Eunice is one busy and focused woman. Between her commitments to volunteer at Lord of the Streets, Bread of Life Wednesday Food Fair, The Art Project class, getting things in order to become a professional hairstylist again, and creating beautiful jewelry art, we managed to find a few minutes for Mission Year Intern, Cynthia Javaras, to learn some things about her as an artist and her experience with TAPH to share.

What has brought you the most life in the art class?
I have enjoyed the watercolor with Mr. Joe the most!  I previously had training in that medium and my art teacher in junior high said I had the skill.  Since then I knew I wanted to continue to do art.

What do you enjoy the most about making beads?
I love anything that I get to use my mind.  (Beads) is just another craft I can master.

What have you enjoyed about being apart of The Art Project, Houston?
I love people.  I started doing the art after dark program about 8 weeks ago and knew I wanted to continue to do art.  I am a people person and the class allows me to blossom because everyone else is blossoming.

Participants often use the word "family" in describing The Art Project class experience. Do you think the art class has become a family?
We were already family.  The class is the icing on the cake.

Reflection by Mission Year Intern with TAPH, Cynthia Javaras

The art class ended another rotation this past Tuesday December 18, 2012.  The students have journeyed through various trips to Museums, enjoyed a couple of watercolor workshops directed by a local artist, and learned new skills including working with fabric.  Below, are the individual celebrations and experiences of the art students.

 “Ever since we went to the museum of contemporary craft and saw the fabric art exhibit I have wanted to stitch.  Now I don’t want to sketch, all I want is my needle and thread.”
(Eric) a participant who is currently working on a fabric piece with the words “Be encouraging to one another”

Ms. Carolyn is a student who is very fond of the scripture John 3:16 and has continuously looked for new ways to place her stamp on new materials.  This art class rotation she started to paint!

“The art class is a relaxing environment for me.”
(Gerald) a participant who has inspired the class with his dedication to his school work along with his commitment to the art class.

“ I enjoyed the trip to the Fine Arts Museum because in the Egyptian exhibit showed how writing to them was a sacred practice, and I enjoyed that because I am a writer.”
-(Kellie) a participant who is a extremely gifted writer, lover and brilliant caretaker of words. Be on watch for some of her pieces soon.

“I like to draw peaceful places (including mountain and beach scenes) because I want to go there myself.”
 -(Chris) a participant who is currently a resident at Knowles-Temenos apartments and volunteers daily at the Bread of Life, Inc. as a way to give back.

Each of the students have unique passions including writing, sewing, painting, drawing, poetry, stamping, and collage.  Despite these differences of skill and craft, the class shares a genuine spirit of thankfulness and gratitude toward one another.  As a way to mark their willingness to commit to the process of healing and being empowered by art, each member of the class was handed a “Certificate of Completion" and was photographed by one of the participants who picked up a box camera for the special day.

Smiles all around.

Special thanks to Marie Noack, Roz Grimes and Pastor Simeon L. Queen for their leadership, support and love of each participant in The Art Project class (therapeutic art and empowerment 5-week rotation class of TAPH).

Here at TAPH, students have been in full swing this holiday season, creating Christmas cards and holiday art for various Art Fairs and Holiday Markets. As they have been celebrating and capturing the spirit of the season through their art, they have also been given the chance to be apart of something so much bigger than themselves!

Iconic entertainer and performer Beyoncé along with her mom, award-winning fashion designer Tina Knowles have joined forces with Bread of Life, Inc., and Pastors Rudy and Juanita Rasmus (Founder and Creative Director of The Art Project, Houston), to fight for the needs of the less fortunate with a fundraising campaign they call Miss A Meal.  Participants and supporters of the movement donate by "Missing a Meal", and donating what would be the cost of that meal to the Miss a Meal Campaign. Supporters take a picture with their empty plate and post the picture on social media sites like facebook and twitter, to show their individual support and to spread awareness of the movement! many twitter users even add a signature "twibbon" to their profile pictures to spread the word!

On Sunday, December 9th, 2012, TAPH students had the opportunity to have their picture taken with a signature Miss A Meal Plate! St. Johns Downtown had a photo shoot set up in the lobby for supporters of the movement, Bread of Life, Inc, and TAPH, to have their picture taken with a signature Miss A Meal Plate. All Pictures are to be realeased on the Miss A Meal Facebook page.

The Miss A Meal movement will not only benefit Bread of Life, Inc. and TAPH students, but also partners with non-profits that are instrumental in meeting the needs of the hungry by providing for those who aren’t sure of where their next meal will come from. Miss A Meal was inspired by the simple premise that one person has the power to help many. With a nominal cost of $1.00 per person to provide a well balanced meal, Miss A Meal supporters will be able to provide multiple meals through a single donation, simply text the word “PLATE” to 50555 in order to make a $5.00 donation to the Miss A Meal movement! 

It only takes one plate!