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.

To learn how to host a private paint party with The Art Project, Houston click HERE.

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.

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.

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!

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.