AFTS participates in and presents several art events in Austin every year, including its annual art show and sale every Fall. Proceeds from art sales, both in-person and via the AFTS online shop, go towards supporting the organization and the artists themselves. Moreover, your generous contributions enable Art from the Streets to provide a safe and encouraging environment for talented artists experiencing homelessness. (Note: If you are unable to contribute financially to this worthy organization, consider giving of your time by volunteering in their studio or during one of their art events.)
AFTS is doing its part, as it has for over three decades, to address the problem of homelessness in Austin. AFTS supports transient artists in the local community, but the benefits are more far-reaching than many might realize. Besides being a boon to the unhoused population in Austin in terms of providing them with art supplies and classes and ways to earn some income from their creativity, the organization also helps them make connections within the community so they can uncover helpful resources such as job leads and housing programs.
Homelessness in America is a solvable problem. A coordinated approach is needed, including developing and implementing assistance programs, making housing available, and providing other services such as more accessible physical and mental health care to transient people. Great strides are being made to address homelessness in Austin. From government programs to assistance from nonprofit organizations like AFTS, Austin is a great example of a community making concerted efforts to provide opportunities for people to have safe and stable housing. Join Art From the Streets as a community advocate for the homeless and as a supporter of the fine arts as a means to ending the crisis of homelessness in Texas’ capital city.
Art From the Streets is an Austin-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in 1991 to give transient people a way to develop as artists and to use their creativity to climb out of homelessness. Purchasing artwork supports the artists directly. Donating to our program helps us to offer a free Open Studio for the homeless and at risk.
OTHER RESOURCES CARITAS OF AUSTIN ECHO The National Alliance to End Homelessness |
The Crisis of Homelessness
Homelessness is a complex and pervasive issue that affects millions of people worldwide, transcending age, race, and gender. Those who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness face great challenges, from lack of access to necessities like food and healthcare to survival in harsh weather conditions. National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day serves as a poignant reminder of the lives lost to homelessness. It is a day to reflect on the systemic issues that lead to homelessness, such as unemployment, mental illness, substance abuse, and inadequate social services. It calls for action to address these root causes and provide support to those who are homeless as we remember the lost.
The Importance of Compassion for the Unhoused
Homeless individuals are often referred to as invisible members of society, going unnoticed and being ignored or marginalized. On December 21st, we are called to show compassion to them, acknowledging their humanity, engaging in conversations, and offering a helping hand when possible. Compassion goes a long way in restoring hope and dignity to the unhoused in our communities.
Supporting Organizations
National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day is also an opportunity to highlight people who work tirelessly to combat homelessness. Numerous shelters, nonprofits, and community groups are dedicated to providing food, shelter, medical care, and rehabilitation services to the unhoused. Because these organizations tend to rely on the support of volunteers and donors to make a difference, this day is a good time to contribute in any way you can. Consider supporting local organizations that provide critical support to those in need.
To help the homeless population in the Austin, Texas area, please consider reaching out to Art From the Streets. Why You Should Support a Fine Arts Nonprofit Organization Like Art From the Streets |
National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day reminds us of the importance of and need for empathy and compassion for the unhoused in our society. This December, remember those who have no place to call home and answer the call to contribute towards a future where homelessness is a thing of the past.
Art From the Streets is an Austin-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in 1991 to give transient people a way to develop as artists and to use their creativity to climb out of homelessness. Purchasing artwork supports the artists directly. Donating to our program helps us to offer a free Open Studio for the homeless and at risk.
The 2023 Austin Studio Tour is slated as “an occasion to honor Austin artists, providing the public with fresh and contemporary avenues to appreciate art and gain insight into the creative processes of artists throughout [the] city.” Presented by Big Medium, an artist-run, grassroots, nonprofit organization that “supports artists through equitable and inclusive platforms to explore their practice and advance their careers,” the studio tour’s theme this year is inspired by a taro cards design aesthetic.
The 2023 Austin Studio Tour is a citywide event being presented on Saturday and Sunday of the first three weekends of November, from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day. Art From the Streets will be participating during the weekends of November 11-12 and 18-19. Number 348 on the tour, artwork created by Art From the Streets member artists will be displayed at their gallery at Canopy, located at 916 Springdale Rd Bldg 2, #105 in East Austin. (Note: Artwork on display for this exhibit is available for purchase, as is other art created by Art From the Streets member artists. Speak with one of the organization’s representatives to find out how you can purchase a piece or two to add to your personal art collection.)
