Television personality Erin Napier, co-host of HGTV’s “Home Town,” is known for the watercolors of houses she and her woodworking husband Ben renovate for new homeowners in the Laurel, Mississippi area. She credits one of Mississippi College’s most famous graduates — Wyatt Waters — for nurturing her artistic talent, which has helped fuel six seasons of the popular television series.
“Mississippi has such a rich arts heritage,” Napier said, “and MC gets to claim one of our state’s greatest modern painters, Wyatt Waters. I got to take his workshop in Clinton years ago, before ‘Home Town,’ and have never forgotten those lessons he taught.”
Erin will return to Clinton with Ben on April 4, to headline the Mississippi College Spring Scholarship Banquet in Anderson Hall in the B.C. Rogers Student Center.
“We are excited to speak at MC and see the campus,” Erin said, “and to learn more about their arts programs.”
‘Ambassadors’
Audiences have raved about the Napiers’ skillful artistry, unabashed Southern friendliness, and deeply rooted Christian values.
MC’s Scholarship Banquet has featured well-known individuals from across the spectrum of politics and entertainment, including Reba McEntire, Drew Brees, Dr. Ben Carson, Sen. Bob Dole, Steve Forbes, Rudy Giuliani, Chuck Hagel and Condoleezza Rice.
Katrina Pace, executive director of the MC Foundation, said the ‘Home Town’ duo brings a sense of comfortable familiarity to their celebrity.
“The Napiers are examples of people who had opportunities to establish their careers at other places around the country, but they stayed in Mississippi to make that happen,” Pace said. “They have shown a lot of love and care for their state.”
During their visit to MC, the Napiers will give a small presentation and host a question-and-answer session for students.
Mississippi College is affiliated with the Mississippi Baptist Convention.
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written and originally published by Mississippi College.