Proceeds from a Lawrence art auction will support cultural programs at Haskell Indian Nations University following federal cuts to university employees.
The Haskell Cultural Preservation Art Auction will include silent and live bidding, both in person, according to a news release from organizer and sculptor Tamara Werth.
It’s scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3 in the Regency Ballroom at the Lawrence DoubleTree by Hilton, 200 McDonald Drive, and it’s free to attend.
“The recent federal cuts have impacted Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas in a devastating way, compromising the health, well-being and dignity of students and staff as well as the educational aspirations of many students,” the release says. “A groundswell of public support has inspired an art auction to support the cultural preservation of Haskell.”
Artists who have expressed intent to contribute to the auction include Laura Ramberg, John Kuhn, Cliff Fragua, John Sebelius, Mona Cliff, Betsy Forcade, Karl Ramberg, Myles Schachter, Tom Corbin, Stan Herd, Lora Jost, Lori Norwood, Dorothy Hoyt Reed, Tim Forcade, Isaiah Stewart, Tim O’Brien, Donna Paul, Dustin Sypher, Pat Slimmer and many others.
Werth said as of Sunday afternoon, she and other local and regional artists had contributed 75 original pieces altogether.
Artists of all mediums who are interested in donating their work can call Werth at 785-393-4966. There are no restrictions on the age of artists or monetary value of their work, the release says.
Art can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m Saturday, April 5 at 16 E. 13th St. in Lawrence.
About three dozen people — constituting more than 20% of all the university’s staff, and including instructors who were teaching 34 courses — were fired without cause on Feb. 14 based on federal orders. The Trump administration made sweeping, indiscriminate cuts to federal employees nationwide, targeting people based on their unprotected status as probationary employees.
Last week, 14 of those people, including all instructors, were reinstated with backpay. But Haskell professor Dan Wildcat said at a seminar Saturday that Haskell could likely take another hit soon because the White House has called on federal agencies to submit plans that include a “significant reduction” in the number of full-time equivalent positions.
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