Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-03-12
Photo: Courtesy of Punk Rock & Paintbrushes
Since 2007, Punk Rock & Paintbrushes has been on a mission to highlight the intersection of music and art. With a presence at galleries, concerts and music festivals around the world, each exhibit features original artworks from some of the biggest musicians in punk, rock and metal that showcases their creativity in a whole new light. Many also feature auctions with signed items to benefit a number of charitable causes.
In 2026, Punk Rock & Paintbrushes will offer another busy year of events, beginning with a presence at Dropkick Murphys’ hometown Boston shows, taking place March 13, 14 and 15 at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway and March 17 at the Citizens House of Blues Boston. This art and photography exhibition will also feature an auction of designed and signed Fender guitars and drumheads, all benefitting the bands’ charitable arm The Claddagh Fund, which provides critical funding for nonprofits that impact children, veterans and addiction and recovery programs.
Says frontman Ken Casey, “Punk Rock & Paintbrushes, Dropkick Murphys and The Claddagh Fund are a match made in heaven. It’s all about the community spirit that embodies punk rock. Helping others, staying true and being real…That’s what punk rock means to me.”
On March 21, from 6–10 p.m., Punk Rock & Paintbrushes will host a gallery show at Serj Tankian’s very own Eye for Sound Gallery, located at 1638 Colorado Blvd. in Los Angeles, featuring his artworks along with Hunter Burgan (AFI), Chloe Trujillo and art from the next generation, including works by the children of Josh Freese, Tre Cool, Chloe and Robert Trujillo, and Andrew Campanelli. The event will bring together artists and collectors for an evening celebrating the intersection of music, visual art and community.
“I’m excited to be hosting another group exhibition at Eye For Sound Gallery with Punk Rock & Paintbrushes,” says Tankian. “Having so many dynamic artists showcasing their talent while also bringing awareness to social injustices happening in our community is important to me. Especially with everything going on all around us.”
April and May events will feature onsite galleries at a number of festivals including BeachLife, May 1 to 3 in Redondo Beach, California; Welcome To Rockville, May 7 to 10 in Daytona Beach, Florida; and Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival, May 14 to 17 in Columbus, Ohio. While BeachLife’s Speakeasy Stage will feature the works of Jim Lindberg (Pennywise), Jonah Nimoy (The Offspring), Jackie Wasserman, Nicole Freese and Chad Smith, Chali2na, among others, Welcome To Rockville and Sonic Temple will feature Serj Tankian, Dave Navarro, Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), James “Munky” Shaffer (Korn), Charlie Benante (Anthrax), Carla Harvey (The Violent Hour), Lzzy Hale and Joe Hottinger (Halestorm) and more.
Says Jim Lindberg, “With legendary punk bands like Black Flag, The Circle Jerks, Redd Kross and The Descendents all coming from the South Bay of Los Angeles, we’ve always tried to respect that legacy by having amazing musicians on our Speakeasy Stage and all kinds of great punk rockers from all over the world bringing their art to the Punk Rock & Paintbrushes installation! I think we’ve done a great job of keeping the punk rock spirit alive at the BeachLife Festival.”
Additional Punk Rock & Paintbrushes events this year will be announced soon.
The idea for Punk Rock & Paintbrushes came to founder Emily Nielsen in 2007 after she asked friend Tim McIlrath (Rise Against) to paint a piece of art with the lyrics to the Rise Against song “Survive” after she overcame a battle with cancer. The painting has traveled around the world with Emily as an everyday reminder that “how we survive is what makes us who we are.” Today, Punk Rock & Paintbrushes continues embodying that message by allowing space to let music artists create in another medium and share their thoughts on surviving in today’s challenging climate.
“Emily and Punk Rock & Paintbrushes are pioneers in a previously unappreciated space: the art of punk,” says McIlrath. “PR&PB recognized that so many of the musicians we know and love have more ways to express themselves than just music. Together with many other artists that also drink from the well of punk, PR&PB brings creative work out of the shadows and into the light at live shows, festivals and galleries around the world, much to the enjoyment of many fans. They do all of this while staying true to a DIY punk ethos and a deep reverence for the healing properties that live at the intersection of music and art.”
Adds Nielsen, “This year feels different with Punk Rock & Paintbrushes. This year we have set intentions and goals, we are here to bring art to those who appreciate it but I feel there is more to our collective now more than ever. We are a group of artists who want to make this world better than we found it and our foundation continues to be that of creativity & respect and we do so while keeping true to our punk rock values.”
Rise Against at Warped Tour 2025 with a signed guitar for auction
Punk Rock & Paintbrushes founder Emily Nielsen with Dropkick Murphys’ Ken Casey
System Of A Down’s Serj Tankian with some of his artwork at a recent event
About Punk Rock & Paintbrushes
Punk Rock & Paintbrushes is a niche and unique art management company as well as art show production brand that creates art shows at galleries and music festivals across the world and works with a variety of non-profits using art as a tool to make a positive impact for all. The roots reach back to 2007 when founder Emily Nielsen asked friend Tim McIlrath (Rise Against) to paint a piece of art with the lyrics to the Rise Against song “Survive” for her after overcoming a battle with cancer. The painting has traveled around the world with Emily and is an everyday reminder that “How we survive is what makes us who we are.” Today, Punk Rock & Paintbrushes manages talented artists across the globe who share their love of music and art, and brings art to collectors and fans from all walks of life.
Website: www.punkrockart.com
Instagram: @punkrockandpaintbrushes
