AIO Food & Energy Assistance announces the names of artists participating in the 3rd Annual ArtFeeds 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. In the first two years of the ArtFeeds event more than $56,000 to support AIO’s four programs: Market, Energy Assistance, Weekend Meals, and Diapers.

The exhibition will open on Thursday, 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, September 28, 4-7 pm at Page Gallery. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

“On the surface, four seemingly disparate communities: the Maine State Correctional Facility, the Page Gallery and community artists, and AIO, a food and energy assistance non-profit, come together each year and ArtFeeds says it all,” said Alan Kearl, AIO executive director, in a news release. “People generously give of their creative talents to help those experiencing food and energy insecurity. Ultimately hundreds of individuals and families will participate in and benefit from this important community event.” 

"Art can be a great platform for raising awareness, telling a story, making a statement about a cause,” said Colin Page. “The form of the bowl provides an interesting creative challenge for artists, and we are always excited to see what they make. We love exhibiting the ArtFeeds bowls at Page Gallery and auctioning them for AIO. It's an opportunity to connect with folks across all backgrounds to talk about art, food and energy insecurity, the weekend meal program for school kids, and all that AIO does in our community. "

“The Maine Department of Corrections operates within a framework of transforming lives, just like AIO. 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,” said Maine Department of Corrections Commissioner Randall Liberty. “We believe in being of service to the community and 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, Caroline Dishop, Ingrid Ellison, Hélène Farrar, Amy Files, 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, Melissa Lavi (Oceanside High School student), and a resident of the Maine State Correctional Facility.

AIO will share the artists’ creative process and artist statements on @aiofoodpantry (Instagram) and @AIOFoodpantry70 (Facebook).

Links to all artist works, bidding instructions, and additional information about AIO Food & Energy Assistance can be found at www.AIO4me.org.

AIO Food & Energy Assistance is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing vital assistance to individuals and families in need. Through their four 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. www.aiofoodpantry.org