Middle Way House to hold art auction

Middle Way House, Inc., a domestic violence and rape crisis center in Bloomington, is holding a benefit art auction at 7 p.m. Saturday the IU Foundation on the 45/46 Bypass. \n"The auction will feature everything from prints to paintings and vases to wall ornaments," said Lisa Morrison, the media director for the auction. \nOne of the feature items that will be auctioned is a Picasso print donated by actor and IU graduate Kevin Kline.\n"There will also be some really interesting African art," Morrison said. "This will be a rare opportunity to pick up some pieces that would be harder to get in larger markets."\nMorrison said she hopes that Bloomington residents who are interested in collecting art or decorating will attend the auction, which will also feature a reception with beverages, wine and hors d'oeuvres. She said buyers will most likely find pieces of art at a fraction of retail prices. \nMiddle Way House serves Bloomington and surrounding areas and provides 24-hour hotline support, legal support, emergency crisis intervention counseling, emergency shelter and emergency child care for women and children. \nAccording to its Web site, Middle Way House's mission is to end violence in the lives of women and children by implementing or sponsoring activities and programs aimed at achieving individual and social change. \n"The program has been around for over 20 years," Morrison said. "They have helped thousands of women and children in crisis."\nExecutive Director of Middle Way House Toby Strout said proceeds from the auction will go to support basic and emergency services the organization provides. \nMiddle Way House is also expanding itself with a project called New Wings development. It will have office space, transitional housing and daycare programs in the old Coca-Cola bottling plant on Third Street as part of a historic renovation. The center purchased this property with the help of the Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association, the Business Investment Incentive, Housing and Neighborhood Development and Landmark Historic Preservation.\n"(Middle Way House) is a service we really can't do without if we care about women and children," Strout said. \nIn addition to providing a safe haven for women and children, the center also offers the women it serves jobs in its own business, Middleway Food Works, a service that caters food to various institutional settings. Food Works will be catering the auction.\nStrout said about 90 items will be auctioned. Admission to the event is $7.50.\nFor more information on Middle Way House or for information on volunteer opportunities, call 333-7404.\n"We can never have too many volunteers," Strout said.