MSU invites the community to 15th annual A Taste of the Arts benefit event

MURRAY, Ky. – The College of Humanities and Fine Arts at Murray State University invites the public to attend the 15th annual A Taste of the Arts dinner and live auction event, with proceeds designated to provide scholarships for fine arts students.

The event will be held on Thursday, October 17, in Lovett Auditorium. Doors open at 5 p.m. for a cocktail hour, and dinner will be served at 6 p.m. The event is sponsored by FNB Bank and will showcase performances by fine arts students, a free photo booth by Patrick Abanathy of Abanathy Photography, LLC, a fine dining experience provided by Sodexo and a live auction conducted by professional auctioneer Tanner Roberts.

“A Taste of the Arts is an essential scholarship fundraiser for our hardworking fine arts students,” said David Balthrop, dean of Murray State’s College of Humanities and Fine Arts. “However, it is so much more. It brings together our community to celebrate the importance of the arts in all of our lives, and it showcases our next generation of artists, musicians and actors. I hope you will join us for an evening of inspiration, philanthropy and fun.”

As part of the event, the College of Humanities and Fine Arts annually awards the Outstanding Alumni in the Fine Arts. This year’s recipient is Carrie Stover (’05). Stover serves with the leadership team as the Director of the Shrode Art Center at Cedarhurst Center for the Arts in Mount Vernon, Illinois, where she has worked since 2006. As director, she curates the Regenhardt Gallery, which focuses on highlighting artists in the southern Illinois region through juried competitions and solo exhibitions. She also organizes educational programs, teaches, oversees craft affinity groups and develops cutting-edge programs to successfully grow support for the arts in the region. The Illinois Association of Museums selected her as the 2022 Museum Professional of the Year, which is a prestigious statewide honor. As an artist, Stover exhibits her ceramic work in galleries nationally.

“The Department of Art & Design is thrilled to bestow this well-deserved honor on alumna Carrie Stover,” said Dr. Rebecca Williams, Art & Design Department chair. “Her work as a leader in the arts community makes a difference in our region, and she generously supports our current Murray State students by sharing her wisdom and experience through speaking and jurying engagements. Carrie is a wonderful ambassador for our department and our University, and we are excited for the opportunity to introduce her to our guests at this year’s A Taste of the Arts.”

The College also selects an annual recipient for the Outstanding Fine Arts Young Alumni award, and this year’s winner is Leva Bates (’03). Bates is a professional wrestler who made her debut in 2006 and won the Southeastern Championship Wrestling Women’s Championship in 2008. In addition to her numerous championship wins, she is best known for her work with All Elite Wrestling where she appeared as The Librarian. In 2023, she appeared in the Netflix reality show “Squid Game: The Challenge.”

All proceeds benefit the Taste of the Arts scholarship fund, which directly supports students in the fine arts in their pursuit of a quality arts education. This fund supported 46 students in the 2023-24 academic year in their studies at Murray State.

Advance registration is required; the reservation deadline is October 7 or until all seats are filled. Individual tickets are $75, and full tables of eight are $550. To sponsor a table, RSVP to reserve individual seats or request more information, visit murraystate.edu/homecoming or contact Aviva Yasgur in the Office of Development by October 7 at 270-809-4518. To make a direct contribution to the Taste of the Arts scholarship fund, please contact Kala Dunn at 270-809-3940 or kallendunn@murraystate.edu.