Portland High School art teacher José Gouveia recently led his students in a unique project that combined creating art with being a connected member of the community — holding an online auction of the students’ artwork to help Maine Needs. That Portland-based nonprofit works in support of asylum seekers, students, the unhoused population, survivors of domestic violence, and those facing financial adversity to make sure that no one goes without the basics.

Gouveia said the aim of the project was to leverage artmaking with teaching students care, empathy and civic duty — and to empower young artists to see themselves as changemakers.

First, 14 students created 17 pieces of artwork around central themes that they voted on — trust, ripple effect, and community. Then, on Dec. 5-7, Gouveia’s class held an online holiday art auction to sell the art, with all proceeds going to Maine Needs to help families needing assistance. They exceeded their fundraising goal of $500, raising a total of $806.

“This work lays a foundation for future partnership programming between schools and nonprofit work, and encourages students to build their own lasting and fruitful connections in our community,” Gouveia said.

Maine Needs posted on Facebook that the organization was “thrilled” with the special project and urged people to make a bid on the "one-of-a-kind pieces straight from the heart" that students had created, as a way to be “part of a community that will always care for one another.”

Below are samples of some of the artwork in the auction: