MMI’s Arts for Hearts show, silent auction May 11-12

The Munroe-Meyer Institute’s Recreation Therapy Program (MMIRTP) provides some of Nebraska’s most creative, educational and fun-filled opportunities available for children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities.

One of the annual projects to help support those opportunities is the Arts for Hearts Art Show and Silent Auction. Sponsored by the C. Louis Meyer Foundation, this is a show featuring works created by children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities who participate in various MMIRTP programs, along with local professional artists.

Dr. Magda Peck with the hand-painted plate she created for this year’s Arts of Hearts.

Dr. Andrew Jameton with his hand-painted plate.

Samples of the hand-painted ties and a hand-painted plate and glass.

The Fourth Annual Arts for Hearts Show and Silent Auction will take place at the East Atrium (second floor of Durham Outpatient Center by the gift shop) on Wednesday, May 11 from noon to 6 p.m., and Thursday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be an opening reception for artists, including medical center contributors, on May 11 from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

There is no admission charge. All proceeds from Arts for Hearts will be used to establish an endowment for programs which serve adults with developmental disabilities at the Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation. Last year, the project raised more than $3,200.

Although clients of the Recreational Therapy Program create a number of pieces of art and crafts for sale, this year’s auction will feature pottery, gift cards, paintings and hand-painted silk scarves and ties. Gov. Dave Heineman earlier was presented one of the hand-painted ties in honor of disability awareness week.

In addition to the artworks created by the MMI Recreation Therapy clients, there will be a dozen hand painted ceramic dinner plates contributed by faculty and staff members of UNMC, MMI and The Nebraska Medical Center. Some of these contributors include:

• Patty Mata, staff assistant, Chancellor’s Support Staff;
  
• Paul Turner, director of Environmental Services, The Nebraska Medical Center;
  
• Magda Peck, Ph.D., professor, pediatrics child health, College of Medicine, and director, MMI Health Policy and Planning;
  
• Rick Boldt, coordinator special programs, Facilities Management and Planning-Special Projects;
  
• Nicole Giron, adaptive therapy specialist, MMI Physical Therapy Education;
  
• Brad Schaefer, M.D., discipline director, MMI Genetic Medicine;
  
• Pam Ferrick, media coordinator associate, MMI Media Department;
  
• Mark Smith, consumer/family coordinator, MMI Administration; and
  
• Andrew Jameton, Ph.D., professor, UNMC Preventative and Societal Medicine.

For more information about Arts for Hearts, contact Kelly Coutts at 559-5777 or Nicole Giron at 559-3018.

The group hand-painting session includes, clockwise from bottom left, Larry Nelson, safety specialist, The Nebraska Medical Center; Jan Keuchel, infection control specialist, The Nebraska Medical Center; Rusty Rosenbaum, ITS contractor; Lee Sholtz, infection control specialist, The Nebraska Medical Center; Rick Boldt and John Hauser, lead, Safety Operations, The Nebraska Medical Center.