Small Art, Big Impact: The Power of Community

There is something truly magical about seeing a community rally together, and this past week, I had the privilege of witnessing that firsthand at the Central MN Shynes concert and benefit.

My husband and I decided to splurge on tickets to attend the sold-out show, and I was honored to contribute a 5-inch ceramic mushroom to the art auction. It felt like a small gesture at the time—just one piece of clay among many—but the collective result of everyone’s generosity was nothing short of staggering.

I recently received an email from one of the organizers, and the numbers she shared absolutely blew me away:

"All 84 pieces of local art donated sold, every single one!!! Just the art pieces alone raised $8,555 and the entire auction (with local business donations) raised $19,885... The benefit concert also sold out every single seat, and I believe the entire event raised 4 times as much as modestly hoped for."

She described the end of the night feeling like Santa handing out gifts, with the donated art serving as the "cherry on top" of a day filled with joy and hope.

A Tiny Win for a Great Cause

I was especially thrilled to find out how my little mushroom fared! It started with a $30.00 bid and ended up going for $65.00. Knowing that a single piece from my studio could double its value to help support such an important cause is an incredible feeling.

Events like this remind me why I love what I do. Being a full-time artist can sometimes feel like a solitary journey in the studio, but moments like these reconnect me to the bigger picture. It’s a reminder that we can all do good for our community—one piece, one bid, and one "micro-joy" at a time.

Thank you to everyone who organized, donated, and attended. I am so grateful to be a part of something so much bigger than myself.