T. K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability Exhibit

The Starkville Area Arts Council will be featuring an exhibit of the artwork from the T. K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability at Mississippi State University for the months of July and August. The works will be displayed in the lobby of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership building located at 200 E. Main St. and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Center sponsors a project called “EXPRESS Yourself” (Experiencing Painting as Recreation and Express the Spirit within Yourself). This project enables artists who are physically challenged, to create artwork through another person who works with them called a “tracker”. Judy Duncan, Laurie Craig, and Barbara Boydstun are the three trackers who act as the arms and hands of the artist to create their next masterpiece. The artist expresses their desires for their piece through whichever means possible to their tracker, who acts as their vehicle for distributing the art medium. The art is created exactly to the artists’ specifications and they are very particular about the colors used, where and how they are to be applied, and the overall look of the piece when finished.

The artists featured in this exhibit are: Mark Jones, Demetria (Dee) Gilbert, Thalamus Brown, Clinton White, and Ashley Bass, all from Starkville. Artists who live in Ackerman are: Candace Stephenson and Amanda Williams. Monica Herard also has her artwork on display and is from Eupora. Several of the artists live in Jackson: Kenny Bland, Marcus Bryant, and Terrell Jenkins.

Judy Duncan and Laurie Craig shared some touching stories about the evolution of some of the people in this program. Dee Gilbert started her art career painting hearts, since she always saw teenagers drawing hearts with initials in them, but was never physically capable. When she was able to express herself through art, hearts were all she painted, and emotionally worked through her teenage years. As her artistic abilities progressed, she developed an abstract style and has broadened her subject matter.

Thalamus Brown had dropped out of the art program, lacking the interest and dedication required. After the untimely passing of his roommate, he lovingly finished a picture the young man had started, which propelled him back into the field, and what a gift to society with the level of quality he possesses.

Candace Stephenson is very creative in her use of tools she has her tracker use to develop a painting. She has used hair rollers to get patterns and shapes into her artwork. Her titles are also very imaginative since she is one of the artists who can speak.

This exhibit is colorful, imaginative, creative, and moving. Please stop at the GSDP to view these unusual art pieces created in the most unusual ways, with patience, compassion, and a unique accumulation of tools. For more information, please contact the SAAC office, 324-3080, or visit the website at starkvillearts.org.