Eric Johnson said he feels his mother, Cathy, would be proud to know that an initiative to support youth art in her honor is being created.

A memorial benefit dinner honoring Cathy is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. April 20 at Faith United Church of Christ, located at 1001 Fifth St.

“She was really involved with the Northland Art Society,” Johnson said of his mother.

Cathy died suddenly in September 2010 at the age of 58. As an avid member of the Northland Art Society, Johnson said his mother was “quite the artist.”

One of Cathy’s passions was getting young people involved with art.

“My mom always had a passion for getting youth interested in visual art,” Johnson explained.

He added that he is hopeful this first-time benefit event will be a success and that he knows Cathy would have been appreciative of the efforts being made by the art society and the church.

“Art was important to her,” Johnson said. “She would have loved this.”

The benefit will feature a dinner, raffles, and live music from local artists. Johnson said he hopes to have some of Cathy’s artwork for sale.

Any proceeds collected from the free-will offering event will go to the newly established Northland Art Society children’s fund.