Artists from ASU and the community are selling their art to benefit an underfunded program at the College of Nursing.
Breaking the Cycle, an academic nursing center at ASU, provides family planning services such as women's health exams and birth control for free or at lowered costs to people who could not normally afford it.
"People can get beautiful art for a reasonable price and support the outreach activities of Breaking the Cycle," said Gail Petersen, program director for Breaking the Cycle. "They can see how ASU engages in community service."
The program is run through federal funding that typically covers less than half the cost of the clinic. Petersen said fundraising is important so the clinic can continue providing services.
Petersen said about 100 graduate and undergraduate students rotate through the center each year.
Art for Health began last year and is sold through First Fridays art shows in downtown Phoenix.
Alison Dunn, faculty associate for the ASU School of Art has been recruiting student artists and will serve as a judge at the event.
"We have a lot of gifted students at ASU, and the arts already has to engage the community," she said. "Students get preparation for understanding the mission of their profession better because they are going to ultimately be serving the public."
Artists are allowed to submit two pieces. There are 56 pieces of work that will be displayed from about 32 participating artists. Eleven of those artists are ASU students.
Photography junior Deanna Dent submitted a photo of her grandmother to the event.
"I was interested in the idea of showing my work but also helping a good cause," she said.
She said the event will help the fine arts college by making connections in the community and giving it more exposure, but it will also give student artists the opportunity to exhibit their work.
Art submitted by students and community members will be exhibited at Grace Lutheran Church at 1124 N. 3rd St. in Phoenix on Friday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. A community artist, an ASU faculty member and the church's pastor will judge the pieces.
Art is priced at $100 or less. Fifty percent of the proceeds from sales will go to the artist, 10 percent will go to the church and 40 percent to Breaking the Cycle program.
The first-prize winner receives a $100 gift certificate to Arizona Art Supply, and two honorable mention winners receive $50 gift certificates.
Reach the reporter at courtney.bonnell@asu.edu.
