The Meridian Artists Co-Op is a group of artists and interested who are dedicated to creating a greater community awareness of the arts and art-related events. We are a non-profit, volunteer-run organization. We offer exhibits, openings, lectures, workshops, and demonstrations.

A. Membership in the Co-Op is open to visual artists who meet the standards set; subscribe to the objectives and purposes of the Co-Op; pay any applicable dues and fees; meet membership commitment requirements; and agree to abide by the policies, rules and guidelines of the Co-Op.

B. Standards of Meridian Artists' Co-Op: To qualify for membership, an artist must demonstrate a dedicated commitment to the visual arts through continued production and exhibition of his/her visual art medium and a dedication to the creative community through participation in local art events.

C. Types of Membership:

1. Regular Active Membership:

Artists are expected to commit to a regular, monthly 7 hour shift working the Co-Op Gallery. Gallery hours are 10 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. This time may be split into 2 half days per month, 10am to 1:30 pm or 1:30 pm to 5 pm. You will be trained in opening and closing of the Co-Op and any other pertinent procedures. If you have a preference of days you may schedule your request with the Scheduling Chairperson, Doris McKinney (601-479-8283/601-693-1810/ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

A regular membership will have a $50 Signup fee. There is also a $35 monthly maintenance fee to help cover operating costs of the gallery and the website. This can also be paid as $25 @ month instead of the $50 upfront and $20@mo.

Artists will also be expected to contribute time and expertise by joining one of the several committees that help in the running the Co-Op. Active participation is strongly encouraged through membership meetings, openings, and various events.

2. Inactive Membership:

Regular Active members can go to an "Inactive" Status Membership for a period of Not Less Than six (6) months. The monthly maintenance fee must be up-to-date before going to Inactive status and do not have to be paid during the inactive period, nor will member be scheduled to work, nor be required to do any committee work during this time. Member will not be able to display artwork in Artists' Gallery, but can display on website E-Gallery. A Regular Active member will be allowed to go "Inactive" only once every 3 years and will lose membership voting rights until he or she comes back Active.

3. Auxiliary Membership:

An Auxiliary membership has all the privileges of an Active Membership, except for the difference in fees. An Auxiliary member is not required to work at the Co-Op, nor be on any Committees. The fees for an Auxiliary Membership are $50 Signup fee, $45 monthly maintenance fees.

4. Student Membership:

The student membership gives students a break on membership fees, but requires that they commit more time at the gallery. The member must be a certified student with Student ID. Must be 18 years of age. Signup fee will be $25 and the monthly fee will be $10.

Students are required to work 2 days or 4 HALF days each month. Students are not required to be on committees, unless they want to.

If member cannot make his/her scheduled work commitment, IT IS THE MEMBER'S RESPONSIBILITY to ensure that a replacement is scheduled to work in his/her place.

• Participating in Gallery Openings each year
• Display space in the physical gallery and the website E-Gallery to give your artwork exposure to a wide audience. The number of pieces you can display on our website is unlimited.
• Representation in shows sponsored by or participated in by the Meridian Artists' Co-Op
• Voting rights and a say in how our organization is run and what it does
• Networking and interacting with an eclectic array of artists -painters, sculptors, potters, photographers, jewelers, etc. and exchanging inspiration, encouragement, mentoring, critiquing, etc., with them
• The website contains special information on local events, workshops, classes, etc.
• Participating in classes and workshops given by the Co-Op
• Use of all Co-op facilities

• All artwork must enhance the quality of the Gallery and will meet the following standards:
• No pornography, obscene or art depicting human violence.
• All framed art must be wired for hanging. No saw tooth or other type of hangers.
• Frames must be in good condition; no splits, cracks, or scratches, etc.
• Mats will be clean, cleanly cut with appropriate backing.
• Glass will be clean, secure and without scratches.
• Artwork will be properly backed and mounted in their frames, do not use masking tape.
• Sculpture/pottery may be presented with its own pedestal or use what is available at the Artists Gallery.
• All artwork must be original; no copyright infringements. Originality certificate label will be signed by artist and affixed to all artwork BEFORE it will be displayed in Co-Op Artists' Gallery. 3-D artists will sign a
  Certificate of Originality to be kept on file at Co-Op.
• All small pieces (jewelry, etc) will be packaged for display. Artists will provide their own display stands.

The Co-op will be run by its members and volunteers. All efforts will be made to have a minimum of two (2) Co-Op workers on duty during regular hours.

Special event hours will be announced on a case by case basis and will be filled by volunteer workers. Special events and Committee work will be in addition to member's regular work commitment. Members commit to requirements for type membership joined as outlined in Membership Responsiblities Section.

Members duties at Co-Op will include, but not be limited to the following: Greeting customers, showing and explaining the displayed art work, making coffee, keeping gallery and studio neat and clean in appearance. Making sure that Co-Op is locked up and secure at end of day. Active participation is strongly encouraged through membership meetings, openings, and various events.

Members are encouraged and some memberships require members to contribute time and expertise by joining one of the several committees that help in the running of the Gallery.

Failure to pay fees in a timely manner and failure to live up to membership commitments, can be grounds for termination of membership by Articles of Corporation and Bylaws.

The Co-Op is not responsible for the loss, damage, or theft of individual pieces of art work. All possible care will be exercised for the security of artwork and in the handling of artwork, but neither the Meridian Artists' Co-Op, its Artists' Gallery, its members, personnel, the group/committee member(s) in charge of displaying the work, nor the host business (or host site) will be held responsible for any loss, theft, or damage to any artwork, including those in shows or displays. Member can insure their individual artwork by getting a supplemental to their homeowners insurance. The Gallery will have an alarm system.

No food or alcohol will be sold on premises. (The one exception will be the drinks in the refrigerator.)

The members who are working the Co-op can work on their art while in between customers - We feel that this will be a draw to the public to come and see our artists at work -to actually see a piece of artwork being created that they can possibly purchase at a future date!

Number of pieces each member is allowed to display in the Artists' Gallery will depend on the size and mass of the artwork and the space available in gallery. The Co-op will attempt to be fair and equitable in this matter. However, as of now, there will be no restrictions on the number of pieces that you can have displayed on the Co-op website.

Future plans of the Co-op include a studio area where members can come to work on their art, a matting and framing room, a photography room, classrooms, student and Visiting Artist Exhibition Hall, juried shows with prizes, student scholarships and many more plans to help educate and promote our local artists.

For a PDF copy of our Membership Application, please CLICK HERE.