Fall 2024 Showcase Farese
Ellis Farese
Spaces in the South: North Mississippi Hill Country Identity
North Mississippi Hill Country (NMHC) lies between the Appalachian and Delta regions and their respective cultural environments. Although some of NMHC’s cultural features were borne out of the interaction between Appalachia and the Delta, and geography and topography reflect this intersection, this region of Mississippi is more than a sum of parts. NMHC posses its own heritage that amounts to more than a culmination of neighboring regions. However, when analyzing NMHC’s identity, it is essential to address the surrounding regional areas that have helped craft its distinct culture, land, and vibrancy.
Ellis Farese is a student at the University of Mississippi pursuing a BFA in creating writing. Ellis grew up in Oxford, Mississippi. Growing up in the Deep South in the early 2000s, and staying here into adulthood has led her to cling to themes such as womanhood, kinship, the South, growth, independence, and loss. She is committed to thoughtful storytelling through poetry, and now photography. Her ambitions and work constantly develop as she grows into adulthood. Her dedication to telling real stories exemplifies my effort to encourage others to grow into their own narratives and find peace within their lives. By practicing self-expression through poetry, she was honored to receive the 2023 Evans-Harrington Creative Writing Award from the University of Mississippi for her poem “Ode to Muscadines.” The award is granted to an undergraduate student who shows promise in creative writing.