The Salvation Army / Doing The Most Good Gala / Atlanta
SALVATION ARMY
LIVE PAINTING
Atlanta live artist Corey Barksdale was commissioned to paint live at The Salvation Army's Doing The Most Good Gala, creating an original piece onstage to help spark giving for Metro Atlanta families.
The commission
Painting "Heart to God, Hand to Man" live onstage
The Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta's Special Events team brought Corey Barksdale in as the live painter for its annual Doing The Most Good Gala, held at The Foundry at Puritan Mill in Atlanta. Rather than render the building itself, the organization asked Corey to capture something less literal — the spirit behind the work — and pointed him toward the motto that guides it: "Heart to God, Hand to Man."
Corey built the piece around that idea: a pair of hands cradling a glowing heart above a line of figures serving and being served, a visual stand-in for the shelter, meals, and everyday care Salvation Army staff and volunteers provide across Metro Atlanta — turning an abstract mission statement into an image a room full of donors could see and feel in real time.
Painted live at the gala
From blank canvas to finished piece
Corey worked the canvas throughout the evening — social hour into the program — building the piece in front of guests as the room filled in around him.
Heart to God, Hand to Man
Live at the Gala
Detail in Progress
Timed to the ask.
The piece was paced to be finished as the evening reached its Fund-A-Need appeal, then presented onstage and raffled off to a donor at the event's top giving level — turning the finished painting into part of the pitch for giving, and giving the room a visual, emotional peak right as the ask landed.
Nearly $300,000 raised.
The 2025 Doing The Most Good Gala raised close to $300,000 to support The Salvation Army's programs across Metro Atlanta — shelter, meals, and services for families and individuals in need. Live painting built around a mission-driven theme gives nonprofit galas a moment guests remember, and a natural bridge into the giving ask.
Live painting for causes and brands.
This is one of several nonprofit and corporate live painting bookings in Corey's practice — see more on the Live Event Painting page, or browse the full Work gallery.
Inside the gala
Doing The Most Good, every year
The Doing The Most Good Gala is The Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta's annual fundraiser, bringing together the city's business and community leaders for an evening of dinner, a silent auction, and a program highlighting the organization's work. Each year's gala returns to The Foundry at Puritan Mill, continuing to rally Atlanta's business and community leaders behind expanded shelter, meals, and family services across Metro Atlanta — with a live-painted centerpiece now a recurring part of how the evening brings that mission to life.
On the HOPE Stage
Program & Remarks
Guests & Community
The Fund-A-Need
Helpful project answers
Frequently asked questions
What did Corey Barksdale paint for The Salvation Army?
An original piece built around The Salvation Army's motto "Heart to God, Hand to Man," painted live at the Doing The Most Good Gala in Atlanta.
Where and when did the live painting take place?
At The Foundry at Puritan Mill in Atlanta, during The Salvation Army's annual Doing The Most Good Gala in November 2025.
What happened to the finished painting?
It was presented on stage and raffled off during the event's Fund-A-Need appeal to help drive additional donations.
Is Corey Barksdale available for nonprofit galas and fundraisers?
Yes. He works with nonprofits, corporate hosts, and event planners on live painting built around a theme, mission, or brand.
Work with Corey Barksdale
Planning a gala or fundraiser?
Bring live painting to your next nonprofit gala, corporate event, or fundraiser in Atlanta and beyond.