics and digital prints,
she was able to include some of the scientific data to
obtain more visual interest. This technique is depicted in
her prints “Lavenda angustifolva #1,” “Zinnia elegans,”
“Hilianthus annuus” and “Monarda fistulosa.” The botanical
subject matter is also reflected in “In Bloom,”
“Pollenation,” “Waiting for Spring” and “A is for . . .”
Chavis said her parents also taught her to strive to
achieve her goals and to become successful in anything she
attempts. This included earning her master of fine arts
degree from Savannah College of Art and Design, where she
gained experience in teaching typography and production
design. She joined the UM art faculty in 2002.
“For most of my existence, I refused to believe I would
ever want to marry and certainly never have a family as I
thought those things would hold me back in accomplishing my
goals as a professional,” Chavis said. “Eventually, I
changed my mind on both of those ideas and began to look at
life differently. I used to feel as though home was a place
that held me back. Now I can’t wait to get there and see
the new changes that have taken place each day.”
The themes of home and family are reflected in Chavis’
prints “Passion Quilt,” “Snip, Snip, Snip,” “Nurture Me,”
“Home Sweet Home” and “We Are Family.”
Chavis compares recent changes in her life to the changes
in the seasons and printmaking.
“Printing, for me, is the most enjoyable process because of
its unpredictability,” she said. “And just as I had planted
seeds in my garden and covered them with a quilt of soil to
grow in the sun, I wake up each morning with excitement of
what the new day will bring.”
Chavis’ work has won critical approval from those who have
viewed the exhibition.
“The newer work has taken a more vibrant color direction,”
said Albert Sperath, director of University Museum. “Her
botanical subject matter now is similar to the earlier
work, but the colors for me are more exciting.”
Museum hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through
Saturday and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. For more information or
for assistance related to a disability, call 662-915-7073.
To learn more about the University Museum and Historic
Houses, visit