CAMDEN — AIO Food & Energy Assistance announces the opening of the 3rd Annual ArtFeeds: Artists Against Food Insecurity exhibition and online silent auction, taking place September 19-28, 2024, at Page Gallery, in Camden. The event will showcase a collection of wooden bowls shaped and donated by Maine State Correctional Facility’s industries program, and decorated by well-known Maine artists. Each artist interprets sharing food and fighting food insecurity in their creative style on each bowl. 

The exhibition will open on September 19, coinciding with Camden’s third Thursday art walk. The online silent auction also opens on September 19 and runs the length of the exhibition, culminating with a reception on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 4 - 5 p.m., at Page Gallery. The exhibition is free and open to the public. All funds raised from the online silent auction will go to support AIO’s programs. 

“I found myself in a unique position when invited to participate in this year's AIO ArtFeeds fundraiser. A little over a year ago I bought an old fixer upper of a house with my partner that abuts AIO Food Market,” said Tyler Weeks, one of ArtFeeds participating artists. “As AIO's neighbor and resident of Rockland, I'm so impressed by the organization and everything that they do for our community. I see first hand how many people AIO serves and really believe in the work that they do to help fight against food insecurity. As a plein air painter it felt only fitting to make a painting inspired by the land that we share. Pictured are two orange beach towels drying on a line in our backyard facing the food panty. To the left you can make out the old food pantry building, now replaced with a new and sparkling food market. It's an honor to give back to an organization that gives so much and to call AIO my neighbor.”

Participating artist Tara Morin shares, “This will be my third year participating in the ArtFeeds auction. As an artist and art educator, I find that this type of art engagement, collaborative initiatives that benefit our neighbors, is where I want to put forth the majority of my creative energy. When creative practice and community building come together, everyone wins. AIO is a critical resource in the Midcoast community and I feel extremely honored to have the opportunity to support their good work anyway that I can.”

“This partnership is personal”, says Maine Department of Corrections Commissioner Randall Liberty. “I grew up food insecure, I grew up with that shame and fear. No one should have to go through that. The impact of this trauma has informed my professional outlook. The Maine Department of Corrections operates within a framework of transforming lives, just like AIO. We believe in rehabilitation, humanism, and reducing stigma. We believe in being of service to the community. Residents bake, grow and harvest thousands of pounds of food specifically for the benefit of those food insecure in the mid coast. Innovative programs and collaborative efforts, like ArtFeeds, ensure food is accessible to all, reduces stigma, and allows those incarcerated artists and farmers a pathway to personal and community redemption”, says Maine Department of Corrections Commissioner Liberty. “We share in AIO’s vision to have a hunger-free community.”

2024 participating artists include Annie Bailey, Hannah Berta, Meghan Brady, Beth Bull, Sophie Cangelosi, Eric Darling, Caroline Dishop, Ingrid Ellison, Hélène Farrar, Amy Files,  Ileana Appleton Foster, Nancy Glassman, Truth Hawk, Alanna Hernandez, Eric Hopkins, Janet Horton, Alexis Iammarino, Ariana Killoran, Amy Lowry, Nathaniel Meyer, Tara Morin, Colin Page, Leecia Price, Avery Reed, Margaret Rizzio, Carol Sloane, Catherine Steiner-Adair, Barbara Sullivan, Simon van der Ven, Laura Waller, Tyler Weeks, Susan Williams, and a resident of the Maine State Correctional Facility.

Artists’ creative process and artist statements are being shared on AIO’s social accounts: @aiofoodpantry (Instagram) and @AIOFoodpantry70 (Facebook).

Links to all artists’ works, bidding instructions, and additional information about AIO Food & Energy Assistance can be found at www.AIO4me.org. Media professionals seeking additional information, interviews, or coverage appointments are requested to contact Executive Director Alan Kearl at AIO Food & Energy Assistance through email at alan@aiofoodpantry.org or by calling 207-596-1043 (extension 105).

About AIO

AIO Food & Energy Assistance is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing vital assistance to individuals and families in need. Through their various programs, including food, energy, weekend meals, and diaper assistance, AIO strives to alleviate the hardships faced by vulnerable community members. By fostering community engagement, collaboration, and support, AIO empowers individuals to achieve self-sufficiency and overcome adversities.