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Mural Project Reflections from Artist, Kelly Brown

8/21/2014

4 Comments

 
PicturePhoto by Alan Schlesinger
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.

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Kelly Brown is a TAPH artist partner, a writer and watercolor painter.








Photo by Lanecia Rouse

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Photo by Alan Schlesinger
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Photo by Alan Schlesinger
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Photo by Lanecia Rouse
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Photo by Lanecia Rouse
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Photo by Lanecia Rouse
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Photo by Lanecia Rouse
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Photo by Lanecia Rouse
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City Hall Mural Update

7/20/2014

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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.
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Telling Our Story: City Hall Mural Project

7/10/2014

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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)

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Take a Creativity Break with TAPH and 47 Strings in August

5/20/2014

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Come enjoy a special TAPH watercolor class that uses classical music--performed live--as an extra source of creative inspiration!  
 
In partnership with 47 Strings, participants will have beautiful music for voice & harp to guide their brushes & keep the creative juices flowing, alongside expert watercolor instruction from Joe Synan. 

When: 12-1:30pm in August 2014
 
Where: Watercolor Studio at TAPH
2019 Crawford Street
Houston, Texas 77002
Room 127
 
Cost: Suggested donation of $15
Space is limited.
Click HERE to register.


Partner Organization: 47 Strings
Founded in 2012 by harpist Meghan Caulkett, 47 Strings began with the mission of bringing classical music to the greater Houston community with one concert for every string on the harp. Though the initial goal of 47 concerts has been achieved, the vision continues. 
 
So far, over 1,700 people in Houston nursing homes, homeless shelters, and schools have been reached.  
Performing artists: 
Julia Fox, soprano
& 
Meghan Caulkett, harp


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Get Creative with TAPH Saturday, May 3!

4/23/2014

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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!

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Celebrate with us on Thursday, April 10

4/2/2014

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You Are Cordially Invited to the 
 
Lovett Elementary School & The Art Project, Houston Collaboration Exhibit & Celebration 
 
"The Perfect Place in the Whole Wide World Is..." 
 
Thursday, April 10 

Noon-1pm
Lovett Elementary School, Multi-Purpose Room 
8814 South Rice Avenue 
Houston, Texas 77096 


The Lovett Elementary Visual Arts Department and First Graders partnered with artists from 
The Art Project, Houston to create a once in a lifetime watercolor art exhibition.  

The first graders and artists of The Art Project, Houston were each invited to write letters inspired by the given writing prompt "The Perfect Place in the Whole Wide World Is...". The responses were traded between groups and used as muses to create marvelous watercolor pieces. This unprecedented union of artworks was highlighted at Prescription:Paint 2013 on December 7, 2013. 


We are thankful to our friends from Re-imagining Life Together and Lovett Elementary School for helping to make this exhibition and collaboration possible. 

To learn more about this collaboration and how you can host this special exhibit click HERE to contact Project Manager, Lanecia Rouse.


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Paint Party at Westbury United Methodist Church

3/30/2014

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Saturday, March 29, The Art Project, Houston team led a worship banner painting paint party for members of Westbury United Methodist Church.  With the help of our our friend and artist partner, Pastor Steve Braudt from The Art Project, Iowa who created the design during his visit early this month, the team led 15 participants of all ages in creating worship banners for their Easter service.

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To learn how to host a private paint party with The Art Project, Houston click HERE.
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A Reflection from Rutherford Yates, TAPH Artist Partner & Participant

3/13/2014

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Mr. Yates was one of the participants at our first Get Creative with TAPH on February 22. He has been apart of The Art Project, Houston since October 2013.  We invited him to write a reflection about his experience with The Art Project, Houston and Get Creative with TAPH. 
Here is his reflection...

Saturday, the 22nd of February 2014, I was fortunate enough to attend 2 classes of The Art Project at St. John's Church Downtown from 10am until 2pm.  These workshops were taught by 2 brilliant local creative artist.  This experience opened my mind up to the reality that there are numerous things in this life I can attempt to learn.  If no more than the principles or theories of how things operate. (How did they do that.)

The participating hands on in the creative work process show me that if, I focused my mental abilities in a structured and controlled environment my potential is unlimited. There is always a different angle to look at what you are going through.  I learned that God is healing me and it is a process. 

The Art Project has been a stabilizing factor in my life. I am coming out of homelessness. These workshops have allowed me to maintain my sanity through its various creative projects. This was exactly what I needed at this stage in my life. 

The Art Project and St. John's Church has exposed my mind to a whole new world out there.

Rutherford Yates, TAPH Artist Partner & Participant 


For registration details for our next Get Creative with TAPH CLICK HERE.

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Reflection from Get Creative with TAPH Participant, Amanda Emmons

3/4/2014

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Ask me a question and I’ll have to think for just a moment to find the proper words to answer your inquiry. Place an art media before me and my thoughts and my hands will immediately begin to work to create something…taking me to another place. 

The Art Project, Houston allows me that space and guidance to come together with like energies to explore…and it gives me life. I love it when I have one vision of how the piece is to come out, I make a mistake and it turns out to be the best imperfection that makes the piece unique…such as life.  And to watch the process of other masterpieces in the making is inspiring and life giving in itself.  It feeds my spirit.

Amanda Emmons was 1 of 31 participants at our first Get Creative with The Art Project, Houston day on Saturday, February 22. Get Creative with TAPH was a day of creative workshops offered by professional Houston based artists, helping each participant tap into their creativity, learn new art practices and create masterpieces to take with them. Each participant got to select 2 out of 6 workshops offered for their donation.  
Our next Get Creative with TAPH will be held on Saturday, May 2 (10am-2pm) at St. John's Downtown. Hope to see you then! For registration details click HERE.

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Get Creative with The Art Project, Houston on February 22!

2/20/2014

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Take a creativity break with The Art Project, Houston this Saturday, February 22!  You will get to participate in your choice of 2 out of the 6 Make & Take It workshops being offered. 
 
Workshops led by Houston artists:
Charles Washington
Joe Synan
Abbie Preston
 

Registration is a suggested donation of $65 to support the ongoing work of the Bread of Life to provide empowering programming for the men and women we serve. 
 
Click HERE for more information and to register today!

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    Lanecia A. Rouse

    Project Manager of TAPH

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