ART OF HEALING CANCELLED FOR 2020 DUE TO COVID-19; HOWEVER, ONLINE ART AND GIFT AUCTION WILL BE OPEN TO ALL WHO WISH TO PARTICIPATE

HOW TO SIGN UP FOR THE ON-LINE AUCTION: CLICK HERE

ART OF HEALING ON-LINE AUCTION OPENS: WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2020 AT 8 A.M.

ART OF HEALING ON-LINE AUCTION CLOSES: SATURDAY, JULY 11^TH AT 5 P.M.

The Art of Healing Online Auction is sure to make more revenue for the South Central Health Care Foundation than in any year in the history of the event. Why? Because the auction collection this year is the best yet and there will be no registration fee required for participants. The auction will be expanded online to anyone who wishes to participate. But most of all, our funds will increase, because our sponsors have been so gracious to contribute their sponsorship contributions towards the auction. All proceeds go to the South Central Health Care Foundation to fund community health initiatives in Jones County, MS throughout the year. Lives have been saved as a result of the community health events funded by the Art of Healing.

THE 2020 ART OF HEALING ON-LINE AUCTION COLLECTION INCLUDES:

ACRYLIC PAINTINGS — HAND-MADE JEWELRY – POTTERY — A VACATION STAY MIXED MEDIA — WATERCOLOR PAINTINGS — A HAND-CARVED KNIFE — STAINED GLASS — PHOTOGRAPHY — EVENT TICKETS – ART CLASSES – COSMETIC SERVICES WOODWORKING – RETAIL GIFT CERTIFICATES – AND MORE

New auction pieces are arriving daily. CLICK HERE TO PREVIEW and REGISTER!

Becky Collins, Executive Director of the South Central Health Care Foundation, said, “The Art of Healing, held each year in March, has become one of the most anticipated events in the community with more than 400 individuals attending each year. Over the last few years, the event has featured an online auction through Greater Giving, which allows participants to bid on items on their iPhone or iPad while they socialize with others at the event. The highlight of the evening is dinner and dancing to the music of one of the top bands in the South—Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster.”

“With guidance from the Mississippi State Department of Health and the Medical Staff Leadership at South Central Regional Medical Center, the event planners for the Art of Healing made the decision in early March to reschedule the event for Saturday, July 11^th in hope COVID-19 would decline and large groups of people could gather again by mid-summer. It was a reasonable plan, but as you know, the number of COVID-19 cases in Jones County and surrounding areas have continued to rise. The health of our community is of utmost importance to us, so our planning team had no choice but cancel the event for 2020,” Collins said. “Hopefully this will all be behind us by 2021, and we can host the Art of Healing at The Gables again.”

Technology has offered a solution to help support the South Central Health Care Foundation. Collins explains, “Art of Healing is the largest fundraiser for our Foundation. In 2017, the Art of Healing began offering electronic bidding at the event for event guests. Due to the cancellation of the main social event on July 11, we have worked to offer an online, public auction through Greater Giving. Users can simply visit scrmc.com, click ‘Art of Healing Auction’, click start bidding, enter your registration information and start browsing the site. The auction opens for bidding on Wednesday, July 8^th at 8 a.m. It is a blessing to have this technology in place.”

Guests will place bids from their cell phone, tablet, laptop or desktop. They will be notified if they have been outbid, so they may place another bid or set a ‘max bid’. Collins stated, “This is a great way to feature the work of artists locally and those from around the country who have contributed to the event. We are excited to open this auction to anyone who would like to participate. There is something for everyone in this collection – including paintings, photography, jewelry, gift certificates, a vacation stay, pottery and more.”

2020 has been different in many ways. The event planners worked diligently with sponsors and vendors to reschedule the original event. “We are very thankful for the support and flexibility of The Gables and other vendors, along with our sponsors. Their willingness shows their true dedication to our community,” Collins said.

Sponsors for Art of Healing On-Line Auction include: BancorpSouth | Blakeney Communication | Brian Ginn – State Farm | Burson, Entrekin, Orr, Mitchell, Lacey | Carr, Riggs & Ingram | Cerner | City of Laurel | Community Bank | Ear, Nose & Throat Surgical Clinic | Headrick Signs & Graphics | HORNE, LLP | Howard Industries, Inc. | IMPACT | John D. Jefcoat – State Farm | Joiner Insurance | Jones College | Jones County Chamber of Commerce | Laurel Cancer Care | Laurel Leader-Call | Laurel Rotary Club | Magnolia State Bank | Mississippi Power | Mutual of America | Radiology Associates, P.A. | Southern Advantage, Inc. | The First | The Gables | Trustmark National Bank | WDAM | WHLT

For those who previously purchased a ticket for the 2020 Art of Healing, all tickets purchases will be refunded. “We encourage our community to visit our website at scrmc.com or our Facebook event pages: Art of Healing 2020 or South Central Regional Medical Center. We will be sharing more information regarding the online auction daily.” If anyone has any questions regarding the event, please contact our office at 601-399-0503.