“Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul” - Plato

The Art Project, Houston (TAPH) a project of the Bread of Life, Inc. provides a diversity of opportunities throughout the week for the men and women we serve through the After Dark Shelter to encounter art and tap into their creativity.

We believe that in these encounters people receive healing, joy and are empowered in ways that only creating and being supported in community can bring. Everyone deserves access to the beauty, inspiration and life that interacting with great art can bring, and we are dedicated to providing these encounters for the men and women we serve.

Thursday, September 27, at 6:30 pm, to celebrate the opening of there 25th Anniversary Season, Da Camera of Houston, led by Artistic and General Director, Sarah Rothenberg will brought a free performance to the men and women we serve at The Bread of Life. Sarah led the ensemble made up of three generations of artists, including an artist who performed on Da Camera's first season and several of his current and former students. 

They performed J.S. Bach's Keyboard Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, BWV 1052.  This was a great introduction to classical music for any listener, as well as a wonderful concert for classical music lovers.  In appreciation of the work that the Bread of Life does for the city of Houston, the musicians agreed to donate their services for this performance. 

It was a beautiful!  Over 100 men and women being served dinner by the Bread of Life filled the sanctuary of St. John's Downtown for the concert. The concert was a total of 20-minutes and after each piece the community affirmed the art and asked for an "encoure!"  Throughout the show you could feel a since of peace and aliveness with each beautiful note played.  The music was soothing and offered hope, as Da Camera of Houston offered our community their best.  

Below are a few quotes from attendees as they exited the concert:

"I have always wanted to go to a symphony. Ever since I was a kid. There is probably nothing like being in a symphony hall, but it was so good to finally hear some of a symphony." 

"Thank you. That was really nice, really nice."  (big smile on her face)

"Thank you. That was off the hook! It was medicine. Thank you."

We exist within the Bread of Life, Inc. to provide art encounters and experiences that facilitate the mental healing and empowerment of men and women of the downtown Houston homeless community. We are thankful for artists and organizations in the community who join us in living out this mission.  We hope, with Da Camera of Houston, that last night was the first collaboration of many.

We celebrate with Donald Collins the sharing of his story along with stories of other artists in downtown Houston and The Art Project, Houston tonight on Channel 13 News. 

Donald is one of 10 TAPH commissioned artists we have the privilege of partnering with. We seek avenues for them to share their art with the City of Houston, as well as provide space and opportunities for them to create, grow in technique & skills and sell their art.

Recently Donald Collins put out an artist statement on No Studios Studio sharing his story. With his permission, here it is for The Art Project, Houston community to share learn...

Ever-sporting an infectious grin, wild silver hair and a lead pencil, Don Collins is as much of a die-hard social activist as he is an enthusiastic artist. One of the quirky Texan’s earliest creative memories centers around the gift of coloring books, Crayons and blank sheets of paper given to him by various family relatives. “All of the women folk were constantly saying, ‘He loves the colors, he loves bright’ – - and I did. I still do,” Collins relates with a laugh. Although he remembers attending every art class offered up through grade 6, Collins’ formal art training reached its peak in 1972 when a NASA employee-turned-art-teacher offered the 19-year old, then serving a year-long prison sentence, a series of one-hour art lessons. That seed of artistic expression would prove to lay dormant, however, over the next forty or so years because once released from prison, all of the sketches and other artistic pieces that Collins had created were thrown out; he didn’t pick up a pencil or paintbrush again until 2008 when a dramatic sensory experience at a local music concert breathed new life into Collins’ artistic endeavors. Now, almost two and half years later, the man with a perpetual twinkle in his eye is so passionate about art that it is almost impossible to stumble upon Collins without a sketch pad, pencil and color in hand at literally any time of day or night.

Collins best describes his art work as free-form liberationism, often incorporating his passion for social change with his view of the world around him. “Like impressionism or expressionism,” explains Collins, “my painting is all of the above, depending on the music I’m listening to and the mood I’m capturing and how I throw my paint. Life’s your canvas,” he continues. “Paint it!” The dedicated sketch artist most often finds his inspiration from forms around him, whether they be trees in the park — a representation of worship as the altars of a living God, notes Collins — circles of homeless men or even the goblet shapes during Sunday’s communion. Although proficient in a wide variety of artistic mediums, Collins gravitates towards watercolor, acryclic and soft pastels as well as towards charcoal, pen and ink, and lead.

