Some 51 Newton artists are stepping up to meet the unprecedented uptick in the need for food in the greater Newton Community. The Newton Art Association (NAA) is partnering with the Centre Street Food Pantry and the Newton Food Pantry for a fundraising event,  Art Works for Love.

NAA’s food pantry fundraiser is a unique opportunity to purchase original artwork while helping others in our community. The food pantries need help more than ever. Dr. Regina Wu, Newton Food Pantry president, noted that “In the past six months, the Newton Food Pantry distributed 138 percent more bags of food than we did during the same time last year.”

Amy Less, president of Centre Street Food Pantry, acknowledged the heavy toll that COVID has taken. “We are now giving groceries to twice as many families as we did just one year ago. It is heartwarming to see people coming together, especially during these difficult times.”

If you love art and want to help support Newton’s food pantries, consider purchasing an original art work for your home or as a present. Visit NAA’s Art Works for Love virtual art exhibition featuring paintings, ceramics, sculptures and photographs. When you purchase an art work, half of the proceeds will go to Centre Street Food Pantry and Newton Food Pantry, and the other half to the artists. Many NAA artists are donating all of the sale price to Newton’s food pantries. The more art works that are purchased, the greater the contributions to provide food for our neighbors.

Enjoy browsing through Art Works for Love through Feb. 14 and pick a perfect gift for someone. www.newtonartassociation.com/product-category/art-worksfor-love/

Art Works for Love is the NAA’s second food pantry fundraiser. In November, the NAA launched Art Works for Good offering 82 paintings, drawings, sculptures, jewelry, and fabric works. Sales of 26 pieces resulted in a $3,000 donation split between the two food pantries. This second round will include additional art pieces and run until Valentine’s Day. Since the show is online, anyone with Internet access can purchase a work of art and delivery will be promptly arranged between the buyer and the artist.

Why buy art? Reasons range from inspiring creativity, setting a color scheme, to making a good investment. Read more reasons on the NAA website at https://newtonartassociation.com/art-in-the-home/

The Newton resident who bought Nancy DuVergne Smith’s watercolor, New Hampshire Birches, purchased the work for a friend’s 70th birthday. She was sure her friend, who owns a house in New Hampshire, would enjoy the autumn scene of a lake at Pawtuckaway State Park. “She was delighted to find the perfect gift for her friend—and, as a work of art, it was unique,” says Smith.

Food Pantry Information:
Center Street Food Pantry  www.centrestfoodpantry.org
Newton Food Pantry  www.newtonfoodpantry.org

Founded in 1949, the Newton Art Association works to advance the professional interests of some 200 artist members and to help Newton area residents make art part of their lives through exhibitions, demonstrations, workshops, and scholarships. For more information, visit the Newton Art Association website at www.newtonartassociation.com