CLEVELAND, Miss. — Delta State University’s Fielding Wright Art Center is proud to present Storied Lives: Earth’s Whispers, the Master of Fine Arts thesis exhibition of artist Bonnie Jean Dillon. The exhibition will be on view from December 8 through January 9, with a public opening reception on December 11 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Storied Lives: Earth’s Whispers features Dillon’s vibrant and contemplative paintings inspired by flowers she encounters in her daily life. Beginning with photographic transfers of real blooms, Dillon transforms these images into layered abstractions that explore themes of identity, purpose, and the shared experiences of life on Earth. Her works invite viewers to consider the quiet, interconnected narratives present in the natural world.
Using acrylic paint alongside fragments of her photography, Dillon infuses each piece with a sense of personality and imagined biography. By linking human activity to the lives of flowers, she suggests a deeper kinship among all living beings, one that transcends simple coexistence. Her dynamic color choices and occasional geometric elements encourage viewers to linger, wonder, and “listen” to the subtle voices reflected in the Earth’s whispers.
Dillon’s artistic vision is rooted in her childhood memories of hours spent coloring with her maternal grandmother and tending family flower gardens and greenhouses. These early experiences nurtured her fascination with color, form, and nature. With steadfast support from loved ones, Dillon has pursued her long-held dream of becoming an artist. Her work is fueled by the joy and fulfillment she finds in sharing her creative interpretations with others.
The Fielding Wright Art Center is located at 1003 W. Sunflower Road on the Delta State University campus in Cleveland, Mississippi. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The gallery is closed on weekends, holidays, and during semester breaks.
For more information, please contact coguz@deltastate.edu or visit www.deltastate.edu
