SPANISH FORT, Ala.—Seasoned artists might ooze creativity and technique, but Patricia Johnson is in it for the fun.

“It’s a great time. I thoroughly enjoyed it,” said Johnson, Spanish Fort High School’s librarian and organizer of Thursday evening’s fundraiser at Paint Slingers in the Eastern Shore Plaza.

The cost is $40 per person, and proceeds from the 6 p.m. event will benefit the Teachers’ Sunshine Fund, a non-school-sanctioned organization that provides uplifting tokens of encouragement and support to faculty and staff throughout the year.

Johnson said it can be something as simple as sending a “Get Well” card to the hospital or putting out snacks once a month, but the funds are used to remind members of the SFHS family that they are cared for and appreciated.

“These are things that can’t come out of school funds, but we all know how important they are,” Johnson said.

The two-hour painting party will provide step-by-step instruction, and patrons can customize their masterpieces to match most any décor.

“My girls and I did it for Mother’s Day, and it was just such great fun. I produced this beautiful painting that really did look like a professional had done it. It was shocking,” Johnson said.

Although the event is open to anyone eager to support the cause, SFHS students will notice a familiar face as SFHS art teacher Kelly Denton leads the how-to class.

Denton, who has been teaching art for more than 25 years including the past 10 years with Baldwin County Schools, operates the do-it-yourself painting studio and community art center alongside Daphne artist Stephanie Carlson Sandefur.

Denton, who classifies her personal style as “Coastal Impressionism,” also works from her home studio and has had works exhibited in Fairhope, Montgomery and Birmingham as well as Savannah, Atlanta, and Moultrie, Ga., and Tallahassee, Fla.