Jane Beard of Poplarville, an art student at Pearl River Community College, won a first place award during the Pearl River County Arts League 2012 Spring Show and Festival which was held March 23rd through 25th. Beard won with her mixed media painting of her Arabian horse, Leader of the Band.

The retired nurse has been taking classes with PRCC art instructor Charleen Null for 18 months.

“Eventually, I’d like to get a degree,” she said. She has taken drawing I and II, painting I and II and six special studio classes.

“She’s a non-traditional student who has loved art for many years and decided she wanted to perfect her art,” Null said. “She’s quite talented and is progressing very well.”