The Masks, Monarchs and Mugs fundraising event is set to take place on October 25 at War Water Brewery in St. Clair, with a portion of ticket sales benefiting the Friends of the St. Clair River. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn to create a painting inspired by the event’s theme.
Scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at War Water Brewery, located at 201 S. Riverside Ave., Suite C1, the fundraiser promises a night filled with art, community, and craft beer, celebrating the nature and traditions of Mexico. This event is a collaboration between War Water Brewery, The Painted Toad Art Studio from Marine City, and the Friends of the St. Clair River, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring and protecting the St. Clair River watershed through community education, environmental monitoring, stewardship, and advocacy.
Lynnea McFadden, Director of Programs and Services for Friends of the St. Clair River, noted that Masks, Monarchs and Mugs marks the third painting event organized in partnership with The Painted Toad and War Water Brewery.
“Our inaugural event with War Water Brewery and The Painted Toad Art Studio was in February 2024 during our Birds and Brews event, where we featured a painting of a short-eared owl,” McFadden explained via email. “The success of that event led us to host another in May 2024, titled Paddling with Pints, which showcased a sunset-lit kayak and a Blanding’s turtle.”
Each painting event emphasizes local species and their unique habitats. The Friends organization is actively involved in monarch conservation, working alongside local homeowners, community groups, and municipalities to promote the planting of native flora that supports pollinators. Additionally, they engage volunteers to monitor milkweed for monarchs and organize tagging for adult monarchs as they prepare for their migration to Mexico in August.
“Art serves as a powerful tool for public engagement in environmental education,” McFadden stated. “By collaborating with The Painted Toad, we aim to inspire our community to advocate for environmental health and the local ‘legends’ that inhabit this area. Partnering with War Water Brewery adds a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere to the experience.”
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