FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 13, 2009

MUW art students help provide resources to Columbus High School art department

COLUMBUS, Miss. -- Columbus High School will have more resources for its art department thanks to the Drawing Out Success program run by students of Mississippi University for Women’s Kappa Pi International Honorary Art Fraternity.

The necessary funds will be raised through Kappa Pi’s annual Art in Autumn auction on Saturday, Nov. 7.

According to Dr. Beverly Joyce, MUW associate professor of art and faculty sponsor for the group, part of Kappa Pi’s mission is to enhance a deeper appreciation of the arts within the community, which MUW’s chapter achieves through its Drawing Out Success program.

The international honorary art fraternity began the program two years ago and has partnered with area high schools to raise money for their art programs.
Unlike previous years, this year’s partnership consists of three of Columbus High School’s art teachers, instead of a single teacher. Kappa Pi members recently met with these teachers in order to assess their needs.

Ceramics teacher Carol Murphee said, “Our number one wish would be to get a proper ventilation system for the kiln room. Beyond that we would be thankful for whatever help we can get.”

The teachers also asked for a digital camera to photograph high quality pictures of their students’ works.

Alice Lancaster, who teaches Art I and Art II, said, “We are very excited about your help here at Columbus High School.”  She hopes to show her art students what types of works the MUW students produce at a college level.
Joyce said, “In the past, we’ve focused on the needs of one teacher. Since we’ve been successful in the past, we are looking forward to expanding our program and meeting this challenge."

She added the Drawing Out Success program evolved, from previous years, out of a desire to have a consistent beneficiary for the Art in Autumn Auction, which started in the fall of 2005. At that time proceeds were going to various charities.

Frances Hairston, an MUW senior from Crawford and the president of the Kappa Pi Rho chapter, thinks that the Drawing Out Success program “gives all members of Kappa Pi a feeling of satisfaction” by reaching out to the community and providing for the high school art department.

  “Our main goal is to help aid in the success of art programs in the area high schools. We not only provide funds for supplies, but we hold a workshop in the spring,” Hairston said.