On Saturday, March 24th, Artique A Family Arts Studio in Putnam hosted the 4th Annual Paint for a Purpose for NOW, a fundraiser with a creative twist. For 2018, the event featured two painting events, an afternoon Hydrangea painting on slate and an evening wine & beer glass painting, with 50 people participating. Artique owner Lisa Andrews generously donated $10 from each reserved seat back to Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, Inc. (NOW), a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of youth wellness. The event raised a total of $600.

Participants of the two events were greeted with complimentary food and beverages donated by local businesses. Friendly Spirits of Danielson donated wine, beer, and cider to the event with The Lunch Box Catering Company providing a variety of appetizers. Both businesses have supported the Paint for a Purpose for all four years of the event. NOW Board members Christine Collins, Linda Lamoureux and Joshua Longiaru also volunteered throughout the afternoon and evening to ensure all participants enjoyed the complimentary snacks while focusing on painting.

NOW Executive Director Sarah Wolfburg commented on the event, “This is the fourth consecutive year we’ve partnered with Artique, Friendly Spirits and The Lunch Box Catering Company for this event and it is always a fun experience. We sincerely appreciate the time and talent that each business contributes; the Paint for a Purpose symbolizes the generosity of spirit that can be found in our region.”

The funds raised at the Paint for a Purpose support NOW scholarships, specifically the NOW Book Award, given annually to two graduating high school seniors who have a background of youth mentoring. Past awards were given to students from Tourtellotte Memorial High School (2015), Killingly High School (2016), and Woodstock Academy (2017). In total, the annual Paint for a Purpose event with Artique has raised over $2,900 since 2015.