Turner Center Hosts Auction to Support Students

VALDOSTA -- The Department of Art and the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts invite the public to DRAWPROJECT -- a silent auction from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 10, at the center, 527 N. Patterson St. The auction, which funds student art scholarships, will feature more than 50 original works that depict "drawing."

Proceeds from the framed art pieces, for which bids start at $50, will fund the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts Scholarship, which is awarded each year to support a VSU junior art, design or art education major for meritorious production in the classroom and a commitment to service within the community. The event also benefits the department of art scholarship fund, which supports annual freshman and transfer student scholarships as well as departmental merit scholarships -- such as the Danielle B. Harmon Student Merit Scholarship -- that recognize departmental majors for superior classroom performance.

The 2011 event will honor the artistic contributions of Jamie Harmon, former Turner Center curator, and his wife, the late Danielle B. Harmon - an art faculty member who died earlier this year after battling cancer. Art Department Head Blake Pearce said Jamie plans to attend the opening, which will showcase an exhibition of Danielle Harmon's work.

"We are committed to supporting the efforts that have gone into this fundraising event and to use the DRAWPROJECT as an opportunity to recognize Professor Harmon's commitment to her students, her love of art, and to recognize Jamie's unique abilities to organize artists from far flung places to bring the community this unique event," Pearce said.

The DRAWPROJECT is offering gift certificates starting at $50 to put toward a bid. Gift certificates may be shared, combined or used as part of the final bid amount. Information about gift certificates and donations is available through the VSU Department of Art at 333-5835 or e-mail Pearce at apearce@valdosta.edu.

For more information about DRAWPROJECT, go to www.drawproject.com or the VSU Department of Art page, www.valdosta.edu/art.