KENNEBUNKPORT — A novel challenge originating in a Kennebunkport eatery is hoping to pepper York County diners with artwork and in the process give a boost to local charities.

Jackson Yordon, who operates the Salt and Honey Restaurant teamed up with event planner and artist Danie Connolly to come up with a unique way to combine art and appetite with a smidgen of humor.

This spring they distributed 12-inch peppermills to Southern Maine’s most talented artists and asked them to let loose their creativity and express their humorous side by decorating the peppermills in what they call the “Great Peppermill Art Challenge.”

Peppermills have now been painted and participants have a chance to pay $1 per vote for their favorite peppermill, with all funds raised donated to the Good Shepherd Food Bank charity.

Participating artists include Connolly, Geraldine Aikman, Paul Bonneau, Dawn Burns, LaFontaine, Brad Maushart, Holly Chamberlain Ross, Kelly Jo Shows, Annie Watts, Russel Whitten.

“The energy of the patrons is positive with a high enthusiasm about the food and art combination,” Connolly said.

Yordon agreed and believes the challenge is a worthwhile endeavor..

“Salt and Honey’s diners happily converse with each other as they appreciate the efforts of the artists’ work,” he said.”

Voting for peppermill art favorites extends into Labor Day at and Connolly said that will be followed with an auction for the actual peppermill.

“The remainder of money will be going to the charity as well,” she said.

According to Connolly, finding a new and fun way to donate to a charity is always a challenge and especially in the Kennebunks, an area renowned for its creative artists.

“There are only so many donations you can tap an artist for before they begin to feel like they’re an automatic giving machine and undervalued for their art,” she said. “However, there’s always an exception if it’s a fun project.”

She said she knows this because she has created many charitable projects and challenges that give artists not only a new forum introducing them to a broader customer base, but an opportunity to shine on a different type of canvas.

Connolly said she’s asked artists to paint on bags, pillowcases, shoes, vases, lamp bases, silk kerchiefs, pocketbooks, bottoms of frying pans and beer taps, but this peppermill project really stands out.

“It’s a rewarding project that’s contagious fun for all the right reasons,” she said.

Voting for the peppermills is conducted at the Salt and Honey Restaurant, 24 Ocean Ave. in Kennebunkport.

— Executive Editor Ed Pierce can be reached at 282-1535 ext. 326 or by email at editor@journaltribune.com