Mississippi School of the Arts officials hope state lawmakers”grasp the vision” Thursday when they come to Brookhaven to tourthe campus that will be the arts school’s home.

Dr. Vicki Bodenhamer, MSA executive director, said buses willbring state lawmakers to Brookhaven Thursday afternoon for aninformative visit and a presentation about the school that isscheduled to open in the fall of 2003. Following the tour andpresentation will be a reception and dinner at nearby BelleRosen.

The trip will be a chance for school officials to thanklawmakers for their support and seek additional help and forlawmakers to see in person what is being done at the school.

“Seeing something on paper is much different than walkingthrough the campus and seeing the opportunities that will bepresented for Mississippi’s children,” Bodenhamer said.

Jennifer Jackson, marketing director, said several lawmakers whohad visited the school earlier were impressed and suggested theidea for bringing all legislators to the campus. She was hoping forsimilar results Thursday.

“It makes a difference when they can grasp the vision,” Jacksonsaid.

In developing plans for the Mississippi arts school, officialsvisited a number of arts schools in other states. In convertingWhitworth College buildings for classroom space, Jackson indicatedMississippi’s efforts are well on the way.

“Our facilities will be some of the best in the country,”Jackson said.

Bodenhamer said the visit will also be a chance to thank andrecognize city officials for their assistance with the schoolproject. With the estimated value of the Whitworth campus andbuildings plus revenue from a city bond issue and a Housing andUrban Development grant for water system improvements, the city hascontributed over $21 million to the project, she said.

The trip is being privately-sponsored by school supportersthrough financial and in-kind assistance.

“It’s taken volunteers from the entire community,” Jacksonsaid.