DrawProject Opens With Record Number of Drawings, Contributing Artists

VALDOSTA — A bit of a bidding war erupted over nine artworks during an opening reception and auction Monday night (Jan. 13) as the Department of Art at Valdosta State University kicked off DrawProject 2014 at the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts.

Attendance was heavy at the annual drawing invitational exhibition, as both artists and art supporters braved the inclement weather to raise funds for VSU Department of Art students.

Sponsored by Guardian Bank, Bush Wealth Management, and Classic Art & Frame Co., DrawProject 2014, a collaboration between the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts and the university’s Department of Art, boasted a record-breaking 75 drawings.

Each year, artists from the community, region, and across the country are invited to contribute creative works for the exhibition. The artists interpret the concept of “drawing” and create an original artwork to be exhibited and donated for auction. This year’s submissions feature a variety of media and a broad range of techniques and subject matter, and encompass a contemporary interpretation of what it means to draw.  

Monday’s event began with guests viewing each drawing, silently bidding on their favorites. The bidding started at $35. Works that reached $150 were moved to an open auction near the conclusion of the reception.  

“To all of the contributing artists,” said Michael T. Schmidt, interim head of the VSU Department of Art, “we appreciate your time, generosity, and outstanding creative solutions to the challenge of ‘drawing’ and the tradition of the DrawProject.”

DrawProject benefits two scholarships.

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; before her death in 2010, she was an instructor in VSU’s Department of Art.

A few artworks not sold at Monday’s opening reception will be available for anyone to purchase throughout the exhibition, which runs through Wednesday, Feb. 19.

DrawProject is the brainchild of Jamie Harmon, former curator of the Turner Center for the Arts. 

The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts is located at 527 N. Patterson St. It is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 

Visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/valdostastate/sets/72157639765406284/ to view photos.

On the Web:

http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts/art/

http://turnercenter.org/

https://www.facebook.com/DrawProject.VSUArt

Valdosta State University’s 2013-2019 Strategic Plan represents a renewal of energy and commitment to the foundational principles for comprehensive institutions.

Implementation of the plan’s five goals, along with their accompanying objectives and strategies, supports VSU’s institutional mission and the University System of Georgia’s mission for comprehensive universities.

The story above demonstrates VSU's commitment to meeting the following goals:

Goal 1: Recruit, retain, and graduate a quality, diverse student population and prepare students for roles as leaders in a global society.

Goal 2: Increase financial support for the institution.

Goal 3: Promote student, employee, alumni, retiree, and community engagement in our mission.

Goal 4: Foster an environment of creativity and scholarship.

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/planning/strategic-plan.php to learn more.