Child care center hosts art auction with kids' work

HUNTINGTON -- It was the fate of artists like Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet to have their artwork be unappreciated by their peers in their time, but history did not repeat itself during River Valley Child Development Service's 5th Annual Children's Art Auction on Nov. 2.

The event, which serves as a fundraiser for the Enterprise Child Development Center in Huntington, and the artwork is created by the children, from newborns to 4-year-olds, who receive care at the center, said Candice Mullins, director of the center.

"It really is up the kids to create the pieces, and we want to give them the opportunity to have free expression," Mullins said. "We provide them with the canvases, the paint and the utensils they use to paint, but everything else is up to them. It's great to see them have that experience."

Many of the pieces were done by individual children, but the collection of work included collaborative efforts between siblings and daycare friends as well as one piece with the input from an entire class.

Last year's event raised $5,000 for the center, which went toward purchasing new security cameras, Mullins said. This year, she said she hoped to match that amount during the event, which included a silent auction featuring gift packages and more framed artwork by the Huntington Hall of Frame.

Proceeds from this year's event will go toward renewing the online curriculum the center uses.

Jennifer and Noah Kennedy, of Huntington, were attending their first art auction, in which their 6-month-old son, Owen, had a featured piece of work.

"It's neat to see his first art piece on display," Jennifer Kennedy said. "It's a wonderful opportunity for parents and the center staff to get together to socialize and support the center and celebrate the children."