The 2023 Austin Studio Tour is free and open to the public. If you will be in the Austin area during either of these weekends, consider taking advantage of the opportunity to experience art in Texas’ capital city through the self-guided studio tour, and visit Art From the Streets and learn more about their mission to provide a safe space for transient artists and those at risk of losing their homes to create art and forge a pathway out of homelessness.
READ ALSO: Art From the Streets: Who We Are and Why We Matter |
Do you want to experience art in the city of Austin and will be present the first weekend of November? If so, consider checking out the Travis Heights area for a unique community art experience: the 21st Annual Travis Heights Art Trail. Art From the Streets is excited to announce that they will once again be a participating nonprofit organization in the Travis Heights Art Trail this year!
The 21st Annual Travis Heights Art Trail, a walkable tour of the beautiful and historic Travis Heights area in Austin, is scheduled for November 4-5, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM both days. This event is the only one of its kind in that the participating artists work together to create and present the neighborhood-wide art show each year. It will feature arts & crafts from 35+ Austin artists, plus creations from artists associated with nonprofits including Art From the Streets and Adventures Academy. It will also feature the work of young artists, on display at various locations along the trail. As an added treat, Jason Molin, a local singer/songwriter will be playing for the public this year at his home on Sunset Lane.
A City of Austin Cultural Arts event, the Travis Heights Art Trail began in 2002 and is now a 501(c)(3) non-profit by way of its efforts to support artists and artmaking in Texas’s capital city.
Stroll through historic Travis Heights, enjoy and purchase arts and crafts that support local artists. If you can’t make it to Austin to attend the Travis Heights Art Trail event in person, please visit the Travis Heights Art Gallery online where you can check out the artwork and purchase items from participating artists at any time!
Visit travisheightsarttrail.org to download this map of the 2023 Travis Heights Art Trail locations. |
Travis Heights is located between Riverside Drive and Live Oak Street, and I-35 and Congress Avenue, just south of the Colorado River. Find Art From the Streets at Christ Lutheran Church, 300 E Monroe Street (#17 on the map).
All Art From the Streets (AFTS) artwork will be available for purchase at their Annual Annual Art Show and Sale--over 2,000 original pieces of artwork are being shown by over 75 unhoused artists served by AFTS. Guests to the exhibit will be able to visit and interact with each of the artists at their booths, where their artwork is on display, and make purchases to add to their personal collections.
Because focusing on housing alone does not achieve other equally important goals that are relevant and motivating to improving and sustaining a quality of life, AFTS is dedicated to helping the homeless and those at risk of homelessness to make their way to self-determination through active participation in the process. AFTS provides opportunities for this by opening the doors of their art studio so the unhoused have time, space, and materials to create, as well as opportunities to sell their artworks.
The AFTS Annual Art Show and Sale offers a vibrant look into this past innovative year for the AFTS artists and the organization itself. An amazing body of work will be on display during this celebration of 31 years of creative support and outreach from AFTS. By attending this show, guests will have an impact on the transient artists participating in the event. Seeing how people respond to their art is motivating to Austin’s unhoused artists. “When you buy my art you make me feel that what I do is just as important as what you do,” says one artist named Layle, on the AFTS Podcast. Further, the sale of their artworks supports them as they climb out of homelessness, as 95% of each purchase goes directly back to the artist who created the piece of art.
The Art From The Streets Annual Show and Sale is scheduled for October 21-22, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. It will be held at the Blue Genie Art Bazaar at 6100 Airport Blvd, Suite C, in Austin. While parking and entry to the event are free, all donations are welcome and appreciated ($5.00 suggested at the door). Registration is not required to enter the event but is suggested; to register, visit the Art From the Streets event announcement on Eventbrite.
WHAT ARE THE STAGES OF HOMELESSNESS?
There are different stages of homelessness caused by a wide range of life events and experiences, from poverty to unemployment to disability, to family disruptions. It is an issue for people from all walks of life, and of every age and stage. People can become at-risk and suffer precarious housing conditions, experience temporary sheltered homelessness, or even end up completely unsheltered and homeless.
