Aspiring artist and photographer Clayton Brannon hosted a charity art show Friday, Dec. 19 at the home of Tom and LeAnn Harter.

The show featured 20 pieces of Brannon’s photography and paintings.

All but one piece was sold, raising a total of $1,200.

The money was divided between three families, two of which LeAnn Harter knew personally, and one of which Brannon knew personally.

“I am so proud of him for doing something like this,” said Harter.  “Most kids his age would keep the money as opposed to giving it away.”

Each family received a Visa gift card to use at their leisure, as well as gift cards to Kroger and Target.

“The show turned out much better than I had expected,” said Brannon. “This is definitely something that I want to do again. It felt good to give to people who really needed it, especially during Christmas time.”

Rhett Donaldson, an art collector and enthusiast, was the first to purchase pieces of Brannon’s work at the show.

“As a collector for 30 years, I’ve always tried to support local artists, no matter where I’ve lived at the time,” said Donaldson, who currently lives in the Chestatee Golf Community. “It is very refreshing to find a young, talented artist like Clayton here in Dawson County.”

Brannon plans to host another show soon, as well as making the charity art show a Christmas tradition.

E-mail Elizabeth Hamilton at elizabeth@dawsonnews.com.