Contact: Camille Carskadon

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State’s 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’s BBQ, 110 E. Main Street in Starkville, from 2-4 p.m.

“We are thrilled to host our first annual silent art auction, and our artists have been pouring their hearts and souls into these pieces. We couldn’t be prouder of their talents and growth this year,” said Kasee Stratton-Gadke, center director. “The auction will benefit each individual artist with half of all sales going to the artist and the remaining amount supporting the Express Yourself! program.”

Express Yourself! 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. It includes artists who come with a variety of different curiosities and disability levels. 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 Mississippi State junior art major from Kemper County. The Mississippi State 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.

“This 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,” Conn said.

Stratton-Gadke noted that the event could not happen without the support of many individuals and organizations.

“This year we received a sponsorship to promote the work of our artists from the Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities,” Stratton-Gadke said. “We 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.”

Named for MSU’s 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 www.tkmartin.msstate.edu and its Express Yourself! Art program at www.tkmartin.msstate.edu/projects/express.php.

Established in 1903, MSU’s College of Education is home to six academic departments, one research unit and numerous service units. For more about the college, visit www.educ.msstate.edu.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.