fresh stART

In 1991 a group of artists in Austin, Texas, recognized the growing homeless population and created a plan to give them an expressive outlet in art.  This manifested itself into a free, supportive and friendly art program for these individuals called Art from the Streets.  Art from the Streets is designed to give homeless individuals a place, as well as the materials needed, to create art.  This program features an annual art exhibition and sale of the work done by these artists.  So far, the program has earned over $350,000 with the profits going directly to the artists. 

OKC Project Overview: fresh stART

Based on Austin’s program, we propose a pilot program in Oklahoma City: an open visual arts studio each Friday afternoon.  This studio will be equipped with donated art supplies for painting and drawing, free of charge to participants.  This pilot program will be used to determine interest from the arts community, homeless people, and social service agencies.  We anticipate enough interest to organize an exhibit or show to bring the artists’ work to the public.  

 Fresh stART is intended for homeless adults who meet two minimal criteria: participants must be sober, and they must make art.  This program will be offered at the WestTown Resource Center, 1729 NW 3^rd St., in space provided by the Homeless Alliance.  Model programs that have provided a venue for expressive arts for homeless persons have had excellent results, offering a creative outlet, emotional therapy, connection to a peer group, life structure, skills transferable to employment, and dignity.

fresh stART Needs:      

Volunteers

·         Artists: These volunteers will not be asked to teach art but rather to make art at the open studio.  They can answer questions, of course, but their primary role is to model the behavior of a working artist. Expected commitment is every Friday afternoon for one month.

·         Social workers: These volunteers will be on site to handle any situations that may come up while the artists are at work.  Expected commitment is based on a rotation schedule.  Social workers will rotate on a schedule over 4-6 weeks depending on number of volunteers.

·         Other:  If you are interested in fresh stART, call us!  We’ll find a place for you.  

Donations

·         Acrylic paints

·         Paint brushes, all sizes

·         Canvas

·         Paper, general grade

·         Matte board

·         Pencils, charcoal

·         Colored pencils, Prisma color

·         Gel medium

·         Glue

·         White paper plates

·         Cups

·         Scissors

·         Easels

·         Soap/detergent

·         Bucket

·         Aprons

·         Sketch books

·         Old magazines

·         Gift cards

2008 The Homeless Alliance