The Mississippi Crafts Center is one of two key attractions in Jackson. It’s located at 950 Rice Road, Ridgeland, MS 39157, right off the Natchez Trace Parkway. (Ridgeland is adjacent to Jackson’s north side.) The Center is housed in a new 20,000 sq. ft. facility and displays the work of over 400 artisans from 19 states. The building itself is very pleasant: airy, open, and filled with natural light. It can be rented for special occasions (weddings, etc.), including the large front patio. The Center is run by “the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi, an organization of craftsmen and others interested in preserving and promoting the folk, traditional and contemporary crafts of Mississippi and in encouraging the highest standard of excellence in these crafts.” (quote from the Center’s brochure). The Guild offers educational demonstrations by Master Craftsmen most weekends and several annual events. The day we visited, a small blue grass band was pickin’ and strummin’ in the front patio, using classic instruments.
Inside, the displayed works of art were created in many different materials – cloth, clay, wood, metal, etc., and painted works. The caliber of craftsmanship was VERY high. A few pieces weren’t for sale but most were – the prices were appropriate to the quality of work – moderate to high but not unreasonable, thus making this a shopping destination! (I restrained myself – living in a motor home automatically puts the “kibosh” on indiscriminate purchases!) I didn’t find the work to be “traditional”. I guess I expected the Mississippi equivalent to Appalachian crafts.
We would definitely recommend a visit to this Center!! It’s across the street from Ross Barnett Reservoir. There are restaurants nearby, marinas, and green space. It’s minutes from downtown Jackson and very near access to and from the Natchez Trace Parkway. It’s open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Easter Sunday. The phone number is 601-856-7546.
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