With support from the California Arts Council, Shasta County Arts Council (SCAC) kicks off the Homeless Art Project (HAP) Thursday, Aug. 24. This new countywide project begins with a four-week Homeless Veterans Program from 10am-2pm on Thursdays – Aug. 24, Aug. 31, Sept. 7 and Sept. 14 at Old City Hall, 1313 Market Street.
HAP programs are open to all community members to participate, but will focus on documenting Homeless Veterans artworks, portraits and stories for further display in the Old City Hall Gallery and other various venues.
Shasta County Arts Council’s lead artist Howard ‘Luke’ Lucas will run the program – based on his PAINT FREE, BE FREE model – along with several local artists and retired teachers.
“We’re excited to receive a Local Impact grant,” Debra Lucero, executive director of SCAC said. “The idea behind a California Arts Council’s Local Impact grant is to provide greater access to the arts for individuals, families and communities by reducing barriers to arts participation or exploring innovative strategies for new or increased participation. This is one of those ideas.”
During the grant period, the HAP committee will host several four-week painting, photography and writing programs at various locations in town. Prints of the artwork will be available for purchase at art shows and on the website to benefit the artist directly. The next four-week program will focus on creative expression with homeless mothers and children.
SCAC finds creative ways to bring about positive change in our community through arts and culture.
Lucero explains, ‘In presenting “self” in creative and expressive ways, homeless may see themselves in a positive way, find self and social affirmations, motivation and perception of alternatives and greater personal and social well being. Additionally, the local public has an opportunity to perceive the diversity, humanity, and value of the homeless in our community … in other words, “ … put a human face on homeless individuals.’
For more information please email Hap.Redding@gmail.com or visit HAPRedding.org
