Mexia Artistic Collaborative Seeks to Revitalize Local Arts Scene

Local murder mystery dinner theatre, art exhibitions, musicals, open mic nights and more could now be possible through the Mexia Artistic Collaborative (MAC).
Attendance was low at the first official MAC meeting, held at Mexia First Assembly on Thursday, July 11. However, that didn’t stop MAC Executive Director Jermaine Burks, who led the meeting, from putting on a show. He briefly shared his extensive background in theater, recounting a pivotal moment in high school when his theater director inspired him by acknowledging the courage required to perform on stage. This experience fueled his passion for supporting performers and artists.
The Mexia Artistic Collaborative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization formed to revitalize the local arts scene and raise funds to support the community. Burks discussed the need for something vibrant in Mexia, recognizing the town's many talented individuals. Despite past efforts being disrupted by the pandemic, he explained he has been talking with others, including Sunday Crider, to get the initiative back on track. He reiterated their mission to unite Mexia through the arts, offering opportunities in theater, visual arts, and music to “foster creativity, celebrate diversity, and ignite community spirit.”
Burks introduced the current board members of the collaborative, including his wife Wendy Burks, Scott Batts (MISD One Act Play director), Dr. Jodie Maki (Mexia High School English teacher), and Audrey Waddles (Mexia High School art teacher). Burks mentioned their efforts to expand the board, seeking a few more members to bring the total to ideally seven or nine. They plan to develop an application process for interested individuals.
He also clarified that none of the board members are getting paid and that any surplus funds will go toward scholarships for local students, particularly those interested in the arts, to assist with smaller expenses like textbooks and supplies. Batts mentioned they did not set a ceiling on the scholarship amount, allowing it to start small and grow over time.
The MAC’s goals include building a community of artists and bringing quality entertainment to Mexia. Burks pointed out the limited entertainment options in town, especially outside football season, and saw this as an opportunity to fill that gap. He emphasized  their efforts were not in competition with the school district but aimed to support and enhance students' involvement in the arts. He mentioned opportunities for students to gain experience, making them better prepared for school events and performances.
Although Burks' theater background often led him to focus on plays, he expressed a desire to explore broader artistic activities Mexia residents might want. He mentioned some events the board has considered hosting, like murder mystery dinner theatre, an art gallery, and an open mic night to provide various artistic opportunities and create a fun, engaging environment for the community. He proposed an annual musical theater production to alleviate the pressure on school programs and involve more community members.
Batts emphasized the importance of sustaining momentum and quality in their productions, expressing concern about “not letting their efforts fizzle out after a big initial splash.” He stressed the importance of rotating leadership and cast members to keep things fresh while maintaining a reliable crew.
Both Burks and Batts emphasized the importance of finding dedicated individuals willing to contribute their skills and time behind the scenes, from technical support to set design and management. They also discussed the potential to reconnect with former community members who have moved away but still have ties to the area and experience in community theater.
They discussed fundraising strategies, envisioning sponsorship opportunities where businesses support productions in exchange for publicity.
Batts jokingly suggested, "Fiddler on the Roof, brought to you by Home Depot."
The directors were committed to transparency and community involvement, welcoming questions and feedback via a Facebook page and email. They acknowledged the learning curve of running the initiative and expressed enthusiasm for future projects, including potentially organizing more events based on community interest.
The next meeting and any other important dates for the collaborative will be in The Mexia News and Groesbeck Journal community calendar as they are made available. You can contact the collaborative via email at mexiaartisticcollab@outlook.com .