Mississippi Society of New York City

The Mississippi Society of New York City is delighted to name Gracey Massengill as our 2026 Artist for Mississippi in the Park. Her winning submission, inspired by the theme of "Family Reunion," beautifully captured our hearts with its nostalgic storytelling.

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Meet the Artist

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A Mississippi native now living in New York City, Gracey is a writer and artist who works primarily in oil pastels. Though she began her journey with the medium through a single sketching lesson in 2023, she has since cultivated a unique, self-taught style characterized by "childlike wonder." Her work aims to capture the charm of everyday moments, preserving them through a lens of warmth and appreciation for "the little things."

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The Inspiration

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Gracey’s winning piece is a soulful tribute to her heritage. The composition focuses on a classic Southern tablescape—featuring family reunion essentials like sweet tea, fried chicken, and pound cake—all set beneath a canopy of blooming magnolias.

 

The piece is a masterful exercise in restraint and symbolism, utilizing a strict three-color palette of Nutmeg Brown, Jade Green, and Cobalt Blue. These colors are a direct nod to the iconic McCarty Pottery of Merigold, Mississippi. By incorporating a signature McCarty vase into her drawing, Gracey bridges the gap between family stories of 100+ person family reunions and her current life in NYC.

 

"I’m used to the southern grandmother chic aesthetic... seeing McCarty pottery in a New York apartment makes me feel right at home. If my drawing were to only have three colors, I would choose brown, green, and blue as a nod to that legacy."

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See More of Gracey’s Work

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We encourage you to explore more of Gracey's portfolio and read the full story behind her submission on her Substack:

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• Portfolio: artbygraceym.squarespace.com

• The Story Behind the Art: “Mississippi in the Park” on The Little Things Substack

• Instagram: @artbygraceym