PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — State Farm Agent John J. Harvell recognized an opportunity to help local area youth in June 2016, when he started sponsoring monthly Pizza ‘n Paint for Teens and Tweens events at the Wintergreen Arts Center in Presque Isle.
This January, State Farm Companies Foundation matched Harvell’s donation with a grant of $1,500 to support local youth art at Wintergreen.
Pizza ‘n Paint for Teens and Tweens was created by Amy Joy Berube, WAC’s party and event planner, last May. But at $25 per student she was not able to serve the number of area youth she hoped. One day when Harvell stopped by to pick up his son from Wintergreen’s After School Arts Program, he noticed a Pizza ‘n Paint monthly flyer and immediately commented that the price was too high. He decided to sponsor the event and later encouraged State Farm Companies Foundation to join him.
With Harvell’s lead sponsorship, and a sponsorship from Katahdin Trust Company, Wintergreen was able to cut the cost to area youth; and, on June 24, 2016, the event sold out. With Berube’s encouragement, others came forward to support the evening of creative activity; drinks were provided by Pepsi, pizza by Circle K, and the young artists enjoyed a special cookie intermission provided by Kelly Mathes of Confectionately Yours. Pizza ‘n Paint would stay at Wintergreen.
Wintergreen thanked Harvell for his sponsorship, leadership and generosity, and he said, “Thank you for all the work you put into making the Star City just a little bit brighter. Without the Wintergreen Arts Center, I’m confident many in Presque Isle, and the greater area, would be without any art in their lives. Keep up the good work.”
The Presque Isle Police Department has joined in to co-sponsor several Pizza ‘n Paint events; a focus on the benefits of youth art in Aroostook County strikes a natural chord with many area businesses and organizations.
Youth art also strikes a familiar chord with the Harvell family. John’s wife, Heather Harvell, is a longtime supporter of the WAC. From art advocate, to instructor, to executive director and co-chair of the board, she has served the center since its origination in 2006. She is happy now to get back to her roots as an artist and art instructor.
Children at the center call her “The Art Lady.” She often teaches classes, including the Feb. 18 Pizza ‘n Paint, when she taught a room full of brothers and sisters, parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren how to paint in pairs.
“Heather chose a comical moose caricature and had the whole room relaxed and painting,” said Berube. “She has a true gift for encouraging creativity and sharing her love of art. And we are so appreciative of John’s lead sponsorship and what it means to making these events affordable for the youth in our area. He started something that continues to grow and bring in other sponsors. It is wonderful.”
