Looking for a Mother’s Day activity that is fun, creative and productive? All are invited to Painting with a Purpose on Saturday, May 13 at the First Baptist Church of Brooksville; and it’s for a good cause! Painting with a Purpose will be celebrated from 2-4 pm at the church, located at 420 Howell Ave. in Brooksville. All proceeds will be donated to Jericho Road Ministries.
Art Instructor Maggie Szabo, who recently retired from a 25-year career as a Pinellas County art teacher, will teach this course, which is open to artists of all experience levels. “This day is all about women, and men if they choose, coming together to have a great time,” said Szabo. “Moms and their children can paint together, to celebrate Mother’s Day. Moms and daughters might paint something special for Grandma, and anyone can paint their own, very special Mother’s Day gifts.”
The class will be creating acrylic paintings based on a lovely floral design provided by the instructor; in addition, all supplies will be provided as a part of the admission cost. “My goal is always to help students paint something they can hang in their homes,” she said. “They should have fun as they paint, talk and laugh, and draw inspiration from each other. They shouldn’t have to worry about how the painting will look when they’re done.”
As students paint and create to their heart’s content, they’ll also be supporting a good cause. Proceeds from this event will benefit Jericho Road Ministries, which according to an organizational mission statement, “exists to be a conduit of God’s love to those in need in their time of peril. Jericho operates shelters, recovery programs, food distribution, and social enterprises to ensure that all people are treated with dignity, honor and love. Jericho’s foundation has been, is, and will always be the unchanging nature of God and His perfect word, the Bible.”
“I volunteer and hold Bible discussions at Jericho Road, and think they do great work,” said Szabo. “I have worked with April at Jericho Road to put together this and other fund-raisers, and my art sessions are by far the most popular.”
Szabo said that she is guided in her efforts by the Biblical verse, “Christ commanded his followers to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20).” She enjoys celebrating her faith through her art, and encouraging others to do the same.
This mission is shared by staff at the First Baptist Church of Brooksville, which regularly hosts food drives and other benefits on behalf of Jericho Road. “We do everything we can to support what they do,” said Jen Vitale, secretary at First Baptist Church of Brooksville.
Registration for Painting with a Purpose is $15; for tickets and info contact Jen Vitale at 352-796-6791, or e-mail [email protected]. “My favorite part of these classes,” said Szabo, “is to see the smiles on the faces of students when they see their finished paintings.”