Acting as the energetic mastermind behind NoStudio Studios, a holding space for homeless artists and itinerant souls with a bent towards creative self-expression, Collins’ personal viewpoint and encouragement to others it “to be true to yourself, be true to your heart, be true to your God, and,” he concludes with conviction, “you will create beautiful art your whole life.” It is no great surprise that this mantra serves as a source of inspiration for all who cross the artist’s path.

Look to see Donald, his work and learn more of his story tonight on Channel 13. You can also learn more about Donald's heart and mission at his website: http://nostudiosstudios.wordpress.com/

If you are interested in purchasing works created by Donald in partnership with The Art Project, Houston a project of the Bread of Life, Inc. you can contact our office at:
lrouse@breadoflifeinc.org

During our training week for Mission year we had the privilege of
hearing from Lanecia about her personal story and how The Art Project Houston
(TAPH) came to life.  I instantly was thrilled to have the opportunity to serve alongside an amazing staff with a vision to empower the homeless community through the arts!  

My first week included meeting new people, organizing supplies, preparing for the Prescription: Paint 2012 event, and visiting the Museum of Contemporary Craft Houston.  I enjoyed spending time with the art students and seeing them come to life during studio time, classes, and our visit to the art museum.  During our visit, we experienced the artwork and interacted with the artists within their own studio setting.  

Upon returning to the Bread of Life, the students engaged in a profound discussion on the artwork they saw and how the pieces inspired them in their own work. A class favorite seemed to be a series of threaded composition notebooks because of the creativity and the length of time needed to complete them (over 10 years).  To me the notebooks displayed in the art museum showed the incredible power of someone’s life story. The staff team here is dedicated to restoring the value of everyone’s story through meeting their felt, spiritual, emotional, and
creative needs.  In these past few days, I have experienced how this place truly is the Bread of Life.

Prescription: Paint 2012 is an interactive paint party FUNdraiser of the Bread of Life, Inc. to support our therapeutic art and empowerment program, The Art Project, Houston.  It will be a memorable morning filled with food, fun and creative expression.

Come dressed to create and leave with your own masterpiece!

Become a Prescription: Paint 2012 Sponsor or Purchase Your Ticket today.

Thanks in advance for your support. 

A few years ago, before I became involved with the Bread of Life, I truly believed I had super powers….The power to determine who was in real need and who was not. I would pass people on the street, whether while driving in my car or while riding my bike through the city and selectively make an on – the - spot decision on whether to give or not to give….to help my brother or not to help my sister.  To this day, I cannot say how I made my determinations, but I did and some were the recipients of the little I gave and some simply did not qualify based on the criteria that I irresponsibly relied upon to make these critical life impacting decisions. When I think about it, these were normally split – second decisions that were made. Rarely would I take the time to inquire about what, why and how they arrived at this point of need.  I guess I simply thought I was too busy…or that my deed of giving was good enough…or that their plight was not my problem…or maybe I did not realize that the problem was far greater than the spare change that I would offer as a temporary resolution.

Then I was introduced to the Bread of Life. As a result, I’m no longer crippled by the super powers I thought I had…those powers that determined need in a split – second. Introduction to the BOL gave me a more accurate compass to direct the use of my resources to help address the problems of homelessness, hunger and hope. It took some great people to help me overcome this crippling disability… this disability I described as super powers earlier. When I met the people of BOL…the people giving and the people receiving, my life and my perspective were changed. My time is no longer spent making split – second, isolated decisions. I no longer spend time recounting what I have given; rather I spend time thinking about how I can give more. I no longer worry if my contribution will be wasted; rather, I think about how the gift I transfer to others will be an investment in the betterment of humanity. 

I’m thankful to the Bread of Life…The people that work everyday to impact humanity and the people that gratefully receive the gifts of an extended hand of love. Both groups have taught me that it is possible that I do have a super power….The power to love and the power to participate in the LOVE Revolution.

Thank you BOL!

Mark Thomas is a Bread of Life, Inc. volunteer and one of our Prescription: Paint 2012 Sponsors.

A few weeks ago, Malichia joined a group of artists from "The Art Project, Houston" a project of the Bread of Life, on a visit to MOCHA studios. He was inspired by the three-dimensional art that filled the space and returned to the art studio at the Bread of Life, Inc. ready to create some three-dimensional art pieces.  He has created a number of pieces since that visit. Some he has gifted to people in his community and others he has offered to be exhibited in upcoming shows for The Art Project, Houston. 

