You and Your Guests Are Invited to the 
 The Art Project, Houston at the Unveiling of Our Mural 
"Here, But Not Forgotten" 
 
Thursday, November 6
 10:30 am
 The Great City of Houston City Hall 
City Hall Tunnel Entrance
 
Join us as we celebrate the work of the artists and listen to the stories behind the masterpiece with City of Houston leadership, the artists and the community. 

Click HERE to learn more about the artists and mural project.

When we came into the mural project painting group, the canvas seemed endless.  It appeared to be a gigantic piece of white canvas that went on forever and ever.  How would we ever fill it? What would we say?

People were there for a variety of different reasons. Some people had experienced homelessness very recently and were still in transition.  They were no longer on the street, but not yet experiencing the stability and security they desired. 


Others were still on the street and actively engaged in the struggle to end that phase of their journey.  One person didn't see himself as an artist, and just came to possibly make twenty dollars.  There were some who resonated with the title of "artist" and wanted to make a statement.  They wanted to show both sympathy, as well as empathy for those living on the streets and in shelters.  They wanted to express that those experiencing homelessness are not "ghosts" or "apparitions," but real live human beings who have a presence and an existence on this planet even if they have no residence. The mural painters wanted to affirm the dignity of all human beings no matter what their present station in life may be.

The first step in the process involved putting white paint on the canvas. There was no dramatic transformation, but at least brush had been put upon canvas! The next step was more visible and involved as different shades of background color were applied.  It ascended from dark gray to sky blue. A bridge and steps were added.  Both of these were powerful symbols.  The bridge connects from where one begins to where one wants to go. The steps represented ascension of people who were in transition.  Underneath the bridge, those still experiencing homelessness were located in the dark shades of chaos and confusion. All were recognized in their various stages and understood in their proper context. Everyone is in various stages on the journey of life. 

Our final feat up till now was the addition of the words... "here but not forgotten!"  It recognized that those experiencing homelessness are present.  They are not going anywhere. They are not forgotten by those who have completed that stage of the journey and remember those they left behind in the streets.  

The canvas is no longer blank. It has a life of its own. It has been molded and shaped into a beautiful creation by a collective process of caring artists.  The work continues. The journey does as well.

The men and women of The Art Project, Houston gathered in St. John’s Bread of Life yesterday to continue their work on their newest mural. This mural, once finished, will be a depiction of the feelings and experiences of the homeless men and women of Houston, and it will be hung in City Hall. 

This week was the second of six sessions. Last week, the background of the mural was completed: a smoky, dark gray that gradually becomes lighter as it moves to the top of the canvas. This week, a new touch was added to the top half: a deep blue that fades as it approaches the bottom. So now, bottom to top, the canvas goes from dark gray to light gray to light blue to ocean blue. 

The mural will also feature a bridge, and this week they decided which one: the bridge spanning Buffalo Bayou near the University of Houston - Downtown. Since a large portion of Houston’s homeless community call this bridge their  home, it only seemed appropriate. By this time next week, that bridge will be displayed on the canvas.

Spirits were high last Tuesday, July 8th as
members of the Bread of Life community propped a large white canvas up against the wall. Though for the moment it was blank, it would soon be covered with the beginnings of a beautiful mural. After six weeks of painting, the completed
mural will be hung in City Hall this fall. The project is being led by Houston based artists, Abbie Preston.

The first session started with a brainstorming
session. The BoL members huddled around an inspiration board filled with ideas people have written down for what they want the mural to communicate. Each phrase and thought written down centers around the main message of the mural:
the experiences of the homeless community.

The inspiration board contained words like “pain” and “help,” but it also had phrases like “new start” and “peace in
my heart.” After deliberating, the men and women picked up their paintbrushes and completed the background of the mural: a dark gray on the bottom that gets lighter towards the top. As the grays they painted got lighter and lighter, so did the mood of the room, and hopefully so will the hearts of everyone who sees
the final product.

Photos and Reflection by Josh Hundl (St. John's Downtown Summer Intern)

Get Creative with The Art Project, Houston is a day of creativity and fun.  Each participant experiences two workshops of their choice, led by professional Houston artists. In each workshop you will learn a new art skill, tap into your creativity and leave with your very own masterpieces. 

We provide art experiences for everyone to tap into their creative spirit within, as well as creative ways for people to financially assist the Bread of Life in offering therapeutic art opportunities for Houston's homeless community.

Click HERE to register today!

Thank You, Lovett Elementary Fine Arts for the Certificate of Artistic Excellence!!!

You are an Outstanding School.  It never occurred to me; that my views on Houston, Texas would have had such an impact.  This was an educational experience, which I enjoyed.  

I got the opportunity to listen and view students from a Houston Public magnet school orchestrate beautiful music.  After talking with the children, I learned they received their musical instrument at a fundamentally early age.  That's wonderful. 

Most of all, Lovett Elementary substantiated my beliefs about Houston.  All the necessary information and resources are here. 

St. John's Church Downtown, the Art Project of Houston and a host of various organizations have greatly enriched my life; since, I returned to my home town. I bank on Houston!  

Thank You Very Much!!!
R.B.H.Yates 
3rd April 15, 2014


Photography by John Bullock of Bullock Art