Preparing Our Educators

Fourth annual Art Auction a success for The Plains Elementary students

Student-artists watch while parents, students, faculty and staff from The Plains Elemntary, Ohio University and the local community bid on their artwork.

ATHENS, Ohio (Nov. 3, 2010) -- The only remnants left in the McCracken Hall “Gallery” after the bidding extravaganza on Monday night are the signs, “Local School Student Art Exhibit.” The Patton College of Education and Human Services held its fourth annual Art Extravaganza and Silent Auction, surpassing all previous records and raising more than $1,500 for the art program and students from The Plains Elementary in The Plains, Ohio.

Anticipation for the auction was building since the unveiling on May 24, where 35 pieces of artwork from K-6 students at The Plains Elementary School were revealed in the hallways of McCracken. On the night of the auction, bidders took different strategies – some waited until the last minute to bid while others camped next to their favorite piece of artwork to protect their bid.

“I know the parents want their kid’s artwork, but they’ll have to outbid others,” joked Patton College Dean Renée A. Middleton before the bidding started.

And the competition was intense. Dr. Middleton said that the College has a benefactor who would buy pieces that were not bid upon, but that option was not needed because every single piece had been auction between $15-$170 by parents, students, faculty and staff that came to support the young artists and their art program.

“I thought this was a great opportunity for the kids and the community as well as the university,” said Tami Benyei, art teacher at The Plains Elementary. “It’s a win-win opportunity, and the money will help provide extra special supplies that kids might not otherwise get to use.”

One student in particular, a second grader named Gaige was especially proud of his artwork in Benyei’s art class and the increasing bids he received on it.

“I like mine a lot,” said Gaige with a huge smile on his face and his younger brother right next to him agreeing. “I made it out of glue and threw it all together in a day.”

Benyei mentioned that through this opportunity, the kids have found inspiration while studying various types of artwork and art styles to motivate their creativity.

“This artwork is about being fearless and trying something new” said Beneyi. “You never know who might be the next Picasso.”

As for next year’s event, Dr. Middleton expressed something new as well. Not only will the artwork be displayed at McCracken Hall, but also at Ohio University’s Kennedy Museum of Art, which will be unveiled in the spring of 2011.

To see photos from the event, check out our photo slide show.

Please follow The Patton College on Twitter, @PattonCEHS, and on Facebook for more news and events.
See other coverage of the event before (Compass and The Post) and after (Compass and The Post).

Story by Nicole Bersani. Photos by Mark Brunton.