Fall 2023 Showcase Rickets

Swamps often have a negative stigma attached to them, but should you look closer you would realize that they are a complex ecosystem teeming with life. I chose to document the Chakchiuma Swamp in hopes to showcase the wonders of these environments and dispel any misconceptions about them. Most swamps in the South are mistreated and derogatorily labeled as “Dump Lake,” but in reality, they are fascinating places to visit and explore. Through my work, I aim to raise awareness about the life in these swamps hopefully, inspire others to witness the profound beauty that emerges when one ventures into the heart of the swamp.

Hello, my name is Sela Ricketts. I am a visual artist currently located in Oxford, MS. I

graduated from The University of Mississippi with degrees in IMC and Art. In addition to the artistic schooling I received at Ole Miss, I supplemented it with instruction in special effects and naturalist artistic practices. I am now a graduate student at Ole Miss studying film and tourism in the Southern Studies department. While my primary medium is sculpture, I am beginning my foray into film and documentary studies. I’m excited about learning and growing my artistic skill, starting with my short film, Into the Swamp, and I look forward to the narratives I can weave in the future.