Northwestern State University’s Department of Fine and Graphic Art will host a fund raising event to benefit a fine arts summer session in New Mexico. Community officials paired with Northwestern State artists to create pieces that will be auctioned at the event, set to begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 24 at the Natchitoches Arts Center, 716 Second St.

Celebrity artists include Northwestern State President Dr. Randall J. Webb, Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Lisa Abney, Dean of Students Dr. Chris Maggio and Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court Louie Bernard.

Northwestern State jazz musicians will entertain at the event and refreshments will be provided. Theatre student Tim Sandifer will be auctioneer. Additional art pieces by Northwestern State art faculty Matt DeFord, Brooks DeFee, Clyde Downs will be for sale, as well as pieces by local artists Grady Harper, Bill Bryant, George Wolfe and Northwestern State art students.

Work from last year’s summer session in New Mexico was showcased in two university exhibitions that featured paintings, photographs, stained glass and mixed media compositions inspired by the history, people, cultures and landscape of the American southwest. Students and faculty explored galleries and museums of Santa Fe and Taos and painted and photographed the landscape at Ghost Ranch in Abuiqii, N.M., and Bandelier National Monument.

For more information, contact DeFord, coordinator of Fine and Graphic Art, at (318) 357-6560 or e-mail defordm@nsula.edu.