Listen to this article

Vicksburg must come together to support cherished local artist, H.C. Porter, as she perseveres through the devastating loss of her treasured art and livlihood to a fire.

Captivating art by H.C. Porter. (Photos taken by Tessa Scandizzo)

A beloved local artist who made her way from humble beginnings

H.C. Porter, commonly known as “Chris”, is the beloved owner, artist, and master printmaker at the H.C. Porter Gallery in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The H.C. Porter Gallery is an important staple in our historic downtown area and has been home to Porters’ original paintings, prints, and photographs for nearly ten years.

H.C. Porter has accomplished so much as an artist.

Originally from Jackson, MS, Porter pursued her passion for art by studying painting and photography at The University of Alabama. Before owning a gallery of her own, her first studio thrived in the basement of her grandmother’s home. Since working in her grandmother’s basement, Porter has become a distinguished artist, exhibiting her art at Galerie Amacla in France, Gallery Point Leflore, and Negrotto’s Gallery in Mississippi.

While exploring art styles and techniques, she developed her very own unique style of mixed media: a combonation of photography, painting, and printmaking. Her works can be viewed in her current gallery on Washington street, but she has also traveled with them to many other locations in her R.V.

H.C. Porter’s Gallery store front located on Washington St.

An unexpected fire led to a huge loss

Unfortunately, during the evening of Monday, June 23, while on her way to the Des Moines Art Festival, tragedy struck. Porter’s RV caught fire, resulting in the destruction of many original artworks and necessary supplies. She was thankfully unharmed, however, many meaningful and valuable items were a complete lost.

(Photos from the fire used with permission from H.C. Porter Gallery)

Thanks to Porter, we get to experience such wonderful things such as the Hipstoric Art Festival which will take place this fall. It will be an art show featuring up to 100 artists. Porter has given back so much to the city in which she dwells.

Porter lost the R.V. that she used to tote her work for her traveling exhibition.

How the community can give back

Now is the time for Vicksburg to return all that she has contributed to our charming downtown community by supporting her gallery and aiding in the replenishment of her supplies. A Go Fund Me has been organized in order to assist her. Though donations can not replace so much hard work and dedication, they can certainly help her rebuild.

You can find HC Porter and her amazingly unique art at 1216 Washington St.