Senate Concurrent Resolution 541

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MARY KATHARINE LOYACONO MCCRAVEY, AN ICON IN THE WORLD OF ART, UPON HER RECEIPT OF THE 2004 GOVERNOR'S EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS "LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT" AWARD.

WHEREAS, Mary Katharine Loyacono McCravey, an icon in the world of Art, is the recipient of the 2004 Governor's Excellence in the Arts Award in the category of "Lifetime Achievement"; and

WHEREAS, Mary Katharine Knoblock Loyacono McCravey was born on April 1, 1910, in Forest, Mississippi, to Ruben Julius Knoblock, originally from Lafayette, Indiana, and Mary Belle (Tillman) Knoblock, originally from Magnolia, Mississippi. She first studied Art in her junior year of high school, 1926-1927, and later graduated from Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1932 with majors in Art and Spanish. However, the desperate times of the Great Depression afforded no opportunities for any career, especially in Art or Spanish. After college, McCravey worked with the W.P.A., establishing libraries in Scott County, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, by 1937, Jackson Public Schools began to offer Art classes and McCravey took a job teaching Art at Enochs Junior High School. She later transferred to Central High School in Jackson, where she taught until 1945, and then she transferred to Provine High School, where she taught until 1968. During these years, she served with dedication to instruct and inspire many of the state's most recognized and accomplished artists; and

WHEREAS, she has studied at the University of Chicago, the Art Institute of Chicago, the University of Colorado, the Art Colony in Rockport at Cape Ann, Massachusetts, and the Art Colony of Taos in New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, McCravey's painting career began while she was teaching at Central High School and was invited by Richard McRae to exhibit and sell her work, along with other outstanding local artists at his newly built department store in the Meadowbrook area of Jackson. She signed those early paintings "Loyacono" and, after the exhibit, went on to create paintings that were admired and sought after by her colleagues in the world of Art and were in great demand by the general public as well; and

WHEREAS, an icon in the world of Art, McCravey has been featured in many exhibitions, honored with many one-woman shows and is included in museum, corporate, school, college, library and private collections across the South and nation; and

WHEREAS, in 1968, her marriage to W.D. "Bill" McCravey took her back to Forest, Mississippi, and, for the past 24 years, she has painted primarily for exhibits and has fully donated her artwork to fundraising events; and

WHEREAS, many charitable organizations have been enriched through her generous contributions. McCravey's graciousness and generosity earned her, along with Bill, a 1986 recognition as "Citizen of the Year" by the Forest Chamber of Commerce. In 1987, Forest Community Arts proclaimed Mary Katharine McCravey Day; and one of her most cherished honors was being acclaimed "1972 Belhaven Alumnus of the Year," 40 years after her graduation; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the unique talents and charitable public service of this citizen who has brought honor to her community and to the State of Mississippi:NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Mary Katharine Loyacono McCravey, an icon in the world of Art whose generous contributions of Art to charitable causes is legendary, upon her receipt of the 2004 Governor's Excellence in the Arts "Lifetime Achievement" Award, and wish her and her family success in their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Mrs. McCravey at induction ceremonies on February 13, 2004, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.