Painting with
a Purpose
Finding a creative spark
in troubling times
BY LAURA ROSS | PHOTOS BY JASON APPLEGATE
Art is a window to the soul and in times of a
pandemic, many souls need soothing. That’s why a
New Albany art teacher tapped her palette during
the quarantine and opened a creative world for
thousands with Painting with a Purpose.
Mary Arnold typically spends her days as an
elementary school art teacher in the New Albany/
Floyd County school system. She teaches art at
nine schools within the system, and when the
COVID-19 quarantine hit in March, the last thing
she wanted to do was sit idle at home.
To keep busy, she inquired if a few friends
might want to do a free weekly painting class
online. She called her Facebook group Painting
with a Purpose and was floored when the effort
went viral. The group now has more than 18,000
followers – and rising – in 18 countries on Facebook
and You Tube.
Arnold loves the creativity she sees on her
Facebook group and is heartened that entire
families are putting quality time in for art
throughout the pandemic. “We’ve had families
across the state and country get together to watch
the same videos on Zoom or Face Time and paint
together,” said Arnold. “It’s so important right
now that families, kids, and even adults, have a
creative outlet.”
Arnold and two friends, Abby DeVary and
Christin Brown, create video painting tutorials
each week on Facebook and You Tube. They also
host live online painting events where viewers
can interact with the instructors and share their
talents. The projects range from simple childfocused
art to more advanced acrylic painting
classes. All classes are free for online followers.
“She’s making such an impact. It’s so cool,” said
Micah Arnold, Mary’s husband. “She’s always on
the run and this has given her an outlet for her
energy during quarantine. It’s amazing to me
how it’s grown.”
As her project grew, the New Albany Housing
Authority (NAHA) took notice. Mary Arnold joined
forces with NAHA to create summer art kits for
children. The kits provide packets full of paint,
brushes, canvas, and chalk so children can use
the supplies at home as they watch Painting with
a Purpose’s online classes.
“For me, it’s really important that we work
78 EXTOL : SUMMER 2020