Art 4 Shelter

The 14th Annual Art 4 Shelter was a record-breaking fundraiser!

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us for this year’s art sale and auction, including our sponsors, supporters, vendors, and the amazing, talented artists whose generosity makes Art 4 Shelter possible.

The 14th Annual Art 4 Shelter is on May 3, 2024, at Glass House. Browse hundreds of original works by emerging and established artists at this massive art sale and auction.

Artist Sandy Tuzinksi first began contributing to Art 4 Shelter in 2015. She heard about the event from co-founder Megan Rye during a Minnesota Watercolor Society meeting. After learning how donating artwork would help benefit Simpson Housing Services, Sandy and her sister, Pat Swanson, quickly felt invested in the cause and were excited to contribute.

Sandy and her sister encourage other artists to get involved with Simpson Housing Services’ mission of providing shelter. “Art 4 Shelter gives artists an opportunity to learn how to help others in a very unique way.

When Thomas Roark he heard about Art 4 Shelter from another artist at a life drawing co-op, he resonated with the fundraiser’s direct impact on people experiencing and transitioning out of homelessness. Contributing to A4S is a way for Thomas to work toward housing justice for the homeless.

Shona Dockter has been involved with Art 4 Shelter since 2019, when she heard about the fundraiser from a friend. She works as a decorative finish artist for interiors and furniture. She’s been making art her entire life but recently found a renewed passion for creating when she became an empty nester.

Shona appreciates that Art 4 Shelter gives her a unique way to connect with marginalized people and to contribute to Simpson Housing Services’ mission.

“Affordable housing, and housing in general, is one of the biggest crises our nation faces. It can often feel overwhelming to figure out how to tackle a problem that seems insurmountable. The great thing about Art 4 Shelter is it gives us all a way to start thinking about and actively working to solve this crisis.”

“Connecting to others can be difficult when we move in different circles, but art can be a common bond. It speaks to everyone in various ways and brings beauty to the world.” 

Learn more about how our annual spring fundraiser supports our extended-stay shelter and supportive housing programs in this video by Maribeth Romslo. Buy art. Give shelter.

“Creating artwork with secondhand materials led me away from traditional canvases and to discovering vinyl as a primary canvas. Who knows, perhaps by next year’s art show I’ll have run out of vinyl and will have a new favorite base to paint.”

To Gina, Art 4 Shelter is a tangible way to do something she loves for a great cause. She also believes that the direct connection to Simpson’s extended-stay shelter is very meaningful for the artist and for the buyers.  

“It’s really lovely—the one-to-one relationship that Art 4 Shelter keeps between the starting price of a painting ($35) being the exact same cost as providing a night of shelter for someone experiencing homelessness.”