IN EVERY ISSUE
Things You Don ’ t
10Kate Cherry
Know About Me
Who do you reach out to in Meridian if you need to know “ something ” about art ? Kate Cherry , of course . Cherry has served as executive director of the Meridian Museum of Art since September 2008 . However , her beginnings go back to the ’ 70s , when the downtown Meridian art museum was just getting started . Cherry ’ s husband , Terry , is an artist and has been involved with the museum since its beginning , serving on and chairing the Exhibition and Education committees and as consultant .
Before being with the museum , Cherry was a premium auditor for USF & G Insurance and was one of the first female auditors hired . While at USF & G , Kate was an active member of Insurance Women of Meridian , received the Insurance Woman of the Year award in 1985 , traveled the Northeast and Southeast portion of Mississippi , served as the state director of the newly formed Mississippi State Council , and was active on the organization ’ s regional and national levels .
After her position was downsized during branch relocations and closings in the early ‘ 90s , Cherry and her husband began traveling the art festival circuit across the United States . One year , they traveled to 26 festivals . She ran the Front Street Gallery in the mid- ‘ 90s , then returned to college and earned 33 more hours in an art major
Kate Cherry during the late ‘ 90s . She then became active in MMA ’ s governance by serving on the
Board of Directors nine years , three of those as president . In 2000 , she was presented with Volunteer of the Year award .
Cherryhas a deep love for the architecture in Meridian . The art museum lives in the Old Carnegie Library that was built in 1912 . In 2020 , Terry and Kate purchased the Loeb Estate ( which was designed by Meridian ’ s prominent architect of the 1920s , P . J . Krouse – a prolific designer for public buildings across the city ). The guest house on the property was designed by Meridian ’ s Chris Risher . Here are 10 things you don ’ t know about Kate Cherry :
1 . I was nearly burned in a house fire at age 2 , but was saved . 2 . I have always loved animals . In my childhood , I had a baby goat , cats , hunting dogs , and horses . My love for cats gave me cat scratch fever . I did hang a cat , but Mama saved it . I still love animals and rescue ones that need homes . 3 . My husband Terry was a city and armed services brat . He was not accustomed to country girls who could steer large bulls and cows by just raising arms . 4 . I was very active in the 4-H Club , with clothing as my main project . I entered many competitions and dress revues and finally won first place in the Sew with Cotton Contest my last year . In my 20s , I served as a 4-H leader . 5 . I ’ ve attended Scooba Presbyterian Church since age 5 . 6 . I wanted to be an interior designer , but chickened out on going to school in Atlanta . 7 . I was terrified of public speaking . 8 . I survived a major automobile accident in 1967 with only an arm wound and broken finger . 9 . I can ’ t water ski or snow ski . 10 . I ’ ve been “ herding ” artists since I was 16 , which led to my current position of executive director of Meridian Museum of Art .
38 • MERIDIAN HOME & STYLE