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Mural Project Reflections from Artist, Kelly Brown

8/21/2014

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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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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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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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Reflection from TAPH Artist Partner, R.B.H. Yates

4/22/2014

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Thank You, Lovett Elementary Fine Arts for the Certificate of Artistic Excellence!!!

You are an Outstanding School.  It never occurred to me; that my views on Houston, Texas would have had such an impact.  This was an educational experience, which I enjoyed.  

I got the opportunity to listen and view students from a Houston Public magnet school orchestrate beautiful music.  After talking with the children, I learned they received their musical instrument at a fundamentally early age.  That's wonderful. 

Most of all, Lovett Elementary substantiated my beliefs about Houston.  All the necessary information and resources are here. 

St. John's Church Downtown, the Art Project of Houston and a host of various organizations have greatly enriched my life; since, I returned to my home town. I bank on Houston!  

Thank You Very Much!!!
R.B.H.Yates 
3rd April 15, 2014


Photography by John Bullock of Bullock Art

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Celebration & Exhibition with Our Friends at Lovett Fine Arts Elementary School

4/11/2014

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All of the artists from Lovett Fine Arts Elementary School, some of the TAPH artists who participated in the collaboration, Laura and Roy Nichols and other TAPH friends
The Lovett Fine Arts Elementary School and TAPH celebration and exhibition of "The Perfect Place in the Whole World Is..." at Lovett was a wonderful. One of the first grade artists told a parent volunteer while receiving cookies and juice at the reception, "This is the best day of my life!" 

It was a great day!

Each artist who participated received a certificate and recognition before family, friends and some of the faculty at Lovett Fine Arts Elementary School for their art contribution to the exhibition. Over the next couple of weeks we will be sharing reflections from the TAPH artists who shared in this special exhibition and moment in the life of our city. 

Special thanks to the following individuals who helped to create such a special moment:

Principal Dawn Thompson
Magnet Coordinator Cara Boynton
First Grade Teacher Liasons Jennifer Pedigo & Christine Hunt
First Grade Teachers Susanne Oliver, Carla Vlaskamp, Dana Nathan
Visual Arts Teacher Rickey Polidore
Friends from Re-Imagining Life Together, Laura and Roy Nichol
Photographer John Bullock 
Lovett Fine Arts Elementary School Orchestra
St. John's Staff Jessica Jones

All photographs taken by John Bullock
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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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Thanks 713 News for Sharing the Story

4/1/2014

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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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Art is for ALL: A Partnership to Bring More Creativity into the Lives of Houstonians

8/31/2013

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We are excited about our recent partnership with Hope Stone, Inc., offering three free art classes for individuals 14 years of age and older this fall at St. John's Downtown. Like Hope Stone, Inc., we believe art is for all and will continue to create opportunities for all persons to tap into their creativity. 


Here are a few words describing the fall classes and work Hope Stone, Inc. from Lydia Hance, Education Director of Hope Stone, Inc.:

This Fall, Hope Stone Inc. will bring arts education master classes to The Art Project Houston community. These classes will be drumming led by percussionist Kirk Suddreath, Spoken Word by slam poet “Outspoken Bean,” and Theater by actor Leslie Lenert. Everyone is welcome in these workshops, as Hope Stone’s mission is “Art for All.” 

Founded by executive and artistic director Jane Weiner in 1997, Hope Stone, Inc. provides outreach and support services in the Houston area through dance and performance art. Hope Stone is dedicated to improving the quality of life for Houstonians using art. At its inception, Hope Stone concentrated on areas of need such as community artistic performance, art outreach to children at risk, and community dance and movement classes.


In 2004, Hope Stone established Hope Stone Studio in a renovated loft in Houston’s historic Fourth Ward. From this 3500+ square foot space, Hope Stone offers year-round dance and movement classes for children and adults. 

Hope Stone Studio is also home to the nationally acclaimed Hope Stone Dance Company, a professional dance company, which has been recognized for its bold choreography, as well as cutting-edge modern dance performances. 

Our Hope Stone Kids program, created in 2002, to help meet the artistic and emotional needs of underserved and at-risk students ages 6-18. The program uses master teachers in dance, theater, music, photography, spoken word and yoga to empower and educate our youth. We are also pleased to offer young choreographers and dancers our new space grant program, HopeWorks.


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    Lanecia A. Rouse

    Project Manager of TAPH

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