At-risk of Homelessness
The journey into homelessness often begins when people find themselves in precarious housing situations. In this first stage of homelessness, people are usually facing unstable living conditions, struggling to afford rent, utilities, and other basic necessities. These individuals may be living paycheck to paycheck. Being at risk of becoming homeless in this way is marked by a lack of security, as individuals are unable to establish a stable living environment while constantly on the brink of financial trouble.
Temporary Sheltered Homelessness
As precarious housing situations worsen, individuals often progress into more severe stages of homelessness. Sheltered homelessness usually follows, including both episodic and transitional homelessness. This stage involves people seeking temporary refuge in shelters, emergency housing, or transitional housing facilities. Unfortunately, these temporary options often present additional challenges (e.g., overcrowding, limited privacy, etc.), especially for those struggling in other ways (e.g., facing mental health issues, substance abuse problems, traumatic experiences, etc.).
Unsheltered Homelessness
The most visible stage of homelessness is unsheltered homelessness, where people live on the streets in makeshift encampments or other public spaces. Unsheltered homelessness exposes individuals to everything from extreme weather conditions and physical safety risks to a lack of access to basic hygiene facilities and medical care. The reasons for unsheltered homelessness vary widely, including job loss, mental illness, addiction, domestic violence, and a lack of affordable housing options.
COMBATING HOMELESSNESS
Solving homelessness requires a compassionate, comprehensive approach that connects transient people with essential services and that provides access to homelessness assistance programs for help transitioning into more stable living situations. But with homelessness ever on the rise, tackling it requires greater collaboration between government entities, communities, and nonprofits to create the kind of safety net that prevents individuals from falling into and/or staying in homelessness.
One nonprofit organization doing its part in Austin, Texas is Art From the Streets. By providing a safe and encouraging environment for artistic expression, Art From the Streets fosters a culture of empathy and understanding that helps to break down stigmas associated with homelessness, encouraging transient individuals to rebuild their lives through art.
OTHER RESOURCES State of Homelessness: 2023 Edition, National Alliance to End Homelessness https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/homelessness-statistics/state-of-homelessness/ Definitions of Homelessness, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration https://soarworks.samhsa.gov/article/definitions-of-homelessness The Salvation Army Texas Division: Housing Programs |
Art serves as a powerful way to transcend boundaries, evoke emotions, and tell stories. Curating art is an intricate process that involves selecting, organizing, arranging, and presenting artworks in a way that conveys a meaningful message when displayed together. Collecting art allows artists and art enthusiasts to connect through the narrative presented.
Curating art requires a discerning eye, a deep understanding of artistic styles, and an appreciation of the messages behind each piece. The process of curating art begins with the careful selection of artworks that resonate with a central theme. This theme can range from a particular art movement to a broader societal issue, creating a cohesive narrative that guides the audience through the exhibition.
At the heart of curating is collecting. Art collectors passionately seek out and acquire artworks, amassing pieces to build a meaningful collection that reflects the collector in one or more ways--be it personality, personal values, etc. Collectors often form distinct connections with artists, attending art exhibitions and gallery shows, as well as visiting artist studios. They do this as a way to gain greater insight into artists’ creative processes and enrich their understanding of the art itself.
Curating art is a labor of love that can bridge a gap between an artist’s creativity and his or her audience’s engagement with the art piece(s) created. Avid art enthusiasts in the Austin, Texas area might enjoy viewing and purchasing pieces created by the artists of Art From the Streets to add to their curated collections. Art From the Streets is an arts nonprofit organization that provides a safe and encouraging environment for transient artists and those at risk of homelessness to explore their creativity and make art. Art From the Streets provides their services with a mission that includes an understanding that “focusing on housing alone does not achieve other equally important goals that are relevant and motivating to improving and sustaining a quality of life”.
