The EarthSong Artists get together every Thursday and have since the days when they first formed at the former Sharon Arts Center.
It is a collection of 11 artists who simply enjoy painting as a group. During one of their meetings, the topic of COVID-19 came up and its impact on others.
“Someone said it would be nice to give something to people affected by COVID,” said Earthsong member Barbara Danser. The idea evolved into donating paintings to bring in funds for a worthy cause.
On Sunday, paintings from 10 members of the group along with one other local artist will go up for auction to benefit Maps Counseling Services with all proceeds from the sales going to help subsidize scholarships and therapy groups through Maps. The auction will run from noon on May 23 through noon on May 30 on the Maps Facebook page.
The first-ever Maps Art Auction coincides with National Mental Health Awareness month and the event reflects on what executive director Bethann Clauss calls “a difficult year of quarantines and restrictions.”
“It’s been a long, hard year for folks in mental health. Services are in extremely high demand as more and more people are experiencing higher levels of anxiety, depression and increased suicidality and family conflict,” Clauss said.
The extra funds could not come at a better time as Maps tries to increase its availability to those in need of services.
“We’ve been trying to increase accessibility to larger numbers,” Clauss said. “We’re currently offering three support groups. … a cancer support group, a grandparents’ group for those caring for their grandchildren, and a parents’ group for those who have been separated from their children who are working towards reunification to maximize their success.”
Danser said the original thought was for each EarthSong artist to donate one painting for the auction.
“Some people have given more than one,” she said.
She said each artist tried to pick something that was uplifting.
“The whole purpose is to give people a breath of fresh air,” Danser said. She herself donated Joyful Bouquet, a collection of bright-colored flowers in a vase. “Nothing in my opinion could be more cheerful.”
Maps counseling services have helped clients in Cheshire and Hillsborough counties since 1973. The nonprofit agency has 17 licensed therapists, three interns and two residents who are not yet licensed clinicians.
“Once Covid hit we were aware that many people had been impacted in so many ways,” said Ilona Kwiecien, an EarthSong member. “Mental health is a huge issue as a result of all these trials that people have gone through. There’s going to be a lot of mental health assistance that people are going to need.”
For Danser, it feels good to give back and said the group has already talked about doing it again next year for another local organization. The EarthSong artists participating include: Tamara Benaquist, Barbara Danser, Pamela Dexter, Susan Ellis, William Gill, Mary Kirk, Ilona Kwiecien, Arlene Laurenitis, Christina Meinke and AnneMarie Warren, as well as Dublin artist Maureen Ahern.
For those not on Facebook, visit the Maps website for more information on how to participate in the auction.
More information regarding the Maps Art Auction can be found on Facebook by searching Maps Counseling Service and their website at mapsnh.org.
To contact Maps, call 355-2244 or email office@MAPSnh.org.