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."
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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:
LoveIsStudios quote from Donald Collins, Founder/Director and #TAPHArtistPartner , for the Abundant Life Mural Project: "Just as the tree provides life to many just by the very nature of its being, so the artist brings inspiration to all just by the nature of creativity. Be Creative! Be Inspired!" Donald is one of TAPH Artists 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. He is currently one of the commissioned artists creating the Abundant Life mural that will be featured at City Hall this fall. 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. The Art Project class went to the Station Museum today! CALL IT STREET ART, CALL IT FINE ART, CALL IT WHAT YOU KNOW is the exhibition currently showing at the museum featuring several of Houston's talented artists. It is showing May 25, 2013 - August 25, 2013. To learn more information click the following link:
Station Museum Monday, June 17, kicked off an 11-week mural project journey for TAPH Artists partners, Connect2Art Project and The Art Project, Houston a project of the Bread of Life. Since the project was founded in 2010, Connect2Art Project, founded by Sheri Hammonds, has engaged men and women who are homeless, near homeless or in life crisis situations in healing art programs. One of the goals of Connect2Art is to create a series of murals with homeless individuals for exhibition in public spaces. Three murals have been created and exhibited at Houston’s City Hall in partnership with the Star of Hope's Transitional Living Center and the Men's Development Center. The fourth mural will be a collaborative effort with The Art Project, Houston a project of the Bread of Life. For 11-weeks the artists will meet 2-hours each week to create this masterpiece as a team. A lead artist will work with homeless individuals to design and paint the mural expressing homelessness and its challenges. The mural program provides a nurturing environment for recipients, helping them to reconnect to their inner creativity and renew their optimism and faith in themselves and their community. Recipients expressed greater self awareness, increased self confidence and a stronger sense of self worth as they engage in small groups of eight to ten individuals to paint together under the skillful and compassionate guidance of their volunteer facilitators. Here are some of the students’ comments after completion of one of their 8-week programs: “I enjoy art because it clears my mind and it takes me to another zone. I’m able to express myself with the mind and soul.” “Art has taught me to express myself and release frustration and anger in a healing way.” “The art class serves as a coping mechanism to help me deal with stress. It also allows me to get in touch with my inner artist.” “I am very grateful for the class and I hope many others will benefit from it just as I have.” The goal of creating these large murals is to increase public awareness about the plight of homeless people by exhibiting their artwork in public spaces. Homeless students in this program learn important team building skills and the power of collaborating together toward a goal. The process begins with a discussion about what it is that the students would like to express, which leads to sketches and rough drafts of the mural. Under the guidance of a professional mural artist, students are then shown all the steps to complete the mural and make it a meaningful piece of art. Knowing that the mural will be placed in a public space gives students a great sense of purpose and accomplishment. The estimated date of completion of the mural with Bread of Life is August 30, 2013. The mural will culminate with an installation at Houston City Hall, with members of City Hall staff in attendance at the unveiling. It is our great pleasure that we bring Houston this meaningful piece of art. We are excited about this partnership and look forward to sharing the art with The City of Houston this fall. We cannot do this work with the support of people who are choosing to believe with us. If you are interested in investing in this project with The Art Project, Houston that we may continue to empower our artists partners as the tranistion into a re-imagined life, you can do so by clicking The Art Project, Houston Join us in Celebrating! Four members of The Art Project, Houston community: Kelly Brown, TAPH Artist Partner Gary Jackson, TAPH Artist Partner and The Path to Freedom Ministry Member Rosalyn Grimes, TAPH Volunteer Lanecia A. Rouse , TAPH Project Manager have writings and photography published in the July/August 2013 of Alive Now Magazine on Creativity! Get your copy today at: http://alivenow.upperroom.org/ I am originally from Los Angeles, California. I came to Houston in May of 2011, after marrying my then wife who was from Rhode Island. After suffering through 6 months of a tumultuous marriage where I endured both physical & emotional abuse, I finally just packed a few of my things and left on the 22nd of May 2012. This is how I became homeless. How can I describe how survival on the streets is for someone who has never experienced this ordeal before? Life on the streets of Houston was literally Hell! No family to turn to, no friends to depend on, no knowledge of where anything is that will give you can get a HAND-UP and not a HAND-OUT. Everyday waking up to try to find some form of work to care for yourself while at the same time trying to find a secure place to hide your belongings, only to come back after spending all day searching for work to discover that your things were stolen by some other person who has a drug or alcohol addiction. My things were stolen on three different occasions since I’ve been on the streets, including having my identification & work credentials stolen the very first time my things were taken. This is what caused me to be on the streets for so long. Even through all of that turmoil I’d have to say that the worst experience of life on the streets were the winter months. Having to sleep under bridges, in parks, or in the doorway of some building when it is cold or raining or both is the worst feeling ever. Even worst is to have someone who has a nice warm house to go to every night tell you, “don’t give up, it’s going to get better” yet they do nothing to help ease your condition. Its like being on fire and someone standing there with a bucket of water but not throwing