Volunteers with Art From the Streets connect directly with the underserved community in the capital city, through art. Each volunteer supports the Art From the Streets program as needed; some do so through studio facilitation, helping with gallery installations, workshop instruction, community building, etc. By seeing the need and stepping up within the Art From the Streets organization, volunteers are making a real difference in the lives of the artists served. Art lovers in Austin are invited to attend the Art From the Streets Volunteer Curation Gallery Show on September 2, 2023, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. If you miss that chance, don’t worry: there is another opportunity ahead on September 21, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Note: Art From the Streets holds gallery shows on most first Saturdays of each month, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Art From the Streets is an Austin-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1991 to give transient people a way to develop as artists and use their creativity to climb out of homelessness. Purchasing artwork supports the artists directly. Donating to our program helps us to offer a free Open Studio for the homeless and at-risk.
Art lovers can visit galleries and museums to appreciate great artwork, but many enjoy having pieces at home and in their workplaces as well. For many people, collecting fine art is more than just a fun hobby; it is an experience that invites art enthusiasts to immerse themselves in a world of timeless beauty, culture, and history. The allure of fine art lies not only in the aesthetic appeal of the pieces but also in the stories each piece tells and the emotions each evokes in the viewer. Whether you're a seasoned collector or an art lover new to collecting, the experience of acquiring and appreciating fine art is undeniably intriguing and enthralling.
One of the most captivating aspects of collecting pieces of art is the opportunity to own several different pieces of history. Through their collections, fine art fanatics can connect with various eras, cultures, and movements; this allows them to develop a deeper understanding of the diversity and evolution of society around the world over time. Art also serves as a conduit for emotion and introspection for many collectors. Each piece in a collection tends to resonate with its owner on a personal level, offering a unique and intimate connection to some feeling, memory, or personal experience.
If you are both an art collector and a business owner, Art From the Streets (AFTS) has some magic up its sleeve for you! The newest initiative from the Austin, Texas-based non-profit organization is the AFTS Collectors Program. This program supports the individual artists of AFTS while giving business owners the opportunity to enhance their workspaces with beautiful works of art. They offer original artwork and framed prints for collectors; you can choose from a diverse selection to find something that appeals to your specific tastes and preferences. You and other art-collecting business owners will enjoy extraordinary art while also contributing to the growth of AFTS and its artists.
The Mission of Art From the Streets Art From the Streets provides assistance to local artists experiencing homelessness by providing them with a safe and nurturing environment where they can produce art. The organization helps each artist by encouraging autonomy and connection as they build their artistic skills. |
The process of collecting fine art can be both intellectually stimulating and emotionally rewarding. Having art in both your home and workspaces offers many potential benefits, from boosting creativity and out-of-the-box thinking to inspiring employees to creating a positive and welcoming environment. With the AFTS Collectors Program, you can demonstrate your commitment to supporting the arts and local artists and making a direct positive impact in your community. AFTS is excited to bring this wonderful program to art lovers like you who want to surround themselves with beauty at home and at work. If you are an art lover looking to add to your collection to display in at your business premises, consider purchasing a piece through the AFTS Collectors Program, to support Art From the Streets.
The mission of Art From the Streets is to provide a safe and encouraging environment in which the positive spirit and creativity of people experiencing homelessness and at-risk people are nurtured through their own artistic expression. These artistic endeavors form a pathway to self- determination by means of the sense of achievement, social connections, and income generated through the pursuit of their art.
For the past three decades, Art From the Streets, an Austin-based non-profit organization, has been providing support for people experiencing homelessness. Our free open art studio offers a place for our artists to create and showcase their works, while also providing enrichment opportunities, art shows, and sales throughout the year. At our new studio in Canopy Austin, we are able to work directly with a community of artists, gallerists, and other creative types. As a result, our artists have experienced an even greater sense of security, place of belonging, collaborative effort, and quality of work.
AFTS fosters an environment for our artists to improve their well-being and independence while building connections within a broader positive community — a community that can uncover resources such as jobs, housing, and holistic support networks.
About Partnership:
Partnership with Integral Care St. John’s Clinic in the past and have created murals in the past. STG Design (https://stgdesign.com/) reached out because of our relationship with Integral Care
Through our relationship with Integral Care, STG Design reached out to us about this very special opportunity.
STG Design’s idea was to have some sort of piece of art on each floor for the refurbished Integral Care health care facility. They wanted to collaborate with AFTS. We worked together to determine what exactly this project would be and determine that we would create murals on the entryway of each floor for the building.
Every floor is a different department in the healthcare facility. So Integral Care suggested themes for each of the floors.
We decided to bring in professional Austin muralists to work with our artists to design a mural for each floor. Each professional artist was paired with our AFTS artists and they began to collaborate on what each floor would look like. Over the course of three months these artists worked together to create a 4 x 6 foot finalized art piece that was then digitized by Agave Prints and then printed as a wallpaper product and installed by Marco Fine Arts.
The murals were unveiled 7/12/23 to the public!
MURALS
1st Floor
Theme - Community
Lobby Floor
Muralist
J Muzacz
Instagram - jmuzacz
AFTS Artist
Damian Todd
Cathy Haynes
Title
Growing Community
2nd Floor
Theme - Healing
Adult Healthcare
Muralist
Luis Angulo
Instagram - uloang
AFTS Artist
Layle Murray
John Bossart
Title
Life’s Journey
3rd Floor
Theme - Growth & Play
Childrens Healthcare
Muralist
Candy Yu Yen Kuo
Instagram- itscandykuo
AFTS Artist
Tom Jett
Synethia Kelly
Title
Joy Blooms
4th Floor
Theme - East Austin Community
Integral Care Operations
Muralist
Wade Thompson
Instagram - @wadeindeed
AFTS Artist
Jefferson Bright
Megan Reneè Maurice
Title
Home Grown
5th Floor
Theme - Support
Muralist
Fabian Rey Donate
Instagram - fabianrey
AFTS Artist
Jesùs Polanco
Julian Clay
Title
Answer The Call
Collaborators -
Agave Print- https://www.agaveprint.com/
Marco Fine Arts - https://marcofinearts.com/home/
https://stgdesign.com/
We are an architecture, interior design, and master planning firm and we design places and spaces ranging from communities and campuses to labs and offices. We design for clients in a wide range of industries, from corporate and commercial to housing and hospitality, education and healthcare to science and technology. With primary offices in Austin and Nashville, a virtual team in Houston, and remote workers in other strategic geographic locations, we work seamlessly across the country and globe.]]>WHAT IS ART THERAPY?
The therapeutic nature of art has been noted for years. In fact, research studies have shown that art encourages creative thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as helping to relieve stress and anxiety. “One small past study of 39 participants found that just 45 minutes of art-making (including using collage materials, modeling clay, or markers) reduced cortisol levels (a stress hormone) in 75 percent of people,” according to information in “6 Potential Health Benefits of Art Therapy” from Everyday Health. Because art has been proven to be so positively impactful in people’s lives, an entire professional discipline has developed to help people use art as therapy.
Defining Art Therapy According to the American Art Therapy Association (AATA), “Art Therapy is an integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship.” |
BENEFITS OF ART THERAPY
There are so many benefits of art therapy. First of all, art therapy provides a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals to express themselves freely through various artistic mediums. It allows them to channel their emotions, thoughts, and experiences in ways that words alone may not capture.
Engaging in the creative process of art-making has been found to promote emotional healing. Art therapy helps individuals explore and process difficult emotions such as grief, trauma, anxiety, or depression. By externalizing these emotions through art, individuals can gain distance that enables them to examine and work through their emotions more effectively.
Art therapy also encourages mindfulness and relaxation, inspiring people to be present in the moment and focus their attention on the creative process. It helps reduce stress and promote relaxation in a way that is grounding and fosters a sense of calmness and tranquility.
Holistic healing and wellness involve the integration of mind, body, and spirit; and art therapy recognizes this interconnectedness. Through the creative process during art therapy, individuals engage in a holistic approach to their healing, so they can find balance within themselves. By unlocking self-expression, promoting emotional healing, cultivating mindfulness, and integrating mind, body, and spirit, art therapy provides a powerful tool for achieving holistic wellness. Whether you're an artist or a novice, the creative process in art therapy can open doors to new possibilities and a deeper connection with oneself.
ART THERAPY FOR THE HOMELESS
Art therapy has been shown to have a positive impact on homeless and transient populations, offering a beacon of hope and support amidst their challenging circumstances. Engaging in art therapy provides an opportunity for self-expression and empowerment for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. It often helps homeless individuals develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their experiences while providing opportunities for social connection. Art therapy has the potential to not only address emotional and psychological well-being but also to provide a channel for creative skills development, potentially leading to increased self-sufficiency and future employment opportunities.
