Richard Hays says, “Art bubbles up out of the center of our being. The more fully we acknowledge God’s creative power, the more freely we will celebrate the creative expression through which we respond to God.”

The Phyllis Downey Gallery in University Baptist Church was established in 2014 thanks to the generosity of the Downey family. Since then, the gallery has hosted many exhibitions, among them the work of watercolorist Tommie Hollingsworth Williams, digital photographer Marvin Kendrick, Jr., and architect John Kochtitzky. Each year we show works by art students at William Carey University and The University of Southern Mississippi. Recently we have initiated relationships with Thames Elementary School and Hattiesburg High School and have featured works by students at those schools.

The mission of Phyllis Downey Gallery is to support artists in Hattiesburg and the surrounding communities by inviting them to exhibit their work in the Gallery at University Baptist Church. Art expresses wonder; art expands the imagination; art evokes compassion. Wonder, imagination, compassion: ingredients of a mature faith and fearless spirituality.

Fall 2023 Shows

Introducing Alysen Matthews

Alysen Matthews, UBC’s current Artist-in-Residence

        August 9-September 6

        Opening Reception, Sunday, August 13, 2-4 pm

Another Simply Perfect Show

The Women’s Art Collective of Hattiesburg

        September 20-October 18

        Opening Reception, Sunday, September 24, 2-4 pm

Native American Art and Artifacts: A Southeastern Perspective

Tammy Greer and associates

        October 25-November 30

        Opening Reception, Wednesday, November 1, 6:30 pm

Previous Art Exhibits

Portraits of the Pandemic by Steve Derrick

Mary Rebecca Schloegel, Holly Boone, and Morgan Clark: Impressions and Imagination

Dallas Gorbett: Photography and Poetry