Ridgeland Arts & Crafts

A must for our visitors is a stop at the Mississippi Crafts Center, which serves as a monument to the skill and hard work of Mississippi artisans. Operated by the Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi, the works of more than 150 guild members are offered for sale or public admiration. These fine Southern crafts include vivid Choctaw baskets and pottery, old-fashioned quilts, carvings in natural wood and an eclectic array of jewelry. This unique attraction serves as an information center as well as the site of craft classes and demonstrations. 

Gail Pittman Studio and Outlet features original designs of hand-painted dinnerware and accessories. Influenced by work from Italy and Portugal, Gail Pittman began making ceramic pieces as gifts, then later for sale in 1979. In the early 1980's, she began participating in the Canton, Mississippi, Flea Market where people from all parts of the country buy hand-crafted goods from the artisans. During most of the early 1980's, Gail produced her craft on the kitchen table at home. In late 1986, it was decided that the business, although small by most standards, was too big to continue out of her house. Therefore, the decision was made to expand her business to employ over 100 people in a newly expanded facility of 50,000 sq. ft.

B. Liles Studio is where you can start building your one-of-a-kind jewelry "wardrobe" with this handcrafted selection of fine art jewelry. Pieces can be mixed and matched to achieve a variety of looks, from bluejean casual to dazzling formal and everything in between. Color takes shape with metals, silver and gold, along with gem stones, pearls, and many other natural objects. All of these ingredients provide the sometimes subtle, sometimes inspiring, and often surprising color combinations that are key features in this artists' work. You can visit the retail store and working studio at 206 West Jackson Street in Ridgeland.