PRCC student takes first place in Arts League show

POPLARVILLE – Jane Beard of Poplarville, an art student at Pearl River Community College, won a first place award during the Pearl River County Arts League 2012 Spring Show and Festival.Beard was honored for her mixed media painting of her Arabian horse, Leader of the Band.A retired nurse, Beard has been taking classes with PRCC art instructor Charleen Null for 18 months.Eventually, Id like to get a degree, she said. She has taken drawing I and II, painting I and II and six special studio classes.Ive been using oils since I was little, she said. This is the first time Ive tried other media.Beard prefers working in oils and pastels.She a non-traditional student who has loved art for many years and decided she wanted to perfect her art, Null said. She quite talented and is progressing very well.In addition to nursing and and her art, Beard also raised Arabian horses for more than 25 years.I bred to sell but we showed them, too, she said. Leader of the Band is currently with a trainer near Meridian.The Arts League show was held March 23-25 in Picayune.