CAMDEN – AIO announces the opening of ArtFeeds, an exhibition and online silent auction of a collection of 30 wooden bowls to support food, energy, weekend meal and helping the layers of the organization.
Thirty Midcoast artists created their own bowl or worked with a carved wooden bowl donated by residents of the Maine State Correctional Facility Industries Program. The only direction for the artists was to “create something that represents the community caring for each other with food,” according to Joe Ryan, executive director of AIO, in a press release.
ArtFeeds Artists-in-Action Against Food Insecurity is a unique collaboration between artists, Page Gallery and Maine State Correctional Facility, coming together to highlight and support AIO’s programs.
The exhibition will run from 3-10 September 2022 at Page Gallery, Camden. The online silent auction also opens September 3 and runs for the duration of the exhibition, culminating with a reception on Saturday, September 10, 4-6 p.m., at Page Gallery. Final offers must be submitted by 6 p.m. The exhibition is free and open to the public.
Those interested in seeing the exhibition and participating in the silent auction are invited to register in advance. Information about silent auctions can be found on the AIO website: aiofoodpantry.org/artfeeds. All proceeds from the silent auction will support AIO’s four programs: Pantry, Energy Support, Weekend Meals and Diaper Program.
“This week-long art exhibit and closing reception represents an entire summer of artists, volunteers, partner organizations and supporters working together to demonstrate how one community can meet the challenges many families face. “said AIO Executive Director Joe Ryan. “For winning bidders, an ArtFeeds bowl will be a family treasure for generations to come, and the benefit for hundreds of local families will be immediate.”
Participating artists include: Lise Bécu, Hannah Berta, Meghan Brady, Beth Bull, Caroline Dishop, Ingrid Ellison, Ileana Appleton Foster, Eric Hopkins, Ariela Kuh, Alexis Iammarino, Monica Kelly, Sal Taylor Kydd, Sarah G Lee, Nathaniel Meyer, Christopher Mir, Tara Morin, Sarah McRae Morton, Colin Page, Margaret Rizzio, Anneli Skaar, Marianne Smith, Barbara Sullivan, Greta Van Campen, Simon van der Ven, Hannah Secord Wade, Peter Walls, Andy White, Margaret Williams, Susan Williams and a resident of the Maine State Correctional Facility.
AIO will share artists’ creative process and artists’ statements on @aiofoodpantry (Instagram) and @AIOFoodpantry70 (Facebook).
About AIO food and energy assistance:
AIO Food & Energy Assistance has been addressing food and energy insecurity in Knox County for over 30 years and continues to work throughout the community to raise awareness with the goal of reaching anyone who may need help. ‘assistance. AIO participates in our local food system, joining food producers, distributors and preparers with donors, volunteers and local businesses to minimize food waste, maximize local resources and share the abundance of food that exists in our community. .
AIO is experiencing a rapid increase in program enrollment due to both the enhanced program experience and challenging economic conditions. So far this year, there has been a more than 100% increase in pantry visits. In June, 3,397 family visits were made to the food pantry, representing 8,881 people. During the 2021-2022 school year, AIO’s weekend meal program provided more than 11,623 weekend packets to school children. AIO provided nearly $200,000 in energy assistance last heating season, the diaper program has distributed over 29,000 diapers so far this year.
To learn more about AIO, please stop by and visit the Pantry at 1A Gordon Drive in Rockland, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. More information about AIO programs, volunteering or how to donate is available at www.AIO4Me.org.