Annual Exceptional Foundation Art Show

The Exceptional Foundation is known as “a special place for those with special needs,” and its upcoming art show event intends to show off how this comes to life each day.

The 10th Annual Art Show & Auction, to be held Sept. 19 from 6-9 p.m., will showcase pieces made by the foundation’s participants.

The event will feature music, food, wine and beer, a silent auction and artwork in a casual atmosphere.

Along with a free, hand-painted wine glass made by The Exceptional Foundation participants, attendees can indulge in a variety of delights provided by local restaurants. Café Dupont, Little Donkey and Spoonfed Grill have agreed to donate food to the event.

The silent auction includes prizes such as dinner for two at Little Donkey and a vacation rental house that sleeps up to 10 people, donated by WaterColor Inn and Resort. Winners will also receive artistic masterpieces created by participants at The Exceptional Foundation and other local artists.

Birmingham artists whose work will also be featured include Annie Kammerer Butrus, Buffy Hargett, Fred Nall Hollis and Chris Davis. Davis, a graphic designer at the foundation, was recently announced as the 2013 Emerging Artist by Magic City Art Connection.

Ruth Bean, a member of the communications department at the organization, said any art on display is for sale. The art show benefits the organization as one of its two major fundraisers.

Last year more than 400 people came in support of the event, raising more than $100,000 for the foundation. The foundation expects the show to have at least 100 art pieces this year.

Bean said the participants enjoy watching their creations that they work on all year long go home with patrons.

“Creativity doesn’t care whether you [have] special needs or not,” Bean said.

Understanding this, several families gathered in the Homewood Recreation  Center almost 20 years ago to target social and recreational needs not met within the community for people with special needs. 

Now the foundation caters to more than 100 individuals per day, and more than 400 participants throughout the year, serving youth and adults.

To sponsor the art show, make an auction donation or volunteer, contact the foundation at 870-0776 or contact Janie Jones at jjones@exceptionalfoundation.org.

The Exceptional Foundation is located at 1616 Oxmoor Road, next to Homewood Central Park. For more, visit exceptionalfoundation.org.