Giving Back
Painting With Purpose
Art changes how we see the world and amplifies what we notice.
Noticing that my community needed help, I started to see myself as a changemaker;
someone who could make a difference through my art.
I feel very fortunate to be fulfilling my lifelong dream of becoming a professional artist.
I get to make art every day in a studio I love, for wonderful people who share my love of colour and seek out the joy in my paintings. As a child who painted my way through struggle and survival, I know firsthand that art can change the direction of an entire life.
Because my goal is to use art for good, I support organizations that wholeheartedly believe in creating positive changes and have meaningful and sustainable impact on the individuals that they support.
Here are a few ways I paint philanthropy into every piece I sell…
Prints With Purpose
That’s why I’ve created Prints With Purpose a line of exclusive prints where a portion of proceeds are donated to charity.
Right now, with every Melissa McKinnon Fine Art Print you purchase, a child in foster care receives a gift of age appropriate art supplies like, colouring books, crayons, finger paints, coloured pencils, and sketchbooks.
I invite you to learn more about this incredible initiative that has touched my life personally and captured my heart.
Together, we can make a difference.
Mentorship & Education
It’s so important to me that I lead by example for the next generation of artists. That’s why I mentor students between Kindergarten and University age throughout Canada, the U.S., England and Australia, speaking to my expressive style and techniques, love and use of color, and methods for gathering inspiration through the senses, nature, travel and memories. I’m also passionate to speak to the practical side of business, and how to balance being an artist with being an entrepreneur.
I also volunteer with the Calgary Arts Academy, a local charter school that focuses on teaching the Alberta curriculum through arts immersion and an appreciation for contemporary arts and culture.
Mentorship & Education
It’s so important to me that I lead by example for the next generation of artists. That’s why I mentor students between Kindergarten and University age throughout Canada, the U.S., England and Australia, speaking to my expressive style and techniques, love and use of color, and methods for gathering inspiration through the senses, nature, travel and memories. I’m also passionate to speak to the practical side of business, and how to balance being an artist with being an entrepreneur.
I also volunteer with the Calgary Arts Academy, a local charter school that focuses on teaching the Alberta curriculum through arts immersion and an appreciation for contemporary arts and culture.
Local Philanthropy
Each year, I donate my artwork to charities I believe in to help build awareness and raise funds for their causes.
Some of my most recent contributions are:
- Calgary Stampede Art Auction
- Timeraiser Canada 150
- Canadian Digestive Diseases National Medical Symposium,
- I Will Survive Foundation
- artRISE Art Gallery of Calgary
- Higher Ground Charity Auction For Flood Relief
- Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
- Alberta Alzheimer’s Association
- Art Gallery of Calgary
- Arts Commons
- City of Calgary Public Art Program
- Morin Music Studio
- TimeRaiser Canada
- YWCA
Are you ready to purchase art with purpose and do some good?
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