Written by: Hillary Straba

In 2014, DrawProject is bigger and better than ever.

The seventh annual scholarship fundraiser set a record with over 75 entries, making it the largest DrawProject exhibit to date.

“This year, we had about 20 more entries than in previous years,” Bill Shenton, curator for the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, said.

“The DrawProject event is an ongoing, annual, and hopefully never ending art project, coordinated and hosted by the VSU Department of Art and the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts,” Michael Schmidt, interim department head and professor of art, said.

Sponsored by Guardian Bank, Bush Wealth Management, and Classic Art & Frame Co., DrawProject features original works of art made by local artists, VSU students, faculty and alumni, as well as previous scholarship recipients. The original works of art are donated and put up for auction, with the bidding beginning at $35.

According to Shenton, the majority of pieces were sold on opening night. The pieces that are still available will remain up for bidding until they reach $80, or until the event closes on Feb. 19.

All proceeds from DrawProject benefit two scholarships: the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts Scholarship and the Danielle B. Harmon Student Merit Scholarship. These scholarships are awarded to VSU art students.

DrawProject was started seven years ago by Jamie Harmon, former curator of the Turner Center of the Arts. Her idea was to ask artists to interpret for themselves what it means to “draw.”

“There (are) no rules or definition of what ‘drawing’ is; only their interpretation,” Harmon said.

The result is an eclectic collection of artwork ranging from graphite drawings to paintings to digital and mixed-media art. DrawProject is a great display of local talent that benefits the budding artists of Valdosta.

The DrawProject exhibit will remain on display until Feb. 19.

Two other exhibits on display at the Turner Center for the Arts are works by Irene Dodd and Ruth Kahler; both artists are retired VSU art professors. These exhibits will also remain on display until Feb. 19.

The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts is located at 527 N. Patterson St. and 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.