Newtown Middle School art teachers Leigh Anne Coles and Kristen Ladue hosted a Paint Night in the evening of Wednesday, November 16, to raise funds for the school's art department and gather donations for the school's Student Council food drive for the Women Involved in Newtown (WIN) annual Thanksgiving Baskets collection.

Students, parents, and faculty members were invited to bring snacks and drinks for the event, which featured a guided demonstration on how to paint an image of a snowy landscape with a red covered bridge. Roughly 60 people were registered to attend as the night began.

As people arrived they dropped off donations for the art department and/or food items for the food drive.

Ms Coles said the idea for the Paint Night came together when she and Ms Ladue were thinking of a way to raise funds for the school's art department. They focused on holding something centered around the theme of art. Sponsors PhysicianOne Urgent Care, The Dana-Holcombe House, and The Pottery Factory in Brookfield supported the night, to provide supplies and more. Information about the sponsors was available at each seat as the participants arrived. Paint, water, brushes, and a plastic apron were also at each seat.

"Are you ready to paint?" Ms Coles asked as the Paint Night began.

Ms Coles explained she would guide the participants in painting the landscape image. Paint colors provided for the project included white, ultramarine blue, bright red, raw sienna, black, and chrome oxide green.

"We are really, really excited you came," said Ms Coles, just before showing attendees how to begin their own paintings by using blue and white for the sky.