OXFORD, Miss. – A bronze bust of world-renowned blues icon B.B. King
has been donated to the University of Mississippi’s Blues Archive by
its creator, award-winning artist William Beckwith of Taylor.
The gift arrived in time for the Sept. 22 formal opening of the
yearlong exhibition “Still Got the Blues: A Silver Anniversary
Exhibition,” celebrating the archive’s 25 years of welcoming visitors
from around the world. The public is invited to the 4-6 p.m. reception
in the Faulkner Room of the J.D. Williams Library.
The bust
is a welcome addition to the archive’s B.B. King Collection, said Greg
Johnson, blues curator and associate professor in the J.D. Williams
Library.
“The timing couldn’t have been more perfect,” Johnson said. “It
is highly appropriate for the bust to be displayed in an exhibit that
celebrates the Blues Archive, which really came to prominence with the
donation of B.B. King’s personal record collection over a
quarter-century ago.”
Beckwith said he donated the bust out of admiration for King and
to pay tribute to him for donating his record collection to the Blues
Archive. After learning that the bust is to be permanently displayed in
the Faulkner Room in close proximity to a bust of William Faulkner by
artist Leon Koury, Beckwith said he couldn’t be more pleased.
“Leon Koury was like a father to me, and I’m proud to be in the
same room with him.” Beckwith said. The two first met when Beckwith was
14 years old, and Koury became his longtime mentor.
Beckwith has produced public and private bronzes for more than
30 years. He is represented in public and private collections
nationwide. His commissioned work includes “B.B. King,” city of
Indianola; “Flag Bearer, Mississippi 11th,” Gettysburg National
Military Park; and “William Faulkner,” Oxford City Hall.
Beckwith’s numerous awards and honors include winner of the
statewide Governor’s Award of Excellence in the Arts in 2001. His
exhibition venues have included Splashlight Studios and Frank Marino
Gallery in New York City, National Museum of American Art in
Washington, D.C., Louisiana World’s Fair in New Orleans and Mississippi
Museum of Art in Jackson.
Originally from Greenville, Beckwith works out of his studio in
Taylor. He also is an adjunct assistant professor of art at Ole Miss.
For more information about the Blues Archive, call Greg Johnson
at 662-915-7753. For assistance related to a disability, call
662-915-7091.