it on you to dowse the flames. I came upon the Bread of Life a few days after I first became homeless, and met Pastor Lanecia during one of the After Dark Art programs she was teaching that day. It was an art contest to paint something using the theme “HOPE”. I’d never held a paintbrush in my hand to create anything until that day and really didn’t want to participate, but she encouraged me to do so. I ended up winning the contest with a painting that I titled “My Dad’s Not Missing”, and sold the painting at an art exhibit a few weeks later. That experience ignited a desire to create and I’ve since sold numerous paintings at other exhibits that Pastor Lanecia has taken me to. The Art Project, Houston was the stepping stone that I was searching for to help me get my life back on track. It gave me a safe and constructive way to vent the stresses and frustrations that life was weighing on my shoulders without me doing anything illegal that would get me into trouble with the law. Through The Art Project, Houston I was able to meet a number of influential people including, but not limited to, Reginald Adams (an artist and Co-Founder of the Museum Of Cultural Arts, Houston). I have since gotten a job working at the Port of Houston as a roustabout, and an apartment on Houston’s Southeast side. I can honestly say that none of this would have been possible without my experiences and opportunities through TAPH. This is why it is very important for programs such as TAPH to continue to thrive. Because for every 3 people you run into on these streets full of games, there is one who is sincerely striving to make a way to live a better life…and that one is worth all the effort! When did you realize you were an artist? I’ve been drawing with pencil since my youth, but I never realized I was a painter until Pastor Lanecia put a paintbrush in my hand. Who or what inspires you? What motivates you to create? Life! I look at things as I go throughout my day and something gives me ideas about what to paint or create. Why did you decide to partner with The Art Project, Houston? The reason was twofold. It gave me a positive outlet to vent, and helped me out financially in a time when I really needed it. What is the coolest art project you have worked on with TAPH? That’s a tough one, because there are actually two projects that stand out to me. Working with TAPH & M.O.C.A.H. at the Starbucks convention last September, and working on the Mural project for the side of the Bread Of Life, again with M.O.C.A.H. This past art class rotation included many unique workshops, powerful times of sharing, and delicious lunches. The TAPH artist participants fully invested their talents and encouraged one another to explore new creative ideas. I have seen the power of vulnerability about our struggles, as well as our rejoicing in our celebrations. The class began as a group of people and ended as a family. Some of the common themes expressed in the student’s work included joy, love and life, possibility, and faith. The class participated in multiple life-giving workshops including watercolor with Joe Synan, collage with Robert Hodge, adornments from recycled objects at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, and silk painting with guest artist Deb Gavron. The artist participants described their experience as “great, enriching, and magical” Here are some quotes from the TAPH artist participants... “I thoroughly enjoyed the watercolor class. I was intimidated at first because I had never really painted before. Mr. Joe was very understanding. He showed us different techniques. He let us explore our own personal creativity. After making several paintings I felt more comfortable about the creative process. I really would like to do another watercolor workshop in the future. I hope that others will appreciate my paintings but more importantly, I enjoyed the process and I loved my work!” -K.B. (Watercolor Workshop with Joe Synan) “Today has been a wonderful and blessed day for me. A day of light and creativity. It felt so good as a therapeutic release. I just love this class. I am so excited about being in it. God has opened a new door for me! I had been praying for doors of opportunity to be opened, he did more than I asked! (Ephesians 3:20) I am so blessed and encouraged by this church, and the path and journey I am on. Praise God. Everyday becomes better and more blessed.” -P.J. (Watercolor Workshop with Joe Synan) “I enjoyed myself, it was my first time going and I thought it was going to be boring but I was amazed. I liked the cups exchange exhibit, that was neat. (Artist Michael Strand accepted “misfit cups” from visitors in exchange for his handmade cups as a part of his “Misfit Cup Liberation Project”) I love that we came here and I loved making arts and crafts. I love my wind chime that I made.” -A. (Visit to Houston Center for Contemporary Craft) “The collage workshop was very revealing. I was very intimidated by the large piece of paper. I fought through the fear. I had to overcome my own rigidity and resistance to trying new things. I seemed to be more concerned about doing the project right than allowing the process to unfold naturally. I felt that I used too many faces and words rather than images and symbols. I felt like my collage screamed rather than evoking something subtle and thoughtful. It was instructive in that it is a study in my own psychology and emotional life. I feel less fearful about the process and all of the work to cut out and organize the images but it was rewarding. I would definitely enjoy doing another collage class. The next time I would be more relaxed and playful. I would try to flow rather than force it. I wouldn’t barrel through it like a rodeo bull but cascade over the page like water. I would enjoy doing collage work again.” -K.B. (Collage Workshop with Robert Hodge) “I enjoyed meeting the instructor and hearing about her talent and experience working with silk colors/designs.” - T.D. (Silk Painting Workshop with Deb Gavron) Blog Reflection by Cynthia Javaras, Mission Year Intern with The Art Project, Houston 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. If you are interested in viewing any of Eunice's jewelry work and/or purchasing some items, contact us at lrouse@breadoflifeinc.org to schedule a viewing or find out places where her work can be purchased. 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). |
Lanecia A. RouseProject Manager of TAPH Archives
May 2015
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