FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 21, 2006

Kappa Pi art auction a success
 
COLUMBUS, Miss. – Mississippi University for Women’s honorary art fraternity, the Rho chapter of Kappa Pi, raised $2,000 to aid Mississippi Gulf Coast artists affected by Hurricane Katrina at its second annual art auction on Feb. 11.  
   
The silent auction, dubbed “Art Downtown,” featured 66 works of art from MUW students, faculty, alumni, friends and family. It was held in the old Stonegate Gallery on Main, supplied by Robinson Real Estate Property Management. Other Columbus businesses, including McRae’s Department Store, Beans and Cream Coffee Shop, Sweet Peppers Deli, J. Broussard’s Restaurant, Honda of Tupelo and Alford Drug Store, as well as MUW seniors Janea Edge, Sally Evans and Jessica Johnson contributed gift certificates, supplies and door prizes. The money will be dispersed through the Arts of Hancock County Adopt an Artist Foundation.  
   
The Rho Chapter of Kappa Pi was founded in 1938 and is the 17th chapter established by the international art fraternity. Kappa Pi itself was founded in 1911 and today boasts more than 166 chapters internationally. Only students who achieve high academic standards are invited to join the honorary fraternity. The current members include Melissa Riddle (president), Anne Marie Bailey (vice president), Karen Bourne (treasurer), Amanda Francis (secretary) and Lyn Brantley (publicity officer). The faculty sponsors are Dr. Beverly Joyce and Alex Stelioes-Wills.
   
MUW’s chapter of Kappa Pi raises money for a different charity each year, and after Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast last fall, the students decided to assist affected artists in replenishing their art supplies and equipment. Riddle said, “There have been an amazing amount of fundraisers for Hurricane Katrina victims to help put roofs over heads and food in mouths, but we wanted to do something a little different. We wanted to feed the soul. By helping these artists get back on their feet, we will see a new form of inspiration in artwork. It may be painful or it may be heartwarming, but it will be real.”  
   
Having met a displaced New Orleans artist presently residing in Columbus, Kevin Voller of Kappa Pi said, “She is typical of the brave people who are trying to carry on with their lives and are the people we are most trying to help."
   
Kappa Pi members selected the Arts of Hancock County Adopt an Artist Foundation as the recipient of this year’s fundraiser because of its commitment to coastal artists devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
To donate money to the foundation, contact Gwen Impson at (228) 263-6530 or visit their website at www.hancock-art.com.                
   
For more information, contact Riddle at the Department of Art and Design at (662) 329-7341 or by email at melissajriddle@yahoo.com between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.