Malcolm White, director of the Mississippi Arts Commission, discusses how to build creative economy assets during the third annual Creative Economy Workshop held Feb. 23 at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Perkinston Campus.

The Stone County Economic Development Partnership, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and the Mississippi Creative Economy sponsored the third annual Creative Economy Workshop on February 23, at the Community Arts Center on the MGCCC Perkinston Campus. More than 65 participants enjoyed a day of sharing and learning about creating a creative economy in Stone County.

Featured speakers included Tonya Sanders Hays, director of Wings and writer of the two “Telling Trees” plays featuring Stone County stories; Rick Wilemon, curator at William Carey University, painter, and sculptor; and Bethany Byrd, online marketing expert and founder of Own Your Hill marketing agency.

Robert St. John, chef, restaurateur and author, was the luncheon keynote speaker. The Ultimate Panel Discussion followed with St. John, Malcolm White, director of the Mississippi Arts Commission, and Wyatt Waters, watercolorist and author.