By Staff
Aug. 15, 2001
Mississippi's third exhibition of international culture the Majesty of Spain runs through Sept. 3 in Jackson. It is worth visiting.
When you go over, say hello to three volunteers from Decatur who have spent countless hours directing visitors and doing other jobs since the exhibition opened. Shelby Harris and Carol and Ovid Vickers make visitors welcome to an exhibition sponsors say has not attracted enough Mississippians. They will help make your visit pleasant.
They are among 1,300 volunteers who staff the galleries at the exhibit, the people referred to as the exhibit's "human face" by Jack L. Kyle, executive director of the Mississippi Commission for International Cultural Exchange.
The exhibit tells the story of the majesty of Spain in art and architecture, design and decoratives, including tapestries, sculpture, porcelains, bronzes, armaments, thrones, ivories, religious items and costumes. What's truly majestic: three room recreations, including the Porcelain Room from the Royal Palace of Aranjuez decorated from top to bottom walls and ceilings  with porcelain monkeys, fruits and flowers and Chinese figures.
The doors are open from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, with the last tour at 8 p.m. daily. Tickets are $15 for adults; $14 for seniors 60 and older; $10 for college/university students with I.D. and $5 for children/youth (infants-age 18). Tickets are issued for a specific date and time and each includes an audio tour. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 877-709-2639.
If a price could be placed on the voluntary contributions of people like Harris and the Vickers, it would be in the millions of dollars. They give freely of their time and resources.