Creativity embodies the idea of self-expression, allowing one to express emotions otherwise inexpressible. Mississippi State University’s T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability has taken this idea and constructed a collaborative exhibit with artists partnered with MSU art, interior design and floral design students in the Martha Lipsey Art Gallery Thursday.

“Express Ourselves: An Exhibit of Creative Diversity” will feature artwork by members of T.K. Martin’s EXPRESS Yourself program from 5:30-7 p.m.  According to an MSU news release, the creations will be showcased alongside art student’s ‘Soul’ portraits of each artist. Floral design students created flower arrangements to complement the artwork, and interior design students will design a seating and lighting project to be paired with the art.

The T.K. Martin Center is named after MSU’s late vice president who began the initiative to increase the university’s accessibility to those with physical challenges. According to the center’s website, “The T.K. Martin Center provides comprehensive, multi-disciplinary evaluations to remove limitations through the application of assistive technology, allowing individuals to participate in educational, vocational and leisure activities to the fullest degree they choose.”

Judy Duncan, who has served in the T.K. Martin Center since 1996, said a majority of the EXPRESS Yourself artists have cerebral palsy, and the program provides an outlet for participents to convey what they are feeling on the inside in a way they would not be able to do otherwise.

“Due to the severity of their disabilities, they have no or few experiences to participate in art classes or art activities,” she said. “So, their ability to be fully creative has never happened until they were able to participate in EY. With EY, they are in total control of their environment, which can also be a new experience for them.”

Duncan said before participating in the EY program, the participants’ emotions were trapped inside them, and through the creative outlet of art, the artists can express their various emotions such as joy and sadness.

Although challenged by physical disabilities, the paintings displayed in the exhibit are original pieces created by each artist. Duncan said the center aspired to create an experience where the participants of the EY program were able to learn from other artists.

“We thought pairing them with MSU art students and faculty would expose them to other types and styles of art and hopefully inspire them as they create their art,” Duncan said. “We wanted it to be a fully integrated experience.”

Duncan said the event Thursday will allow students to come out and meet artists as well as view their artwork.

“They love meeting new people and being able to show off their work. This will be a very unique art experience,” she said. “You will not only see the EY artists’ work, but also MSU art, interior design and floral design students’ work will be displayed as companions to the EY art.  It is a show of creative diversity.”

Regular gallery hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, as well as by appointment. Paintings may be purchased to support the artists and the EXPRESS Yourself project’s mission to reach more potential artists throughout Mississippi

For additional information on Thursday’s “Express Ourselves” event, contact Judy Duncan at (662) 325-1028 or [email protected]. More information on the T.K. Martin Center EXPRESS Yourself Art program can be found at tkmartin.msstate.edu/projects/express.php.