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Thérèse L. Provenzano is proud to announce that she has been selected to participate in Down East magazine's third annual Art of Giving. As part of the Art of Giving, Provenzano's painting, Buckwheat No. 8 Cutouts, Red and Purple is featured in the July issue of Down East magazine. Her painting will be raffled off with three other Maine works of art to raise funds for Maine Farmland Trust and three additional community organizations chosen by the other participating artists. Down East's Art of Giving Gala will be held Thursday, September 1 from 5:30-9 p.m. at The Landing at Pine Point located at 353 Pine Point Rd in Scarborough. Tickets to the event are available online at: artofgiving2016.brownpapertickets.com or at downeast.com/artofgiving

Provenzano's pastel painting, Buckwheat No. 8 Cutouts, Red and Purple, was selected by a committee including artist Eric Hopkins, art critic Edgar Allen Beem, Maine College of Art's Ian Anderson, and Down East editor in chief Kathleen Fleury. All Art of Giving artists apply by submitting not only a piece of art to be considered, but also a write-up indicating their connection to Maine and why the community organization they chose deserves to benefit from the raffle. Each paid admission ticket to the gala will be automatically entered to win one of the works of art; attendees may purchase additional raffle tickets at the event to contribute to the funding each charity will receive.

The 2016 participating artists are Thérèse L. Provenzano, Roland Salazar Rose, Matthew Russ, and R. Scott Baltz. You can see Thérèse L. Provenzano and Roland Salazar Rose profiles in the July 2016 issue of Down East, currently available on newsstands. Matthew Russ, and R. Scott Baltz will be profiled in the August issue of Down East.

Provenzano shares why she selected Maine Farmland Trust to benefit from the sale of her work, "The reason is two-fold. It is about supporting the farmer and the artist. The preservation of farmland is critical to secure farming in Maine. Maine Farmland Trust protects and preserves Maine farmland, supports farmers, and advances the future of farming. I wanted to become involved in some small or big way in making a connection between art and agriculture."

Tickets to the Art of Giving are $75-100 per person and include the evening event featuring Maine food, beverages and music, as well as an opportunity for the ticket holder to leave with one of four works of art.

“All of the selected artists have deep connections to Maine, something that's reflected in the pieces they've donated and that resonates with our readers,” noted Kathleen Fleury, editor in chief of Down East. “We really feel that the Art of Giving program is much like the idea of the tide that rises all boats. We hope that we can spotlight some unique Maine artists, who in turn shine the spotlight on some great organizations helping the community here, all while coming together for a fun event where some community members who love the state win fabulous Maine art.”

Born in Long Island, New York, Provenzano earned a BFA from University of the Arts, an MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and a CFA from the National Academy of Design School of the Fine Arts. She teaches the visual arts and history of art at the University of Maine at Fort Kent. Provenzano moved from Manhattan to her great-grandfather's homestead in 2002. Her grandparents are Theresa and Willie Labbe from Wallagrass.

Recently, Provenzano has been awarded an artist residency at the Joseph Fiore Art Center at Rolling Acres Farm in Jefferson, Maine. Submissions were juried by Cythnia Hyde of the Caldbeck Gallery and artist Lois Dodd. Provenzano exhibited her work at the Harlow Gallery in Hallowell, Maine in the Art 2016, 21st Annual Juried Show. Submissions were juried and curated by Bruce Brown. Her painting, Thaw No. 1, The Raven, was exhibited in Keen Observation at the Waterfall Arts Center in Belfast, Maine. The Maine Community Foundation featured her painting, Buckwheat No. 5, Mellowed Green, After for their holiday card.

For more information about this year's Art of Giving event, visit downeast.com/artofgiving