Art of Giving Exhibition Sells 102 Works, Gives $4,260 to Two Churches

More than 30 artists joined church members and community volunteers for a day of art, generosity and local connection.

EDMONDS, WA, UNITED STATES, September 16, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The International Charity Artists Association (ICAA), in partnership with St. Alban’s Episcopal Church and Grace Church, held the Art of Giving charity exhibition Sept. 12 at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Edmonds. Artists from the Seattle area and other regions joined church members and community volunteers to use art in support of local institutions.

Approximately 140 people attended, and 102 works were sold, including 58 paintings and works of calligraphy. Reported sales totaled $8,757, excluding payments collected directly by some artists. The event also received $260 in additional donations and recorded $846 in tax obligations. Organizers reported final allocations of $2,200 to St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, $2,060 to Grace Church and $3,955 in compensation to participating artists. Together, the two churches received $4,260.

The exhibition grew from a conversation between ICAA founders Eva Deng and Tianyu Zhang after they learned that Grace Church was facing fundraising challenges. One artist immediately offered to donate a piece, and others soon joined by contributing artwork at reduced prices. Members of both churches, ICAA interns and community volunteers handled transportation, installation and event-day operations.

More than 30 artists contributed paintings, calligraphy, origami and other works. Participants included Zuolie Deng, a longtime member of the local Chinese arts community and honorary chair of the ICAA Art Review Committee; Chinese artist Changming Cai; and Seattle-area artist Stu Hitchner. Wenshi Chen, vice president of the Oregon Chinese Artist Association, led a delegation to the exhibition. Artists shipped or personally delivered work from China, Canada, New York and Portland, as well as from the Seattle area.

Young artists also took part. Work by ICAA youth art member Jessie Baum drew strong interest from visitors. A piece by University of Washington student artist Xiangyi Deng became the first artwork sold at the event.

The opening program featured remarks from ICAA representative Eva Deng; Edmonds City Councilmember Will Chen; Shiao-Yen Wu, honorary chair of the ICAA International Art Exchange Committee; artist Zuolie Deng; the Rev. Joshua Ng of Grace Church; and the Rev. Greg Peters of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. The program also included live artistic performances.

The event was made possible by artists who contributed work, churches that provided space and support, and volunteers who gave their time to transportation, installation and operations. ICAA welcomes artists who want to support charitable work through their creative practice and invites churches and nonprofit organizations in the greater Seattle area to explore future partnerships.

About the International Charity Artists Association

The International Charity Artists Association brings artists and community organizations together to support charitable causes through exhibitions, cultural exchange and public engagement. To learn more, visit https://www.artgiving.org.

Media Contact

Eva Deng
International Charity Artists Association
evadjie@artgiving.org
https://www.artgiving.org

Eva Deng
International Charity Artists Association
evadjie@artgiving.org
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