What art does for me
What art does for me
Program lets homeless profit from painting
On a Tuesday in October, about a dozen adults gather in the basement of a downtown church to draw and paint everything from a still life of a table to an abstract Jackson Pollock—type splatter piece.
Despite the variety of styles and colors, one characteristic links the different artists: They are all homeless.
Art From the Streets is a volunteer-run program that was founded in 1991 and has provided the location and supplies for the homeless to gather to draw and paint. The program holds free open studio sessions twice a week.
"We provide everything; they can come in and relax and create something wonderful," said Pam Costello, a class coordinator for Art From the Streets.
The artwork created during the studio sessions is sold during an annual event in November at the Austin Convention Center. All of the proceeds benefit the homeless artist who created the work.
Howard Cook, an Austin native who is homeless, has participated in Art From the Streets for about 20 years. He said he looks forward to the art show as a way to make money for food.
"I'm hungry. I need something to eat," he said. "I'm trying to make an honest living without robbing anyone or selling drugs. I'm trying to do something so my name will be in the history books."
Art show
From noon–5 p.m. Nov. 9–10, artwork that was created by homeless members of the community through Art From the Streets will be available for viewing and purchase at the Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez St.
The show will run from noon–5 p.m., and all proceeds go directly to the artists. Most of the art ranges in price from $30–$200.
The 2012 Art From the Streets Annual Show and Sale featured more than 2,000 pieces of art created by nearly 100 artists.
More than 850 people attended the show and bought $57,000 worth of art, said Pam Costello, a class coordinator for Art From the Streets.
Howard Cook, a homeless artist who has participated in most of the Art From the Streets shows, said the event is always well-received.
"We have a good crowd that comes to these kinds of events," he said. "It's a good time."
Help the cause
Community members can support Art From the Streets in multiple ways, said Pam Costello, a class coordinator for Art From the Streets.
People can purchase artwork during the Nov. 9–10 annual show, directly donate to Art From the Streets, or volunteer to help with the art show or open studio sessions that are held twice a week. Each studio session is aided with the help of multiple volunteers.
Art From the Streets, Open studio sessions held at St. David's Trinity Center, 304 E. Seventh St.,www.artfromthestreets.com
Photo by Gene Davis
Photo by Gene Davis
