ST. CLAIRSVILLE – A local artist raised nearly $2,000 for a youth center that supports LGBTQ youth.

Jackee Pugh, fine art and designer, participated in a Pride Month celebration fundraiser by selling a collection of original paintings she created titled “Painted with Love.” 100% of the proceeds from the sale of these paintings are being donated to Kaleidoscope Youth Center, a LGBTQ non-profit organization, based in Columbus.

Pugh is a graduate of St. Clairsville High School and Columbus College of Art & Design. She specializes in abstract art paintings created with alcohol ink. The fluid nature of the ink she works with creates a whimsical energy and movement, through the blending and layering of bold colors. The combination of simple, overlapping shapes come together to result in vibrant and playful creations. Many of her paintings draw inspiration from rainbows.

“When I began the planning of this fundraiser my goal was to raise $500 in painting sales to donate to Kaleidoscope,” Pugh said. “The overwhelming support I received from friends, community members and Instagram followers was more than I could have ever imagined.”

In less than a week, the entire collection, eight paintings, sold for a total donation of $1,800. A large portion of that came from one painting which sold for over $1,000.