Art From the Streets (AFTS) serves homeless and at-risk people in the Austin, Texas area and is excited to introduce Art Therapy for its artists this summer! The introduction of an Art Therapy program shows a commitment to holistic healing and wellness by way of incorporating art as a therapeutic tool. Christina Calderon, a licensed Art Therapist who has undergone specialized training and education in both art and psychology, is spearheading this program for AFTS. “My approach to psychotherapy is holistic, intuitive, and integrative. I specialize in art therapy and other expressive therapies encouraging self-exploration through artistic processes such as drawing, painting, writing, and body movement,” she states. This initiative has the potential to make a positive impact on the lives of many of the unhoused; it is another opportunity for them to benefit from the healing power of art.
Art From the Streets is an Austin-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1991 to give transient people a way to develop as artists and use their creativity to climb out of homelessness. Purchasing artwork supports the artists directly. Donating to our program helps us to offer a free Open Studio for the homeless and at-risk.
]]>An Austin Art Event
On July 1 and August 5, 2023, Art From the Streets and Eli Durst are joining forces to conduct a workshop focused on cameraless photography and present a follow-on exhibit of artwork from the workshop. The artwork that will be on display for the exhibit, curated by Mr. Durst, will be available for purchase.
Why You Should Support a Fine Arts Nonprofit Organization Like Art From the Streets Art From the Streets and other fine arts nonprofits creatively and innovatively add to the communities in which they operate, benefitting the people they serve. Art From the Streets increases access to art and empowers unhoused and at-risk artists in Austin to use their creativity to leave homelessness behind and become self-supporting members of society. |
Cameraless photography is the process of manipulating light, radiation, and/or chemicals to leave an impression on photo-sensitive paper. There are several ways of making cameraless images, such as radiographs, luminograms, and chemigrams; but the most common technique of cameraless photography is arguably the photogram. Photograms are images made by the contact of objects on surfaces that are sensitive to light. They are generally unique and reproduce actual-size images of the objects that block light from the photo-sensitive surfaces. During Mr. Durst’s workshop, he will discuss in more depth the cameraless approach to creating photographic images.
Taking Pictures from Past to Present 1800 Thomas Wedgwood and his buddy Humphry Davy invented, sort of by accident, the photogram. The images were the first actually documented attempts at permanent imagery, though the attempt failed. Gotta start somewhere. A photogram is kind of like a photograph but not quite. Partially because there’s no camera involved, but instead an image is created by placing an object on light-sensitive paper and exposing it, leaving a negative shadow of the object. Hence the reason the technique is also referred to as cameraless photography. |
Eli Durst: About the Artist
Born and raised in Austin, Eli Durst studied American literature and history at Wesleyan University before receiving his MFA from the Yale School of Art in 2016. An award-winning visual artist, his work blends the languages of conceptual and documentary photography, creating open-ended and ambiguous narratives. He teaches photography at The University of Texas. (For more information about Mr. Durst, visit his website.)
COUNTING THE HOMELESS IN AUSTIN
The Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) conducts a “Point in Time” count of people experiencing homelessness in Austin and Travis County every year. ECHO’s most recent report from late January shows more than 2,300 people experiencing homelessness live in Austin. Of the people counted, 1,266 were unsheltered and 1,108 were in transitional housing, with more people found in green spaces such as city parks, nature preserves, and greenbelts this year. The percentage of the people counted who were found in green spaces shot up to 13.6% this year, from 5.2% in 2020 when the last count was done. (Note: the “Point in Time” count was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.) Some positive news from the ECHO report is that more people have exited homelessness to permanent housing in 2023 than in any previous year.
HOUSING FOR THE HOMELESS IN AUSTIN
One step the City of Austin is taking is increasing bed space at two local shelters. The goal is to create greater capacity by converting rooms from single to double occupancy at the city’s Northbridge and Southbridge shelters. The emergency shelter move will provide 130 extra beds in the coming weeks, with some new beds available since mid-June.
The City of Austin has also approved a 12-month lease agreement for the former Salvation Army Downtown Shelter space, to serve 150 homeless people nightly. Urban Alchemy, a California-based non-profit organization that operates shelters across the country, including the City’s Austin Resource Center for the Homeless or ARCH, has been contracted to operate the shelter. The lease starts July 1, 2023.
