The Columbia High School Art Club and art teacher, Ashley Watkins, painted a new addition for Downtown Columbia. The high school students brought an old church bench back to life with familiar Columbia, Miss. inspired features. They blended Morgantown’s Red Bluff, the Pearl River, Columbia’s beautiful Courthouse and our unique White Squirrels in a modern mix that emphasizes Columbia’s natural and manmade features. The bench was in the movie "Free State of Jones," and Matthew McConaughey sat on it in the movie. It was purchased by Jim Rhoden, who put it in front of his law firm and home, where he and his wife, Karen, resided. After he passed away in November 2022, Karen noticed that it needed repairs after being on the sidewalk in front of their building for several years. The votech school was contacted for it to be repaired and restored by the teacher and students so that more enjoyment could be had by Karen and so many others that would sit, talk and visit. After the votech school finished it, the CHS Art Club brought it back to life with beauty for the Rhodens and Columbia. The bench will be on display at 326 C Second St. Columbia, Miss. | Photos submitted
