HAYS- In the annex of the Hays Art Gallery Friday night, October 23, there hung countless works of donated art for sale for the benefit of one individual. Brian Hutchinson, a graduate student here at Fort Hays State, was diagnosed in early 2015 with brain cancer.
Hutchinson underwent surgery in June and spent a total of seven days in the hospital. “The bill I got for those seven days was unbelievable,” he says. Mr. Hutchinson is back to work now in Great Bend where he teaches 7th and 8th-grade art. “I was really missing the kids,” he exclaims.
The benefit sale was organized by FHSU printmaking instructor Gordon Sherman. When asked why he went through all this work for one person, Sherman simply stated that “he’s my boy; like one of my own.”
The funds raised from this event will help pay for Hutchinson’s mounting medical bills. Juanita Estrada, an undergraduate printmaking student and assistant with the event, donated one of her own pieces. She later explained that all of the artwork for sale was submitted by artists from all over the state.
Hutchinson’s sister has also set up a Go Fund Me page titled “Help for the Hutchinsons”. Hutchinson says he is astounded by all of the support he has received. Both the internet campaign and art sale were completely unsolicited by Hutchinson; his sister Christina and mentor Sherman acted entirely on their own accord.
“I will always be grateful for the help,” says Hutchinson.
For more information, follow the link- Hutchinson Go Fund Me