In memory of Shalon: Local paint party raises funds for art scholarships, classes
By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan
Last week, a group of about 25 local women and girls got together for a paint party. They visited with each other, snacked on cheese and crackers and fruit, and painted their choice of two Highland calf pictures. But, they weren’t there just for the fun, food and creativity — they were also raising funds for a new local scholarship in memory of the late Shalon Taylor Wilson.
Chasity Blevins works on her painting of a Highland calf, which was about halfway finished at the time this photo was taken, during the “Paint Like Shalon” fundraising event last week. Click here to see more photos from the event. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Wilson was the director of the Breckenridge Fine Arts Center when she died on Feb. 18, 2024, and the scholarship funds will be used to help students pursue their interests in art.
Organized by friends and acquaintances of Wilson, including Miranda McIntire, Shannon Roberts, Chelsea McClymond and Becky Hicks, the “Paint Like Shalon” event on April 9 raised about $1,000 for the Shalon Taylor Wilson Memorial Fund. Due to space limitations, the paint party was limited to about 20 participants and was filled up almost as soon as it was announced by the organizers.
Just a few days after Wilson’s death, McIntire set up the fund at Clear Fork Bank in Breckenridge to help pay for art scholarships, awards and classes.
“She was really interested in helping kiddos that wouldn’t have the opportunity otherwise, and so that’s the future of our plans,” McIntire said. “I’m going to work with her mom and others and see what else they would like to do. But the goal right now is to get money in there so that we have available funds.”
The paint party fundraiser was a collaboration between the organizers. McIntire paid for renting The White Orchid Florals & Event Rentals in downtown Breckenridge, as well as for some of the supplies; Roberts donated the snacks, including meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits, dips, etc.; McClymond supplied the canvases for the participants to paint on; and Hicks provided the artistic instruction throughout the event. Additionally, McIntire is donating the proceeds from the sale of t-shirts, notecards and other items featuring Wilson’s artwork; McIntire had licensed the artwork before Wilson’s death.
Proceeds from the sales of t-shirts featuring the artwork of Shalon Taylor Wilson, licensed by McIntire Saddlery, will benefit the memorial fund for art scholarships. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
In choosing the pictures for the paint party, Hicks picked two different versions of a Highland calf. Wilson often painted pictures of animals and frequently used bright colors in her work. Those attending the party could choose whichever image they wanted to paint.
Hicks had completed versions of the two paintings on display, and, as the class proceeded, she painted new pictures of each one, walking the participants through each step. In the end, each artist went home with their completed painting.
Wilson’s friends hope to offer a scholarship for a Breckenridge High School student to study art, as well as to pay for kids to attend art workshops and possibly even hold an art show in Wilson’s memory.
They hope to host additional fundraising paint parties in the future. Additionally, anyone can make a donation to the Shalon Taylor Wilson Memorial Fund at Clear Fork Bank in Breckenridge.
Click here to see the Breckenridge Texan’s Photo Gallery from the paint party.
Artist Becky Hicks paints as she instructs the participants in the “Paint Like Shalon” fundraising event last week. Those attending could choose to paint one of the two Highland calves originally painted by Hicks. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Cutline, top photo: Miranda McIntire, standing center, helps participants at the “Paint Like Shalon” fundraising paint party on April 9. Proceeds from the event will go into the Shalon Taylor Wilson Memorial Fund at Clear Fork Bank in Breckenridge and will be used for art scholarships, classes and more. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
