TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Three Tallahassee artists gave kids staying at a hurricane shelter a chance to unwind.
On a normal day, there's not much for Hurricane Michael evacuees to do at the Blountstown High School shelter.
So imagine their surprise to see three artists set up paints, brushes, canvases, and then welcome the children to come over and get creative.
"It's not going to rebuild their houses, it's not going to get the electricity flowing or the water running, but if it can give people a source of strength to take a break from all of the stress, that's what I hope I accomplish for them" said artist Jim Russell.
Jim Russell, Walter Abbott, and Kollet Probst packed up their supplies Sunday and made the trip from Tallahassee to Blountstown to offer a mental break for the people living in the shelter.
Artist Kollet Probst said,"They're happy to see us come. It's a break for them. to know that there's something for the kids to do on this beautiful day. A lot has happened so everyone is finding some excitement in this."
The children immediately took to the canvasses to unleash their creativity.
"It helps to let you know that even in rough times, you can do anything you want to help" said artist Juelz Colon.
"It gives us something to do. It takes our mind off of the shelter and the hurricane and everything that happened" said Evacuee Qua'Nasia Ingram.
It could take weeks for some of these families to leave the shelter, but at least these kids had a chance to have fun despite everything around them.
The artists will auction off the work they painted in Blountstown. The money will be used to help that community rebuild.