Austin also plans to use the city-owned Marshalling Yard as a temporary shelter. Located near the airport, it will be used for about a year while other additional housing is built to address the problem. It will provide up to 300 emergency beds as the city works to increase capacity in permanent supportive housing.
For other ways to help the homeless in Austin, check out Do512’s article, |
OTHER WAYS TO HELP UNHOUSED AUSTINITES
Other efforts are also underway to help the unhoused population in Austin. While shelters are being expanded and new housing is being built throughout the city of Austin to get people off the streets, other programs and forms of support for the homeless population are also helping to reduce and eliminate housing insecurity. Art From the Streets, for example, continues to provide their services with the understanding that “focusing on housing alone does not achieve other equally important goals that are relevant and motivating to improving and sustaining a quality of life”. The organization supports local transient artists by encouraging them to exercise personal autonomy while developing their artistic skills, side by side with other members of the community, to uncover helpful resources such as job and housing leads.
The overarching benefit of volunteerism and community service on its face is the good that’s done by serving others; plus, it feels good. It provides the opportunity to see things from other points of view, such that people will be able to better appreciate diverse human situations and use them to inform their own perspectives.
Another benefit of volunteering is the development of skills and habits that can help people become contributing members of society. There is a great advantage in practicing the leadership, problem-solving, time management, and communication skills that are part and parcel of volunteerism; it can be the key to future success.
Spending time volunteering also can help people make valuable connections in the community. Networking in this way is a great benefit because it allows people to meet and work with others in the “real world” to make an immediate difference in the world.
READ ALSO: Why You Should Support a Fine Arts Nonprofit Organization Like Art From the Streets |
There are also benefits of volunteering and community service in terms of health and wellness. People don’t typically think about this, but volunteering can be very good for one's physical and mental health. Because volunteer endeavors and community service projects often involve physical activity (e.g., clean-up of public green spaces, etc.), they result in things like improved cardiovascular health and lower blood pressure for many people. Mental health benefits of volunteering often include a decrease in overall stress and anxiety as well.
There are numerous volunteering opportunities in Austin, TX, whether you are interested in supporting literacy initiatives, serving in soup kitchens, or helping the homeless. For example, one of the top Austin nonprofits helping the homeless is Art from the Streets. This partnership of concerned community members gives people living in homelessness a way to develop as artists, offering a safe location for them to create and opportunities to display and sell their artworks at the organization’s annual art show, as well as online. Run by a volunteer board of directors and other volunteer supporters, Art From the Streets provides these transient artists access to a pathway to self-determination by means of the sense of achievement, social connections, and income generated through the pursuit of their art. For more information about ways you can help, reach out to the Art From the Streets team to learn more.
Art From the Streets is an Austin, Texas-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in 1991 to give transient people a way to develop as artists and to use their creativity to climb out of homelessness. Purchasing artwork supports the artists directly. Donating to our program helps us to offer a free Open Studio for the homeless and at-risk.
]]>Celebrations of mothers and motherhood can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who held festivals to honor goddesses who they revered as mother figures. Over time, those celebrations developed into the modern holiday of Mother’s Day that we celebrate today. Here are some ways to honor and celebrate your mom and the other mother figures in your life this year:
If you are looking for unique gifts from Austin, Texas, consider helping Austin's homeless when you choose your Mother’s Day art gifts from the creative works of transient artists at Art From the Streets. Art From the Streets counts on support from people like you to fulfill their mission to provide a safe and encouraging environment in which the positive spirit and creativity for those experiencing homelessness are nurtured through their own artistic expression.
Why You Should Support a Fine Arts Nonprofit Organization Like Art From the Streets |
Art From the Streets is an Austin-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in 1991 to give transient people a way to develop as artists and to use their creativity to climb out of homelessness. Purchasing artwork supports the artists directly. Donating to our program helps us to offer a free Open Studio for the homeless and at-risk.
]]>by Erika Mehlhaff
World Art Day is on April 15, 2023. It is a day reserved to celebrate the fine arts and promote creativity across the globe. This day was set aside to help reinforce the relationship between art and society and encourage greater awareness of art and the diversity of creative expression. Austin, Texas is known as a world art hub and, as such, has a lot of creative offerings for people who want to observe the day in the local community.
