Today we’d like to introduce you to Art From the Streets. Them and their team share their story with us below:
AFTS started with three friends coming together to support, create and do more with persons living on the streets. They partnered with an Austin homeless shelter to provide an opportunity for persons to create. As the program grew and the shelter needed their space regularly, they connected with a local church and were able to acquire a location twice a week. We believe that anyone can make art and that making art is good for everyone. Art From the Streets’ volunteers now hold four times a week Open Studio session where persons experiencing homelessness, at risk or in transition can come to paint, draw and create. Throughout the year, we help them sell what they’ve made – by producing an annual show and sale, online sales, and 3-5 community art shows with 95% of art proceeds going to the artists. All resulting in the work created in the studio. As of the beginning of 2022, we are in our very own studio and excited to do more for this creative community.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In the past 29 years, we have been so very thankful for many community partners that have offered studio space, art show locations, enrichment opportunities, storage, meeting space and art supplies for our program. Working as a wheel and spoke organization for these years. We have made it happen but it takes a lot of coordination and volunteer hours. AFTS has an amazing group of positive, supportive and dedicated volunteers with the passion of doing more for this community.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
AFTS participants gain access to their creativity, and for some – the determination and discipline necessary to explore it. The personal relationships formed in the weekly studio sessions are invaluable additions to their lives. In many cases, the time spent with the volunteers and other artists in the open studio sessions are their only positive human interactions of the day. There is a feeling of pride and self-worth experienced in the studio.
At the annual and community shows the usual social hierarchy gets turned on its head, transforming them from faceless homeless people in need of help into the stars of the show. There is the sense of purpose that brings each artist to the open studio week after week and the satisfaction from working hard at something and ending up with tangible evidence of that effort. Visitors who might otherwise never have spoken to a homeless person engage with them at these shows. The interest and appreciation expressed by the patrons gives the artists a sense of worth – that they have something of value to offer the world. This means as much as the money they earn.
AFTS provides a safe and encouraging environment for persons experiencing homelessness and who are at risk. These artistic endeavors form a pathway to self determination, social connections and income generated through the pursuit of their art.
Contact Info:
- Email: learnmore@artfromthestreets.org
- Website: www.artfromthestreets.org
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/artfromthestreetsaustin/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artfromthestreets?ref=hl
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/AFTS
Image Credits
Alicia Wells, Photographer
