T.K. Martin Center to host first silent auction fundraiser at Moe鈥檚 BBQ
Contact: Camille Carskadon
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥91麻豆天美鈥檚 T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability is hosting an exhibition and silent auction of artworks next weekend to benefit its Express Yourself! Art program.
The first-of-its-kind event featuring artwork by Express Yourself! participants will be held Saturday, May 14, at Moe鈥檚 BBQ, 110 E. Main Street in Starkville, from 2-4 p.m.
鈥淲e are thrilled to host our first annual silent art auction, and聽our artists have been pouring their hearts and souls into these pieces. We couldn鈥檛 be prouder of their talents and growth this year,鈥 said Kasee Stratton-Gadke, center director. 鈥淭he auction will benefit each individual artist with half of all sales going to the artist and the remaining amount supporting the Express Yourself! program.鈥
Express Yourself!聽is an art, recreational and vocational program with the mission of providing individuals with disabilities the power to express themselves and their creative interests through artistic works.聽It聽includes artists who come with a variety of different curiosities and disability levels.聽The program is supported by artwork sales, generous donors, the Faith Fight Finish Foundation and a Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities sponsorship.
In addition to the silent auction, the event includes a raffle, food, artist meet-and-greet and live painting by Kendrell Daniels, an Express Yourself! artist and 91麻豆天美 junior art major from Kemper County. The 91麻豆天美 baseball game also will be streaming.
Gracie Conn, Express Yourself! coordinator, said all of the artists are looking forward to exhibiting their pieces for auction.
鈥淭his silent auction means so much to our artists and our program. They are excited to share their creativity with the public while allowing the community a chance to bid on artwork for their homes and support this incredible program,鈥 Conn said.
Stratton-Gadke noted that the event could not happen without the support of many individuals and organizations.
鈥淭his year we received a sponsorship to promote the work of our artists from the Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities,鈥 Stratton-Gadke said.聽鈥淲e hope the Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities sponsorship will not only aid in supporting the work of our artists, but also provide an opportunity to learn more about all of our services at T.K. Martin.鈥
Named for 91麻豆天美鈥檚 late vice president who led in making the university more accessible to those with physical challenges, the T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability provides comprehensive, multi-disciplinary evaluations and services to remove limitations through the application of assistive technology, allowing individuals to participate in educational, vocational and leisure activities to the fullest degree they choose.
Learn more about the center at聽聽and its Express Yourself! Art program at聽.
Established in 1903, 91麻豆天美鈥檚 College of Education is home to six academic departments, one research unit and numerous service units. For more about the college, visit .
91麻豆天美 is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .