Illustration: “Jesus Washing Peter’s Feet” by Ford Maddox Brown,
Tate, London/Art Resource, NY
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Oklahoma City, OK 73106-6699
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Public Information Office
Connie Blaney, Public Information Director
405-523-3000May 1, 2008
For Immediate Release
Fresh stART Program Pilots in Oklahoma City
An opportunity for homeless adults to enjoy art has become a reality this spring in Oklahoma City co-sponsored by Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, and Homeless Alliance, Kim Woods, homeless coordinator for Catholic Charities, has announced.
The pilot program, fresh stART, an open visual arts studio each Friday afternoon, began in April with volunteer artists and social workers to assist adults interested in learning and participating in drawing, painting, and other mediums of art. The program is being offered at the WestTown Resource Center, 1729 NW 3rd Street in space provided by the Homeless Alliance. “This program is based on a successful program Art from the Streets started in 1991 in Austin, Texas, for the homeless population. We are modeling our pilot program on the same principles,” Woods said. She added, “Model programs which have provided a venue for expressive arts for homeless persons have had excellent results, offering a creative outlet, emotional therapy, connection to a peer group, life structure, skills transferable to employment, and dignity.”
For the program to be successful in Oklahoma City, involvement and participation are needed from the community, Jennifer Gooden, Homeless Alliance, and Kim Woods, noted.
“We are asking for volunteer artists to not necessarily teach art, but to model the behavior of a working artist,” they said. Gooden, Homeless Alliance program director, said the studio has also asked for needed art supplies and donations from members of the community.
Any person interested in helping provide art supplies or financial donations to the program or needs more information can contact Kim Woods at Catholic Charities, 523-3012, or email or Jennifer Gooden, Homeless Alliance, at 632-7431 or email .
Supplies can also be purchased for the studio online at www.dickblick.com/wishlist/. Search for a Wishlist—fresh stART. Donations can also be made by check to Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, (attention fresh stART) at 1501 N. Classen Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73106.