One of his first three-dimensional creations is a spectacular piece titled, "Sunset Over the Sea." He created it out of reused and found objects he collected as he walked the streets of Houston. "Sunset Over the Sea" was first exhibited at Cups for Change, and was purchased this past weekend at ArtFest 2012.  It was an exciting moment for Malichia and TAPH team.

When the studio doors opened today, one of "The Art Project, Houston" participants walked through the door with a surprise cake of support and love for the new joy Malichia has found in the medium of three-dimensional mixed media art. Needless to say the room was filled with many smiles and lots of joy feasting on this treat.

Friday and Saturday (September 14 & 15) The Art Project, Houston (TAPH) a project of the Bread of Life, Inc. participated in ArtFest 2012 at John Wesley UMC. We exhibited a number of pieces of art created by participants from the Bread of Life, as well as clay Bread of Life coasters created & donated by the youth of Faithbridge UMC who volunteered at the Bread of Life, Inc. over the summer. It was a great show and opportunity to share with another Houston community The Art Project, Houston story and have fun in the process.

We celebrate with all of the TAPH artists who had work exhibited at ArtFest 2012. The work was beautiful and was affirmed by many who stopped by to view. We want to congratulate Larry and Malichia who both had art pieces purchased at the show. 

We look forward to our next exhibition during the month of October at The Doshi House in Third Ward (3419 Dowling Street, Houston, Texas 77004). We will be exhibiting and selling a number of charcoal art expressions created by TAPH participants and artist friends of The Art Project, Houston.

Online gallery of the art created by participants in The Art Project, Houston coming soon. 
If you are interested in having The Art Project, Houston participate in an art show or exhibition you are hosting, please contact Lanecia Rouse, Project Manager, at:
lrouse@breadoflifeinc.org
713-659-3237

Text "BELIEVE" to 50555 to join The Art Project, Houston Mobile Community

It is FREE and you will not get SPAM messages from us.

You will receive no more than 3 text messages a month through the MGIVE Service sharing :

*Volunteer Opportunities
*Special Opportunities for YOU to tap into your creativity
*Exhibitions, Art Shows and Special Events of The Art Project, Houston Announcements
*Opportunities to Give and Donate
*Success Stories to Celebrate

The Art Project, Houston a project of the Bread of Life, Inc., is not just the work of a few people.

It is a community. 

It is only through you BELIEVING that The Art Project, Houston can heal and empower lives that we are creating opportunities for men and women who are homeless, marginalized and desiring a new reality to experience what we BELIEVE art can offer people of all ages and walks of life.

Text "BELIEVE" to 50555 TODAY. 

Together WE will make a difference!

"Even though my experiences with the Bread of Life were positive, the streets themselves were not. Frustration, fatigue, dismay, and anger were felt mainly when dealing with the mainstream population. People in general, while speaking magnanimously of the homeless issue, were betrayed by their own actions. There were public places where I was unwelcome... not due to ill behavior or uncleanliness, but because I carried my meager belongings on me in a backpack.

The fatigue factor was probably the worst aspect of being homeless. There is so little rest to be had. Homeless people are constantly shooed away from anywhere that they could possibly relax and get away from the elements. Homeless shelters, while stretched to their limits, allow little relaxation for the homeless to get away from the day's heat or cold. Because of the hours of operation, there is so much time spent waiting in lines for various things there is little time to actually rest. Once you are bedded down it's late and then you've got to get up early to start the process all over.

I found out about Bread of Life through another homeless man. He told me of a place where food, showers, and a place to sleep were available. My impressions of the Bread of Life were positive, and admittedly, one of the most influential times of my life. I learned that it's okay to give of oneself. Whether the giving be money, time, possessions, or life's insights, giving to others makes you feel good about yourself.

The Art Project, Houston was WONDERFUL! The program, while probably not for everyone, offered me an artistic release. From the directors to the volunteers, I was given the tools and challenged to be creative.  The program allowed me to open up as an artist and use different mediums to convey thoughts, emotions, and/or physical hardships or pleasures.

The interactions with the staff and other homeless involved in The Art Project, Houston is an experience I'll never forget. There is genuine love in abundance. There is virtually no selfishness; it's about giving, helping, guiding, and encouraging others to be better than they themselves think possible.

I am most grateful for the life lesson that it's okay to give of oneself to those less fortunate. I'm also grateful for the art lesson that art is not defined and definite, that it's okay to paint outside the lines."