Kit Whitsett Fields has been selected as the official artist for the 11th USA IBC. Fields’ painting—to be featured on the commemorative poster, program and other promotional materials—will be revealed at a fall press conference to announce details of the June 10-23, 2018, competition.
“I never considered that I would actually be part of the USA IBC as the artist─especially with so many great artists here,” said Fields, a Jackson, Mississippi, native. “It is very humbling. Nothing is as exciting as watching the best dancers in the world competing here in Jackson. I am so proud that this spectacular competition is held in our city and state.”
The 2018 artist was selected by a committee made up of USA IBC board and community members and art professionals. Fifteen Mississippi artists were invited to submit sketches for consideration, and six artists responded with their work.
Fields began painting professionally in 1995 and has studied with renowned and accomplished artists. Her work has been juried into and received awards in multiple local and regional shows, including the Southern Watercolor Society, Mississippi Grand National Exhibition and the Mississippi Watercolor Society. She is a signature member of the Mississippi Watercolor Society and Southern Watercolor Society, as well as a member of the Jackson Watercolor Group and the Gaddis Group. Often depicting scenes of everyday life in the south, her pieces are displayed in public, corporate and private collections.
The tradition of showcasing a Mississippi artist’s work on USA IBC materials began in 1990, when Eleanor Greaves’ painting of dance costumes (including a tutu of founder Thalia Mara) was featured. Other official artists have included Mississippians Lynn Green Root, William Baggett, Kennith Humphrey, P. Sanders McNeal, Brent Funderburk and Andrew Bucci.