PaintJam Lifts Spirits and Raises $82,000 for The BEE Community

Dan Dunn and his son Harvey brought the art of live speed painting to Bryan, Texas, in support of The BEE Community. The nonprofit, also known as Brazos Employment Enterprises, provides meaningful job opportunities to adults with disabilities — a mission close to the hearts of many families in the region.

A Return to Bryan, Texas

PaintJam’s relationship with Leslie and Milton Howard, the leaders of The BEE Community, goes back more than a decade. Dan first met them in 2014 while performing for a fundraiser benefiting The Brookwood Community, an organization with a similar mission in Brookshire, TX. When the Howards moved to Bryan and helped establish The BEE Community, they reached out again. In 2023, both Dan and Harvey performed at the inaugural Butterfly Bash fundraiser. The event was so successful that they were invited back for this year’s second edition.

The Paintings

This year’s performance began with Dan painting a wine glass, followed by a soaring eagle – a PaintJam classic. He then handed the spotlight to Harvey, who delivered two crowd favorites: an Aggie Golfer inspired by Ben Hogan, complete with maroon polo and ball cap, and Texas A&M’s beloved mascot, Reveille, posed proudly in front of Kyle Field with nods to Aggie baseball, softball, and the iconic maroon bluebonnets.

Raising the Paddle

The live paintings ignited spirited bidding. The portrait of Reveille drew the highest bids, inspiring two additional commissioned versions to satisfy demand. In total, the four live works generated $62,000. PaintJam then opened the floor to smaller commissions at $2,500 each, adding another $20,000 to the evening’s total. By the end of the night, the Butterfly Bash had raised an incredible $82,000.

More Than Just Fundraising

The evening itself was a celebration. Guests enjoyed an Italian buffet dinner and live violin music, while citizens of The BEE Community proudly displayed their own artwork in a silent auction. For Dan and Harvey, the highlight wasn’t just the applause or the standing ovation when Harvey revealed Kyle Field in his final painting – it was knowing the night’s proceeds will directly help adults with disabilities build brighter, more independent futures.

A Heartfelt Thank You

PaintJam is proud to have played a role in advancing The BEE Community’s mission. Dan and Harvey extend their gratitude to Leslie and Milton Howard, Nick Gonzalez, and every guest who lifted their paddle to support this cause.

For PaintJam, these moments are more than performances — they’re proof of how art can inspire generosity, connect communities, and change lives.