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.

A informational piece of the benefits of art and creativity in the life of every individual. This piece reminded our team of the words shared by a man who attended the DaCamera Concert hosted by the Bread of Life in 2012.  As he was living the 25-minute symphony concert he smiled and said, "Thank you. That was like medicine. Thank you."

Art has a number of therapeutic benefits. Here are a list of the benefits provided by Joan French MA NCC LCPC

As part of my offerings – I include Art Therapy. Many clients I encounter haven’t heard of it, and are unfamiliar as to how it might be able to help. I felt it was important to highlight the benefits of using art in therapy, so I’ve composed this, ‘Art Therapy – Top 10 Benefits’ list:

1. Art Therapy can provide a forum to express strengths and genuineness.
2. Through viewing one’s own creation – one can improve the skill of self-observation.
3. What cannot be said with words – may be more easily expressed through the art.
4. Metaphors and stories emerge through the art – which can provide a ‘voice’ for material which may be difficult to express.
5. Art Therapy is active & physical, fun, and stimulating.
6. Emotions and art are closely connected; making art can aid in uplifting one’s mood.
7. Making art activates the whole brain and can foster integration of emotional, cognitive, and sensory processes.
8. Emerging and recurrent symbols expressed in the art can help to make unconscious material conscious.
9. Art can make the hidden – visible in an external & tangible way.
10. Art making provides an experience which is stress & anxiety reducing, relaxing, and decreases worry.

If you are interested in finding out more information about Art Therapy, please visit these websites: American Art Therapy Association and Art Therapy Blog.

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. 

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!

We have started another class rotation of pottery at the Bread of Life. The class has started a bit slow, but it never ceases to amaze me how many people began to walk over to see what we are doing. I hear so many responses. Many are waiting for an invitation to come and make a cup, quickly jumping at the opportunity once asked. Some look as though they have gone back to their days in elementary school, when creating a crooked pot was highest priority. Others are reluctant to begin the process, exclaiming, “I don’t know how,” but with a little encouragement they begin to feel the dirt between their fingers and a smile emerges.

Within the past few years of working with clay, I have seen how this medium is able to bring people together. I believe this is one of the reasons I love working with it so much. From my experience, there is usually a story that goes along with pottery making. Whether it was done as a child in school, watching a grandmother throw on the wheel, or simply having a favorite mug to drink a hot beverage from, clay is able to translate well to all walks of life.

Working with students at TAPH this year I have seen this become an important part of what we do. We want to be a place of creativity for those to come, whatever place they may be in their life and find purpose, to find healing. Through this hands-on-experience, students are able to put their hands to the clay and make something from beginning to end. Today we rarely get to see and enjoy the whole process. When asked to one of the students what their favorite part of making the cups was, she replied, “It’s in the process, the making of the whole cup.” What satisfaction to stand back and know that the cup sitting on your table would not have existed if you had not created it.

Abbie Preston
Is the newest member of the Bread of Life, Inc. staff working with The Art Project, Houston
Abbie served with the Bread of Life as a Mission Year Intern from September 2011-July 2012. After her year of service she decided to come back and join the team.
Abbie graduated from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia in December 2009 with a studio art degree concentrating in ceramics, drawing and painting.  She has been working with clay for the past four years while in school and then moving to Atlanta to teach and serve as an artist in residence at Mudfire Clayworks.
www.abbiepreston.com