By Mike Phillips
There is a very large painting hanging on the wall in the front room of Syd Bastos’s home. She purchased it several years ago from a remarkable English-born artist who lived in the area for a while.
Syd, in consultation with her family, considered several of the artist’s paintings before deciding to purchase this particularly large canvas. The painting reflects both Syd’s keen aesthetic sense and her willingness to support an artist whose work she believes in.
Syd has recently stepped down as a board member and executive director of Vicksburg Arts.
In 2015, Syd joined what was then the Vicksburg Cultural Arts Center. The mission of the new organization was to create, support, and provide people throughout this community closer access to arts and culture. The Center’s inception was helped along by Syd’s tireless engagement with civic leaders, the Vicksburg Downtown Development Authority, area residents at large, and beyond. At the organization’s onset, Syd was director and Lisa Beams was the gallery manager.
Together they developed an institution that included a network of volunteers and supporters. The Center created exhibits, musical and performance events and a variety of arts programming. The VCAC grew. In 2017, the Center became an IRS-registered nonprofit arts organization with a board, director and dedicated organizational volunteers.
Throughout the past ten years, Syd has been smart and tireless in guiding the VCAC—rebranded last year as Vicksburg Arts. The organization continues to develop creative and inspiring programming serving anyone and everyone throughout the region. Many may be aware of its popular annual programs, such as the youth summer art camps, the Destination Series, and the Tournament of Writers competition. There are also ongoing exhibitions and arts and crafts workshops. Syd has always reached out to youth, seniors and everyone in the middle
Syd has been hands on and inclusive. A few years ago, a former VCAC executive director, Alisha Siebers, had this to say about her: “Anyone who works with Syd feels inspired, uplifted, and cared for.” In summing up her mission objectives and her efforts, Syd simply had this to say, “Art brings the community together.”
Syd isn’t going anywhere.
While she may have backed away from the Vicksburg Arts leadership, she remains an accessible and invaluable resource, supporter and volunteer for the organization. But she also does a lot more. She has been and remains an active member of the Vicksburg Rotary Club. Syd is a volunteer for South County Community Services, providing transportation for people in need of rides to medical appointments. She is a youth mentor for the Vicksburg High School “Strive” program, which is dedicated to improving high school graduation rates. Syd is generous and adept at sharing her skills with children and adults. She maintains a passionate dedication to serving both the arts and this community.
