Utica Residents, leadership of the Town of Utica, Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Centers, and Mississippi Center for Cultural Production came together on Saturday, March 9th, 2024 to formally launch the Homegrown Utica Initiative. 

The celebration featured food, a local DJ, Gavin Bird – a muralist hearing stories from the community to design a new community mural, Alexis McGrigg – a Utica artist and 2023 SouthArts Mississippi Fellow for Visual Arts, tours of the Sipp Culture farm, and family art activities. 

The event launched the branding of the initiative and kickstart programming leading up to the Homegrown Utica Fest held on Main Street July 27, 2024. Homegrown Utica celebrates the rich legacy of rural self-determination and artistic voice in the Utica community. 

Homegrown Utica is a part of Arts for EveryBody, a national initiative bringing together 18 towns and cities across the country to celebrate the connection between arts and health through large-scale, site-specific art projects and events on July 27. 

Leading up to July 27, Homegrown Utica will be facilitating three public art projects, hosting an artist in residency at Utica Elementary/Middle School, and hosting workshops with the Utica Food Club. 

Members of the food club, artists, and Community Advisory Committee members attended the event along with Homegrown Utica’s cultural strategist, daniel johnson.