Thursday, July 25th, occupational therapy students at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center will host the third annual Rachel Kay Stevens Art Show and Auction, featuring artworks created by occupational therapy patients, to benefit the Rachel Kay Stevens Therapy Center, the only student-run, pro bono occupational therapy center in the Mid-South.
“Every one of us has occupations that we do, and it's not just our work, job, or employment. Occupations are leisure activities, bathing, and dressing. And for children, it's school, play, getting themselves ready for school, or getting ready for bed,” says Anne Zachry, Assistant Professor and Chair of the UTHSC Department of Occupational Therapy. “So that's what occupational therapy does is we work with individuals who have disabilities or have had injuries to help them get back to carrying out the occupations that are important to them.”
The Rachel Kay Stevens Therapy Center opened in 2016 in honor of former occupational therapy student Rachel Kay Stevens, who died suddenly from heart issues. Since then, the center has striven to provide occupational therapy services to children who have little to no insurance. And to help the center carry on its mission, students have organized the art show and auction, featuring more than 100 works of art crafted by occupational therapy students in the Mid-South.
“We partner with Le Bonheur and the school public school systems,” says Zachry. “We provide canvas and paints to any child receiving OT, and they create the artwork and donate it for the auction. Also, Rachel Stevens was from Batesville, Arkansas, so several OT clinics from that area are donating artwork, too. And, for the first year ever, we will also be featuring artworks created by adults with disabilities.”
With a “The Greatest Art Show” theme, the masterpieces on display will be surrounded by circus decorations, photo booth with carnival props, a character dressed as a ringmaster, glitter tattoos, face painting, popcorn, and other light refreshments.
Zachry says the art show does wonders for the children who participate. “It's really great for the children,” she says. “A lot of times they have so many challenges that they're facing. But, when they come to the art show wearing t-shirts that say “I'm an Artist”, stand next to their artwork, and see people bidding, it really boosts their self esteem.”
The Rachel Kay Stevens Art Show and Auction, free and open to the public, takes place at Madison Plaza Lobby (920 Madison Avenue) from 4-6 p.m.