Painting for the Pantry raising money for Montana food banks

Since April 29, the Havre Art Association has participated in "Painting for the Pantry" an ongoing event started in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in which artists around Montana sell paintings for $50 a piece and all the proceeds go to a food bank or pantry of the buyer's choice.

Barbara Zuck, a professor at Montana State University Northern who is helping to organize the event, said it has been extremely successful so far.

"It just blew up in a really positive way... the art just sells immediately," she said.

Painting for the Pantry was the idea of Leslie Kesler, an artist and resident of Choteau, and Zuck said, she has done amazing work, having donated more than 40 pieces of her own at time this article was written.

"Kudos to Leslie for coming up with this idea, she has put her heart and soul into this," Zuck said.

Paintings still available for purchase from members of the Havre Art Association are displayed at Artitudes Gallery in the Atrium Mall.

"People can come up and look through the gate at them, Artitudes is not going to be open for a while yet," said Kris Shaw, an artist and member of the Havre Art Association.

She said art is being sold primarily through a Facebook page called Painting for the Pantry Montana, which has more than 45 albums of artwork created by art associations like the one in Havre, as well as individual artists across the state.

Zuck said it has been a mix of all kinds of artists from full-time professionals to weekend hobbyists.

She said Kesler's goal was to raise $10,000, but in the six days since the event began more than $17,000 worth of paintings have been donated.

Shaw said buyers from across Montana have purchased art in the fundraiser, including from Augusta, Great Falls and even from neighboring states like Idaho.

She said many of her fellow artists are working every day to make paintings for the event.

"There are several artists on that site who are doing a painting a day," she said.

Zuck said she thinks the nature of the cause is driving the speed at which the paintings are being sold.

"This has just really been a cause the donors have wanted to support," Zuck said.

she said many people want to help their communities during the pandemic, and this event has become a way for people to do that while enjoying the artistic talents of their fellow Montanans.

Echoing the sentiments of Kesler, she said, this program has been a win-win for artists, allowing them to use their talents amid the pandemic to help people in need, but also as a way to network with each other and connect with other artists across the state. She said it has also provided exposure for a lot of these artists.

"I also feel like I've gotten to know, through Facebook and social media, other artists around the state and it's been super fun to see their work," Zuck said.

Shaw said she has enjoyed seeing the work of other artists around the state as well as the newest work of artists she's familiar with.

She also said the positivity of the responses she's received on social media are encouraging.

"It is nice to go on the site and see positive comments under your artwork," she said.

Zuck said she has received thank you notes from many donors, and she's shocked by just how popular the event has become.

"For me, personally that's just been super cool to think that all these little rural towns and artists across a relatively rural state, we're coming together and creating something collectively," she said.

Zuck said the event is still going strong and there is no sign of stopping yet.

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Online: Painting for the Pantry Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Painting-for-the-Pantry-108027934191178 .