Born in Trinidad and growing up in Barbados, Starkville High School art teacher Ashia Gandy remembers always finding ways to be creative.
Now, she is still bringing that same spirit to her artwork – pottery inspired by the Mississippi license plate.
“In Barbados, we have this thing where if you don’t have something, that does not mean that you stop,” Gandy said. “You just find another way to get what you want. We say, ‘If you don’t have a horse, ride a cow.’”
From the age of 2 to 19, Gandy lived in Barbados. In childhood, she remembers building dollhouses using anything she could find around the house, including furnishing those houses.
After high school, she moved to Florida to be close to her father. There, she enrolled in Sheridan Vocational School for an education in computer-aided drafting.
Gandy worked at Ameristeel in computer aided drafting for about four years before moving to Mississippi at age 26. She initially moved to Starkville to be closer to her sister, but eventually, she met her husband Reginald.
Once in Mississippi, she attended East Mississippi Community College for two years, Mississippi University for Women for a semester, and eventually, Mississippi State University. Along the way, she had two sons.
After graduating, Gandy became a teacher’s assistant at Henderson Ward Stewart Elementary and found a love for it. She only worked in graphic design for less than six months, realizing she preferred teaching.
Gandy worked as a substitute teacher until she earned her teaching license. Then she taught in Noxubee County for two years before ultimately landing in the art teacher role at Starkville High School in 2010.
“My favorite part of teaching is the light I see in students’ eyes when they either get the concept or when they actually do something or create something that they didn’t think they were capable of doing, when they start believing in themselves,” Gandy said.
Gandy said that she wants her students to know that art can be used in multiple ways. She wants to expose her students to all the possibilities an art career has to offer, from traditional artistry to design and more.
“I hope I can help them believe in themselves, to see that even if you came in not knowing, you are capable of learning and capable of doing, capable of achieving,” Gandy said. “I want to encourage them to believe in themselves. They don’t have to pick an art career, but believe that you can do whatever it is you put your mind to.”
Darien Spann, career-technical education director at Starkville High School, said Gandy adds stability to the school. He also said that Gandy’s excitement to share art with the students is evident in her work.
“I think what really stands out is her commitment to this craft, her commitment to learning more,” Spann said. “She’s an expert in what she does.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when Gandy was stuck in her house, she started experimenting with her own art. While she had worked with pottery in the past, along with acrylics and watercolors, the time at home made Gandy find the inspiration for her Mississippi license plate-themed pieces.
Gandy was cleaning out the garage one day when she discovered an expired white license plate. From there, she got the idea to incorporate the bold Mississippi emblem on her pottery, and continued to work on this design. Later, when the Mississippi flag changed, she incorporated the magnolia design into her collection as well.
She makes pottery from cups to platters with Mississippi displayed on the front. She said this set of art really allows her to express her pride for the state.
“It’s a great place to be despite all of our challenges,” Gandy said. “You know, we’re still here. We’re still living life and enjoying it. So there is good in everything.”
Gandy started displaying her work in stores, including at the Idea Shop and the Starkville Area Arts Council on Main Street. While the SAAC office is relocating, Gandy’s work is also displayed on her website.
Gandy said art has been a vital second language for her that is almost like breathing, but she said her process is always about improvement.
Looking back at her time in Barbados, Gandy said she learned from the community how to always persevere. But living in so many different places has meant she has gotten to carry different cultures with her wherever she goes.
“Everybody watched out for each other (in Barbados),” Gandy said. “It was a good community to grow up in because everybody looked out for the other person… I think that’s why Mississippi is such a good fit for me because it gives you more of that sense of where I started from in Barbados.”
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 35 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
