Budding artists have been given the opportunity to display their work and give back to the community at the same time.
Viv Lieskovsky, artist and educator at three36 Lakehouse Studio, issued a painting challenge to her students with 20 per cent of sales from their work being donated to the Salvation Army food bank.
“These are people who never have exhibited before, so they are brand new to the art world and I thought it is a nice opportunity for them to have a space to exhibit their work,” said Lieskovsky.
The idea came as she sat in the waiting area of Even Dance studio with her daughter and noticed the walls were quite bare. Lieskovsky issued the painters parameters of using a word associated with dance, including the definition on the work and using different textures in a mixed-media format on a 16 inch by 16 inch canvas. Each piece is on display at the studio and for sale for $125.
“It’s a reasonable price for art as well, especially for that size. You can’t buy something from a store that is of that size and at that price. The bonus here is that it is original art. You could be purchasing a piece from an upcoming artists and turn it into an investment,” said Lieskovsky.
Getting such a great response from the artists, Lieskovsky has tentatively set up other locations for another painting challenge that will also give back to the community.
“I had so much interest and it is just a fun thing to do,” said Lieskovsky.
Featured at the Even Dance studio exhibit, 109-78 Industrial Ave., that runs until Dec. 20 are work from Brianna Braun, Karina Chambers, Connie Hack, Brenda Molyneaux, Mandy Rollins, Mindy Rollins, Nancy Nyhus and Jane Owen. View the work Monday to Thursday from 3:30 to 9:30 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Friday 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Sunday 2 to 5 p.m. To find out more about upcoming painting challenges visit www.vivmcelgunn-lieskovsky.com.
