DrawProject Raises Funds for Scholarships; Auction Scheduled Monday

VALDOSTA -- Several weeks ago, Valdosta State University’s Department of Art and the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts asked artists to interpret the concept of “drawing” and create a piece of original artwork to be donated for auction. These artists were told they could use various media or techniques but should remain true to the contemporary interpretation of drawing.

Blake Pearce, head of VSU’s Department of Art, said community, regional, as well as national artists submitted more than 50 works for the 2012 DrawProject, an annual fundraiser that supports students as they pursue an art education. Each piece of artwork, measuring 15 inches by 22 inches, will be available for bid from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 9, during the opening reception for the exhibition at the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, located at 527 N. Patterson St.

“The show is always fun due to the eclectic nature of the exhibit content and the variety of artists featured,” he shared. “Some artists have produced works each year for the exhibit; some have been featured fewer times, or only once.”

The minimum bid for each work will be $50. Works that receive a bid of $200 will be moved to an open auction near the conclusion of Monday’s reception.

“Money raised from this event supports two scholarships benefitting Valdosta State University art students,” Pearce shared. “The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts Scholarship is awarded annually 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 Danielle B. Harmon Student Merit Scholarship recognizes departmental majors for superior classroom performance.”

Works that do not sell Monday will be available for purchase for $50 for the duration of the exhibit, which will run through Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts.

Each piece was framed by members of the VSU Department of Art and members of the Art Associates and supported by Classic Art and Frame Company’s sponsorship. Pearce said he hoped to have every submitted work framed and hanging on the art center’s walls this weekend.

This is the sixth DrawProject. Pearce said it started as an exhibit held at VSU under the direction of Jamie Harmon, former curator of the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts and husband of Danielle Harmon, an associate professor of art at VSU who lost her battle with cancer in 2010.

VSU Department of Art’s DrawProject is sponsored by Guardian Bank and Classic Art and Frame Company and hosted by the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts.

To learn more, call VSU’s Department of Art at (229) 333-5835 or the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts at (229) 247-2787, or visit www.valdosta/edu/art.