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!

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.

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!

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).

It's is not too late to purchase your ticket for the second annual FUNdraiser of the Bread of Life, Inc. for our therapeutic art and empowerment project, The Art Project, Houston!

Prescription: Paint 2012 is an interactive paint party FUNdraiser to support the work of the Bread of Life, Inc. to facilitate the mental healing and transition of men and women of the homeless community in Houston. 

Come dressed to create and leave with your very own masterpiece! 

Saturday, October 13
11am-2pm 
Knowles-Rowland Center for Youth
St. John's Downtown
2019 Crawford Street
Houston, Texas 77002
Sponsorship Opportunities are Still Available
Individual Tickets: $100
Event Chair: Anita Smith

“Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul” - Plato

The Art Project, Houston (TAPH) a project of the Bread of Life, Inc. provides a diversity of opportunities throughout the week for the men and women we serve through the After Dark Shelter to encounter art and tap into their creativity.

We believe that in these encounters people receive healing, joy and are empowered in ways that only creating and being supported in community can bring. Everyone deserves access to the beauty, inspiration and life that interacting with great art can bring, and we are dedicated to providing these encounters for the men and women we serve.

Thursday, September 27, at 6:30 pm, to celebrate the opening of there 25th Anniversary Season, Da Camera of Houston, led by Artistic and General Director, Sarah Rothenberg will brought a free performance to the men and women we serve at The Bread of Life. Sarah led the ensemble made up of three generations of artists, including an artist who performed on Da Camera's first season and several of his current and former students. 

They performed J.S. Bach's Keyboard Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, BWV 1052.  This was a great introduction to classical music for any listener, as well as a wonderful concert for classical music lovers.  In appreciation of the work that the Bread of Life does for the city of Houston, the musicians agreed to donate their services for this performance. 

It was a beautiful!  Over 100 men and women being served dinner by the Bread of Life filled the sanctuary of St. John's Downtown for the concert. The concert was a total of 20-minutes and after each piece the community affirmed the art and asked for an "encoure!"  Throughout the show you could feel a since of peace and aliveness with each beautiful note played.  The music was soothing and offered hope, as Da Camera of Houston offered our community their best.  

Below are a few quotes from attendees as they exited the concert:

"I have always wanted to go to a symphony. Ever since I was a kid. There is probably nothing like being in a symphony hall, but it was so good to finally hear some of a symphony." 

"Thank you. That was really nice, really nice."  (big smile on her face)

"Thank you. That was off the hook! It was medicine. Thank you."

We exist within the Bread of Life, Inc. to provide art encounters and experiences that facilitate the mental healing and empowerment of men and women of the downtown Houston homeless community. We are thankful for artists and organizations in the community who join us in living out this mission.  We hope, with Da Camera of Houston, that last night was the first collaboration of many.