"My first sculpture class got me hooked and I haven't looked back since."

Great artists make artists. And to prove that point, over 70 of today's greatest have contributed their work in support of Children's Museum of the Arts' Emergency Arts Education Fund, establishing utterly ambitious art programs in New York City schools that need them most.

Bidding for the online auction concludes Thursday, October 19 at 12 PM EDT. Bid now. Bid often. Bid here.

Below, meet auction artist Gracelee Lawrence.

Gracelee painting in the kitchen; Sanford, North Carolina

When did you first know you were going to be an artist?

I never questioned my creative impulses but didn't know that I would be an artist until I was in college. Even though I had been an avid maker (primarily ceramics) since early middle school, it took the guidance of an incredible educator to help me understand the possibilities. My first sculpture class got me hooked and I haven't looked back since.

Can you describe a formative experience visiting a museum or gallery?

I was so fortunate that my parents and grandparents valued the experience of seeing art. As a child, my grandmother and I would often visit the North Carolina Museum of Art as our special activity together. Spending time with her looking at art is truly one of my most beloved memories and gave me the invaluable perspective of how art can live in the world.

Gracelee Lawrence 

Precarious Carnation 

3D printed PLA bioplastic

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