St. Cloud Artist’s ‘Paint it Forward’ Project Wraps up with Final Showcase

ST. CLOUD - Twenty-five people from central Minnesota now have a brand new piece of art in their home, thanks to a recent project by a local artist. Dan Mondloch of St. Cloud has now completed his "Paint It Forward" project which was to create 50 paintings in 30 days, and give half of them away on the spot to someone connected to that location.

Mondloch says he learned a lot during the project.

It feels really good to give things away.  There's a high that you receive from giving things.

There were just two catches to get a painting: recipients had to agree to have their picture with the painting posted on social media, and they had to come to the final reception with their picture. Mondloch says he only got denied once.

It's not that they didn't want the painting, or at least that's what I tell myself.  They didn't necessarily want the exposure or publicity that came with it.

He says he didn't really know what he was going to paint each day until he just came across it. And, he says he's most impressed with how the community has embraced the "Paint It Forward" project.

The project was made possible because of a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board Artists Initiative.

You are invited to see all 50 works of art for yourself this Saturday at the reception and exhibition. It is free to attend and runs from noon until 5:00 p.m. at the Paramount Center for the Arts in downtown St. Cloud. You can also buy one of those 25 paintings that he didn't already give away.