12-02-2025
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.
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