In an effort to give back to the local community in a way that suits their everyday mission and purpose, the Singing River Art Association participates in a number of programs that support local students in their art journey. To add to their regular offerings, this year, they are asking for donations of art supplies for a local school in need.
“Singing River Art Association strives to promote the development and enjoyment of art in our local communities here on the MS Gulf Coast,” said Tanya Hamilton, president of the Singing River Art Association.
The association sponsors an annual Student Art Show for high school art students in Jackson County. This year’s show was held in April, and five schools participated by submitting their top three entries.
According to Hamilton, as Gloria Simon, chairman of the Student Art Show, visited each school, she noticed that one local school was lacking proper art supplies needed for class. The teacher noted that she received a fund at the beginning of the year, but this went to general classroom items such as staplers, scissors, paper, etc. No additional funds were received throughout the year, and the students are unable to pay additional fees for art supplies.
Seeing this encouraged the association to step in and begin collecting donations for the school. Hamilton said they are asking for sketch paper/pads, brushes, watercolor/acrylic paints, colored pencils, watercolor pencils, watercolor paper, pastel chalks, and so on. These may be items that people already have at home or go out and purchase.
“Everyone has some type of creative outlet, whether it’s mechanical, technical, musical, drawing, or painting,” she said. “Children especially have beautiful imaginations and love to share their creativity with everyone and that’s what we want to foster and encourage. Art makes the world a much more interesting and beautiful place.”
The art association is taking donations through July 31.
If they receive a large amount of supplies, they would like to donate to a second school in the area. And, Hamilton said they’d like to do this again next year for other local schools.
Besides the art show and the donation, Singing River Art Association also contributes $500 to a worthy art student at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Jackson County Campus each spring and fall.
Community members can drop off donations at the River Gallery on Delmas Avenue in Pascagoula. Their hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. They are also accepting monetary or gift card donations.
To learn more, you can find the Singing River Art Association on Facebook.
