Volunteer of the Month

Photo credit: Becca Swann

The Starkville Area Arts Council is an organization consisting of many members and volunteers who dedicate their time for the benefit of the arts.  We feel that it is important to recognize our volunteers and we would like to acknowledge one volunteer each month and thank them for their service.  Today we would like to recognize Jay Reed. 
 
Jay received his bachelor’s in pharmacy from the University of Mississippi in 1991 and currently works as a compounding pharmacist in Starkville.  Reed spent ten years living in the Middle East in the early 2000’s, but returned to Starkville in 2009.  During his time abroad, Reed discovered his love of food and food writing, which would lead to him writing a food column for the Starkville Daily News and for “Eat. Drink. Mississippi” magazine.  Additionally, Reed is a former member of the Community Market Board, a community group leader at First Baptist Church in Starkville, and a member of Southern Foodways Alliance. 
 
Jay first became involved with SAAC around 5 years ago when he was asked to help with the Taste of Starkville, part of the Cotton District Arts Festival.  Since then, Jay has been increasingly involved by co-chairing Taste of Starkville, helping with other events such as the annual SAAC Membership party, Everything Home and Garden Expo’s Backyard Gourmet Grill Off, and chairing Forks and Corks. 

​As chair of the upcoming event Forks and Corks, Jay had this to say about the event, “Ultimately it is a major fundraiser for all the good things that SAAC does in the community related to the arts.  But it also gives a chance for our local chefs to show their culinary artistry in a setting where hundreds of community members who love food get to experience that creativity.  In that respect, it an art show of it’s own.”  This year’s Forks and Corks will be held on August 13th at The Mill. For tickets to the event, click here. 
 
Jay has dedicated many long hours to SAAC and when asked why he does, he had this to say, “The arts are essential for a vibrant and healthy community.  I grew up in Starkville and remember going to all kinds of concerts, taking art classes, and playing my drums in a variety of settings.  I may not have appreciated it as much when I was younger, but I’m thankful now that people in Starkville cared enough to make those things happen for me.   Now that I’m back in town as a grown-up, I want to do my part to make sure others have the same opportunities.”  Such great attitudes from our volunteers are what make our organization work and for that we are grateful for Jay and all that he does!  For more information on how you can become a volunteer, click here.