Continuing with the article about the year-long “We Are You” art project with residents of Building Bridges Homeless Resource Center in Ukiah, only part of the story is about the three artists (Janet Rosen, Betty Lacy and myself, Laura Fogg) who spearheaded the project and supported residents to create their own art.
The other, most important, part is about the participants from the shelter, who were motivated to take a risky jump into unknown territory to tell their stories through the mostly unfamiliar avenue of creating art and showing it in public.
A few of the people we artists met at Building Bridges had some artistic background, but that was the exception. Most of the folks had never picked up a crayon since elementary school, and the notion of creating collages out of either paper or fabric was totally out of their comfort zone. Added to that level of uncertainty, the idea of having their creations displayed in public places was on the verge of terrifying. But people kept showing up, sitting down with us and taking the dive.
Calley Poulin at work. (Contributed)Of the approximately 50 people who participated in the project, most of the feedback was that doing art is something that makes them feel better and less stressed. Calley Poulin, who is busy completing her GED and taking other classes at Mendocino College, says “When I’m very stressed, art is a relaxing place for me to be, where I can get lost in a good place. I’ve done art before when I was younger. Once in grade school I did a drawing that was put on a plaque because people thought it was really good. I had forgotten what it felt like to express myself through art. I have more confidence now.”
Vanesha Charles echoes Calley’s new confidence. “The reason why I decided to do my particular piece is because I’m trying to focus on my spiritual journey and become a better person,” she says. “I made the four elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water because they are natural, and we need them to survive and be the best people we can be while we are on this planet. My piece reminds me that even though I’ve been through a lot of difficult things in life, I still have talent and natural abilities.”
Ray Benitez, already a talented artist in multiple mediums, jumped into the project without fear, but also ended up with an outcome that he didn’t expect. “For me,” Ray says, “it’s hard to express what I got out of this art project in words. It was positive, fun, pure joy. I felt like Picasso when I saw my piece up on the wall. My confidence boosted up.”
Braven Haynes with his artwork. (Contributed)Another experienced artist, Braven Haynes, sees doing art in a philosophical light. As he describes it, “Easily the most beautiful thing I’ve learned in my life is that it in itself is a masterpiece of art. The more you study life, the more incredible and beautiful things you experience, feel, and see in it, and the more you learn about you and what it all means to you. Translating that through the creation of art has been a blessing, and continuing to grow is the goal!”
One other unplanned aspect of the “We Are You” project was my own creation of small quilted portraits of some of the people who came to mean a great deal to me throughout the year.
Jacqueline (Jax) Shepherd was one of those people. “When I look at the portrait that was done of me,” she says, “I see sewed together a hopeful, happy, non-judgmental mom of my children. I see my kids in her presence and adaptations to that of life. She has wonder in a softness and opens her heart to love. I see depth, and not depression, but good and positive things coming to her future. She is relaxed in her life, newly fresh and healthy. A planned and practical women. A good guidance for her family and friends. A listener and a doer. The best thing she could have is for her to share with the world who she is and how she can be of help. A caring woman she is. I am that women. I am Jax.”
“We Are You” will have its opening celebration at Art Center Ukiah on First Friday, Sept. 5. The art center is located in the rear of the Corner Gallery at 201 S. State St. in Ukiah. The event is free and open to the public. Live harp music will be presented throughout the evening by Suni Smith.
This project was made possible by a grant from the Community Foundation. The artists would also like to thank Karen and Norm Rosen for sponsoring the show at Art Center Ukiah.
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