Art Auction to Benefit MUW Program

From left, members of MUW’s chapter of Kappa Pi International Honorary Art Fraternity are Nisa Moody, Chelsea Schermann, Kelsey Smith, Natalie Thomas, Femi Sobayo and Efrem Gillard. (Courtesy photo)

COLUMBUS, Miss. – The MUW Department of Art and Design’s chapter of Kappa Pi International Honorary Art Fraternity will host its annual Art in Autumn Auction on Saturday, Nov. 3.  The event, which is open to the public, will be held in the Eugenia Summer Gallery in the Art and Design Building, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Doors open with a silent auction of donated student artwork. The live auction, which follows, features work by art faculty, art alumni and other professional artists.

Kappa Pi’s mission is to enhance a deeper appreciation of the arts, which MUW’s chapter has achieved by partnering with the art programs in area high schools, such as Caledonia High School, West Point High School, Columbus High School, West Lowndes High School and New Hope High School.  With money raised from the auction, Kappa Pi has purchased big-ticket items for the high school art programs, items that the teachers usually cannot afford.  Funds from the auction have also supported the Kappa Pi High School Invitational Exhibition and Open Studio Days for visiting high school groups.

This year’s auction proceeds will go toward establishing the MUW Department of Art and Design Student Trip Fund.  “Our students have worked so hard to help high school students have a good foundation in art. They’ve raised so much money for others that we wanted to take one year to thank our students,” said Dr. Beverly Joyce, faculty sponsor for the chapter.

Professor Shawn Dickey, department chair, added, “So many students from our region lack the exposure to the museums in a major metropolitan area. The experience of standing, being surrounded by actual works of art, is more enriching than viewing the work in a lecture or in a book. It is crucial for the students’ professional development.”

Nisa Moody, Kappa Pi president, said, “This year’s Art in Autumn Auction is about giving back to our students.  In the past, students have selflessly donated their time and artwork for the benefit of area high school programs.  With this auction, we will establish a fund for our students to further their education by allowing them the opportunity to visit museums and art galleries.”