Collaborative artwork benefits We Care Arts
KETTERING, Ohio (WDTN) — A local arts organization has developed a unique partnership to create collaborative masterpieces that will go up for auction and benefit the nonprofit.
At We Care Arts in Kettering, the mission is to empower people with disabilities, physical challenges, mental health or substance use disorders through art and community.
Ahead of the nonprofit's annual black and white gala, 30 artist clients were paired with 30 community artists to collaborate on a piece of artwork.
'The response was overwhelming both by our artist clients as well as the community artists,' states Rick Willits, Director of Community Engagement at We Care Arts.
It's part of a new initiative called Together We Care.
'An art gallery is my dream,' says Jenny R. who created a piece for the gala, paired with community artist Marsha Pippenger.
Artists bring clients' dreams to life.
'Every single day I get to be around positive, creative, giving individuals. Bar none, I am one of the luckiest people in the greater Miami Valley. If I'm having a bad day, when I come in here, the mood is always creative. It's festive. It's fun,' states Willits.
Each piece is as unique as each artist.
'I have blue stripes over here. And have orange over here,' describes artist client Angela S., who created a series of cat paintings with community artist Ariel White.
The artwork will be auctioned off at the gala, which is a moneymaker for the organization.
'They were really, really excited not just to be a part of the project, but to also give back,' says Willits.
'it definitely makes me feel good and encouraged,' says Jenny M., who created a mixed media collage with community artist Margie McCullough.
The black and white Together We Care gala is Friday, February 28 at the Presidential Banquet Center. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
About half of the collaborative artwork will be auctioned off live that night. The other half will be available for bidding in a silent auction online.
Click here for more information.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Manny Pacquiao and Sydney Sweeney Headline 2025 Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend
Canastota, NY is known as the showplace for boxing and has continued to be the location for the International Boxing Hall of Fame Induction ceremony. 'It's a great time for boxing because the whole world of boxing focuses on this celebration to honor the new class of inductees,' said Ed Brophy, the Executive Director of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. This year's class featured 14 names, four received posthumous inductions and 10 were in attendance. Those names included referee Kenny Bayless in the non-participant category, television producer Ross Greenberg, and journalist Randy Gordon in the observer category, and fighters Manny 'Pac Man' Pacquiao, 'The Pazmanian Devil' Vinny Paz, Michael 'Second To' Nunn, Mary Jo Sanders, Cathy 'Cat' Davis, Yessica 'Kika' Chavez and Anne Sophie Mathis. From Thursday to Sunday, fans had the opportunity to take pictures, get autographs hear ring side talks from previous and new inductees and see the fist casting for the new inductees. 'This is the highest honor to get inducted into the Hall of Fame and fans come from all over,' Brophy said. 'Boxing's the greatest sport and we're excited to present the highest honor.' 'I've been coming to the International Boxing Hall of Fame since 2009, because of the love, because of how well Ed Brophy runs the show here and to actually be inducted just took it up another level for me,' Bayless said. On Sunday, the Parade of Champions made it's way through the streets of Canastota and saw celebrities and previous hall of fame inductees like George Cooney, Jackie Kallen. The parade was headlined by Christy Martin and the Grand Marshal, actress Sydney Sweeney, who will be portraying Martin in a movie later this year. After the parade was the induction ceremony at Turning Stone where the 2025 class received their Hall of Fame rings, reminisced on the past and gave some words of encouragement. 'Don't give up, just stay focused,' Pacquiao said. 'Hard work and discipline. The most important is discipline that's what we can do so we can fulfill our dreams in life. It might not be in boxing but in our lives we have a dream to fulfill, to accomplish. So we should believe in ourselves, of course believe in God, and have hard work and discipline.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
ABQ BioPark welcomes Sumatran orangutan
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – There's a new face at the ABQ BioPark. The male Sumatran orangutan named Elok, who is 24 years old, recently moved to the BioPark from the Oklahoma City Zoo. The move was recommended by the orangutan species survival plan. How a wildlife researcher is estimating Albuquerque's badger population 'We're excited to welcome Elok to the BioPark,' said Lynn Tupa, Associate Director for the BioPark, in a news release. 'Every animal that joins our community is part of a larger story about protecting species for the future, and Elok's arrival shows the importance of partnerships and the vital role zoos play in conservation. We're proud to provide him with a space where he can thrive, and we know our guests will fall in love with him just as quickly as we have.' Elok joins Sarah, Rubi, Pixel, and Bulan in the new Asia habitats. Right now, he is acclimating to his new environment and will be introduced to the other orangutans in the future. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Huber Heights announces plans for new music venue, hotel, restaurant
HUBER HEIGHTS, Ohio (WDTN) — During his State of the City address, Mayor Jeff Gore revealed plans for several new developments in Huber Heights. Mayor Gore announced three major developments coming to the city in the next few years. Walls installed at Huber Heights Buc-ee's site First, a new indoor music venue will be coming to Executive Boulevard. The 56,000 square foot 'cutting edge performance space' will be able to accommodate 3,500 guests for a variety of events and shows. The venue is estimated to open in 2028. Additionally, a new hotel will open adjacent to the venue, featuring two restaurants within. Gore says the venue and hotel will further establish an entertainment district for Huber Heights, offering 'a dynamic hub for conferences, expos, and special events.' Finally, Dublin Pub will open a new location, Dublin Seven, offering upscale Irish cuisine, live music and more. This restaurant will also be located within the entertainment district. Mayor Gore says these announcements are a major step forward for Huber Heights. 'These announcements are all wonderful signs of our momentum, and each represent the kind of city that we're building together,' said Gore. 'One that values connection, celebrates progress and plans boldly for our future.' Mayor Gore also praised the city's growth in the past year, stating 30 new businesses opened in Huber Heights last year, and 22 have opened so far this year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
