BRACE Judges
Jim Henderson
Jim Henderson has lived with his wife Judy, in Somerville,TN for 18 years. Since retiring from Porter-Leath as Chief Financial Officer, he has devoted himself to his art. Jim’s interest in creating art came prior to his retirement when he began studying drawing and acrylic painting. Later he attended oil painting workshops taught by nationally known artists. Watercolor became his medium of choice after studying with Fred Rawlinson of Memphis for many years. Jim is a member and past President of the Memphis/Germantown Art League where he continues to serve as Treasurer. He is a Signature Member of the Tennessee Watercolor Society and the Watercolor Society of Alabama. His work is represented by Oxford Treehouse Gallery in Oxford, MS.
Jim creates southern landscapes from observation and imagination using rural structures, trees and winding roads. Most recent works have taken an abstract view of landscapes and garden florals. Jim’s bold and colorful use of watercolor has been enhanced by the addition of acrylic ink lines to create a unique and recognizable style. Over the past eight years these paintings have won numerous awards in local, regional and national exhibitions.
Melinda Posey
Melinda Eckley Posey is Associate Professor of Graphic Design at Christian Brothers University. She specializes in visual communication for non-profits and NGOs, translating complex ideas into engaging, cross-cultural messages. Her design portfolio includes work for Rolex, Ralph Lauren, Subaru, Titleist, two Nobel Peace Prize–winning organizations, and multiple United Nations agencies. She has illustrated two books, Jamila: A Refugee Story and 170 Jobs with a Purpose, both published by the UN. Her gallery practice focuses on language and history through installation. Her work will be featured in the upcoming Brooks Museum retrospective of Memphis College of Art in 2026. In her spare time, she lives inside a “This Old House” renovation project with her husband, two boys, and hedgehogs.
Christy Hays
Christy is a retired teacher, teaching 32 years in the Jackson-Madison County School System. She is now the Fine Arts Coordinator and in year 36 for the same school district, where she plans events that show-case the students in the fine arts programs throughout the district. Some of these events include district-wide concerts, art shows, and theatre productions. She also works with the art, theatre, and dance teachers in the district.
She is married to Glen Hays and is the mother of 2 wonderful sons and their wives, and the CoCo to 2 grandsons who are the absolute joy of her life. She enjoys being with her family, painting, decorating, and traveling.