Del Rendon was a regionally-known rock-and-roll artist who for 20 years was the driving force in the Starkville music scene. He died suddenly in 2005 at age 40, which means he’s been gone almost as long as he performed, yet his influence and inspiration endure through the foundation which bears his name.
The Del Rendon Foundation was established by the artist’s family and friends shortly after his passing to honor his memory and provide support for music and arts he loved. The annual DelFest is one of the Golden Triangle’s most popular music and arts festivals, but the foundation continues to look for ways to expand the arts in the community.
Over the years, the foundation has sponsored the Cotton District Art Festival Songwriter Showcase and regularly supports the Children’s Art in the Park event. The foundation has given more than $100,000 for its art scholarship and continues supporting Starkville through DelFest, its primary fundraiser.
For the past 17 years, the foundation has operated on-the-fly, so to speak. It now has a permanent home, a combination headquarters and art gallery located at 100 GT Thames Drive in Starkville. A permanent location for the foundation will no doubt be of great value, but it is the art gallery that represents the next logical step for the group, creating a space where artists can show their work for extended periods of time. Prints of Del’s own artwork will be available in the space, but the gallery is primarily designed to help local artists sell their art. The gallery will officially open Friday and will be open regularly on Fridays and Saturdays.
The building and furnishings were donated to the foundation, so it can continue to spend the money it raises on promoting the arts.
That the community has embraced the foundation and the work it does says a lot about the community itself.
That is true throughout the Golden Triangle, which has a long reputation of supporting the arts.
The Columbus Arts Council has provided gallery showings for art and musical performances for years now. Likewise, organizations such as the Howlin’ Wolf Society and in West Point, the Starkville Area Arts Council, the art and music departments at Mississippi State and Mississippi University for Women provide a range of art experiences uncommon in cities of our size. Public murals abound in Starkville, Columbus and West Point, telling the cultural history of the community.
In some communities, the arts are not appreciated as they should be, yet since the earliest cave drawings, humans have used art to communicate, inform, inspire and unite. The arts are a shared experience that brings us together in a way unlike any other. The art found in the community is a reflection of the community and its spirit. Exposure to the art creates a culture of creativity, passed from one generation to another.
The life and legacy of Del Rendon is as good an example as you’re likely to find.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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