J. R. Welch
Writer • Artist • Photographer
Witnessing life from the Bootheel to New Orleans
Welcome
I am a son of the Mississippi River. My life and work are shaped by three cities that trace its course: Hayti, Memphis, and New Orleans. From these waters, I carry stories of survival, discovery, and belonging.
Writing
I write poetry, essays, and memoir rooted in the Mississippi Delta and the American South. Published in Reckon Review, The Christian Century, Blueline Magaizne, the Queen's Review, and more. Longlisted by Kristen Arnett, The World's Best Short-Short Story, Southeast Review.
VISUAL ART
What the Delta Leaves
Paintings, drawings, and installations from the American South along the Mississippi River. Memory, erasure, the places forgotten and the stories being erased.
Photography
Streets, Land, and People
Documenting the streets, culture, land, and stories of the American South, from the Delta, land to city blocks.
Join Rooted & Refined Letters
Letters of prose and photographs, shaped by the textures of city streets, memory, and the mundane. It is an invitation to slow down, notice beauty, and discover beauty in unexpected places.
Contact Me
Questions or Comments?
Whether you're interested in the work, an exhibition, a reading, or a conversation, I would be glad to hear from you.
Copyright © 2026 J. R. Welch — Rooted & Refined™ - All Rights Reserved.
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