TATAMY, Pa. — Art and mindfulness will come together Thursday at the first art exhibit and auction to raise awareness and funds for an organization that teaches social- emotional resiliency.
Mosaics, paintings, stained glass and sculptures will be just a few of the artworks up for auction at the nonprofit Shanthi Project's “Easely Yours,” an event it hopes to hold annually.
The show, at Llantrisant Retreat and Wellness Center, 336 Bushkill St., Tatamy, will start at 6 p.m.
Tickets are available on the Shanthi Project's website.
The event will include 26 pieces of art that have all been donated to the cause and will be auctioned off in a silent auction.
“Our goal was to really celebrate this connection between art and mindfulness."Kim Hopkins, executive director, Shanthi Project
The art exhibit and auction will raise money for Shanthi Project, which works within schools, corporations and local community organizations.
It teaches social-emotional resiliency through the practice of mindfulness to adults and children.
“Our goal was to really celebrate this connection between art and mindfulness and create an atmosphere of enjoyment and truly more celebration," Shanthi Project Executive Director Kim Hopkins said.
"As opposed to something that you might see at a typical art museum."
'More just and caring society'
Curlee Raven Holton, an Easton artist from Raven Fine Art Editions, said he chose to participate in the event "because of the mission of the organization to encourage more personal responsibility in order to develop a deeper sense of awareness in our shared humanity."
“I share the belief that personal accountability and greater inner knowledge of our motivations will allow us to be more honest with ourselves and as a result with others, thereby creating a more just and caring society,” Holton said.
“We're in multiple districts throughout the Valley. We serve over 4,000 kids each year directly in their classrooms.Shanthi Project Executive Director Kim Hopkins
Hopkins said the money raised through the event will go toward expanding programs in Lehigh Valley schools.
“We're in multiple districts throughout the Valley," she said. "We serve over 4,000 kids each year directly in their classrooms.
"We have a major expansion plan this year, things we haven't quite announced yet, but one of those things will be a major, major expansion in the Easton Area School District.”
Holton said Shanthi Project will put a focus on helping kindergarteners transition into the school setting.
