Armed with easels, canvases, paint brushes, and all sorts of colors, the Gleason Family YMCA held its painting fundraiser in the building's lobby on Sunday.

The Y welcomed artists of all ages for the fundraiser, which benefitted the YMCA's annual campaign for financial aid. The Y's financial aid program helps families defray program costs and summer camp expenses.

Middleborough artist Robyn Iarrobino, owner of Blue Anchor Studio, instructed a class of four, as they painted a Halloween-themed rendering of a spider lurking in a barren tree, with an orange sky as a backdrop.

“I've always wanted to do something like this,” said Wareham resident and YMCA member Jeanne McCarthy. “I hesitated to sign up because I thought, 'I can't draw. I can't paint.' This showed me that I can.”

Cathy Longfield, Membership Engagement Coordinator of the Gleason YMCA, was hoping there would be a bigger turnout because of a New England Patriots bye week. However, she has confidence that the upcoming two fundraisers in October will be a bigger success for the Gleason YMCA.

The next fundraisers, also benefitting the YMCA's annual campaign for financial aid, will be Toast of the Coast, held on Friday, Oct. 16 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. at the Marion Music Hall in Marion; and on Friday, Oct. 30, the Gleason Family YMCA will be transfigured into a haunted house, for the Y's Haunted Spooktacular event.

For more information about the Gleason Family YMCA and upcoming events, visit ymcasouthcoast.org.