Artist Stories

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.” 

“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.” 

Jim’s watercolor and ink world is full of carefully sculpted bridges and museums, winding country roads, bobbing sailboats, and big, red trolleys gliding down steep city streets. Art 4 Shelter is just one of the causes that has benefited from the donation of his work, and the truly unique perspective he brings to his art. Read the full story.

“I have been so blessed with opportunities to collaborate in the creation of these treasures,” photographer Todd Wildenauer says. However he can give those blessings back to the community, he will. Read more about his art and his relationship to Art 4 Shelter.

“I usually start painting and let each piece evolve,” artist Susan Davies says. “I listen to the work and interact with it until I feel like it’s done, and then, usually, I find out what it’s about.” Learn more about Susan’s work and her contributions to Art 4 Shelter here.