Encouragement, acrylic and jazz

Dozens paint at Feed Our Scholars fundraiser
Tue, 02/12/2019 - 7:45am

Bath's Linda Wallace used to paint, 40 years ago. She saw Friday night's paint party at St.Philip's Church in Wiscasset as a chance to give it another try, and to meet people, she said.

The event benefited Wiscasset Feed Our Scholars Backpack Initiative. Registrations raised $525 and donations came to another $150, said coordinator Sharman Ballantine. The program aids chronically hungry children

"How many first-timers do we have here," Sue Begin of Cre8ive Events in Augusta asked as she began to lead about 35 participants in painting a bird in winter. "Oh, I like this," she said, smiling when several hands rose. "Don't you worry. We got this."

While attendees painted, Wiscasset artist Mat O'Donnell, in the back of the room, prepared to play jazz on a guitar.

Asked for his take as an artist on a group painting a subject by instructions, he said no two works would end up looking the same, and the experience might lead some people to take up painting. Those who turned out were showing courage, he said.