Young Vidalia artist named winner of Natchez Balloon Festival artwork contest

NATCHEZ — A starting senior at Vidalia High School has been named the winner of the 2024 artwork contest for the 39th annual Natchez Balloon Festival.

Jillian Birely said she had no plans of entering the art contest before a friend told her about it last summer. As a Miss-Lou native she has regularly attended the Natchez Balloon Festival but never heard of the art competition until this year, she said.

“I didn’t know what I would do at all. She told me to just start putting something on paper. At school, I sketch and doodle a lot. I was just doodling on a pad of paper and saw it come together,” she said.

The Natchez Balloon Festival Committee received over 80 entries for the artwork contest, said Carter Burns, Executive Director of the Historic Natchez Foundation.

“It was a difficult decision and we are excited about Jillian’s artwork being featured on the t-shirts and posters for this year’s festival. Festival tickets are now on sale online and at the Historic Natchez Foundation.”

Birely said she wound up creating a bunch of different versions of the art before deciding on which she liked best.

“I started with the giant balloon and the bridge came later,” she said. “I liked the lines for the water and thought it was a nice touch. I wanted it to look old-timey to represent Natchez because Natchez is historic. I chose dull colors because it was for the fall and I didn’t want it too bright. I didn’t know what colors I wanted and wound up picking red white and blue I think just because it was July 4 when I was coloring.”

It was also her first-ever piece created digitally using a program called Procreate. She is used to creating realistic sketches of mostly people and a few places including a cityscape.

“I’ve been drawing since I could hold a pencil,” she said.

It took at least three days for the art to come together, she said.

“It was about six or seven-hour periods of drawing at a time. Not many days but a long amount of time,” she said.

She is the daughter of Holly and Dustin Birely and attends Faith Tabernacle Church. Birely is also a member of DECA, Key Club and Beta Club.

When she graduates, Birely said “I want to continue my art career but also go into medical school to become a CRNA. I’ve been thinking a lot about going to Co-Lin or LA tech.”

Art has been her main hobby whether it’s through music or drawing or creating things with her hands, she said.

“I play piano and I’ve also tried guitar and bass, video games and crocheting. I’ve tried it all,” she said.

The Natchez Balloon Festival will take place Friday, Oct. 18, and Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Bicentennial Garden on the grounds of the historic Rosalie Mansion.

Weekend passes are $40, Friday tickets are $20, and Saturday tickets are $35. Children ten and under get in free.  A detailed schedule for the weekend activities will be released soon.

The Natchez Balloon Festival, established in 1986, is a weekend of hot air balloons and outstanding live music that has become the longest-running festival in Southwest Mississippi.

“We thank our major sponsors for supporting the festival: Visit Natchez, United Mississippi Bank, Magnolia Bluffs Casino, Budweiser/Southwest Distributors, Coca-Cola, Scott Petroleum, Hampton Inn & Suites, and Holiday Inn Express & Suites,” Burns said.

For more information, visit the Natchez Balloon Festival website at www.natchezballoonfestival.com .

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