AUSTIN ART EXHIBITS AND EVENTS
There are tons of art exhibits in the Texas capital worth exploring. To celebrate World Art Day this year you can explore the Art in Public Places throughout Austin. Or check out a local art fair or festival. You also can take some time to visit one of the many world-class art museums in the city. From the Blanton Museum to the Harry Ransom Center to The ContemporAry Austin, there are museums with exhibits for every art lover to enjoy! You might also consider visiting open studios and galleries around the city, including the creative space of Art From the Streets.
Art From the Streets (AFTS) is a local non-profit organization that offers a place for homeless and at-risk artists to create art in a safe and nurturing environment. The organization encourages Austin’s transient artists to express their creativity and share their love of art with one another and the wider community; here, they can cultivate their artistic skills with an eye toward using their talents to find a way out of homelessness--AFTS has been providing creative refuge to Austin’s homeless artist community for over three decades with a mission to help them earn an income from their work. The organization is located in East Austin, in the Canopy community of artists, gallerists, and other creatives.
HELP AUSTIN'S HOMELESS ARTISTS
Homelessness is a huge problem across the nation, including in Austin. According to data from the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO), “at least 5,044 people experienced homelessness in Austin or Travis County on a single day in February 2023 [which] combines both unsheltered homelessness (people sleeping in tents, cars, abandoned buildings, and other places not meant to live in) and sheltered homelessness (emergency shelter, transitional housing, and other short-term indoor settings).” AFTS continues to do what it can to help combat homelessness, with the understanding that “focusing on housing alone does not achieve other equally important goals that are relevant and motivating to improving and sustaining a quality of life” and that they can create change through art. If you have wondered how to help Austin’s homeless and where to buy art in Austin, AFTS is an excellent place to start. You can also help by supporting AFTS through donations.
On World Art Day, many people take part in creative activities, from making art in workshops and classes to learning about art from presentations and exhibitions. There are so many ways for people to enjoy art in Austin--there is truly something for everyone!
Art From the Streets is an Austin-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in 1991 to give transient people a way to develop as artists and to use their creativity to climb out of homelessness. Purchasing artwork supports the artists directly. Donating to our program helps us to offer a free Open Studio for the homeless and at-risk.
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To that end, Art From the Streets presents the 2023 Give Art a Home Gala! To fulfill the AFTS mission, a great deal of funding is needed--AFTS depends on the generosity of the community to be able to serve the local homeless population. The Give Art a Home Gala is an annual fundraising event hosted by AFTS. The 2023 event will be taking place on Wednesday, April 12th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at The Cathedral, located at 2403 East 16th Street. This year’s goal is to raise $50,000 for critical operating expenses and the future growth of the AFTS program. The public is invited to join members of the AFTS team and others who are committed to supporting transient artists in Austin as they pursue a better quality of life by way of their own creative expression.
AFTS knows the value of art. They provide opportunities for artists experiencing homelessness to create and showcase their work by hosting workshops, art shows, and sales throughout each year. They do so at their studio at Canopy Austin, a community of artists, gallerists, and other creatives that they have called home since 2021. The organization has helped countless people over the years to grow as artists, but also to experience a greater sense of security, improved physical and mental wellness, and increased self-confidence. The team at AFTS encourages the artists to build connections through their art, so they can find and use resources to gain employment, secure housing, and get other support in an effort to become independent, contributing members of the local art community and the community as a whole. Please consider attending the 2023 Give Art a Home Gala, to learn more and to participate in a live auction of collaborative artworks between the artists of AFTS and professional local artists. If you cannot attend but still would like to contribute to the cause, donations of time and treasure are always welcome and appreciated.
Are you considering lending your support to Art From the Streets, but want more information about the organization and its mission? To learn more, check out “Why You Should Support a Fine Arts Nonprofit Organization Like Art From the Streets” on the official AFTS blog! |
There are many art events in Austin. If you are an art lover, you can always find a gallery show or exhibit somewhere in the city. One art event that you should check out is Open Canopy. Open Canopy events are held on the first Saturday of every month from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Canopy, a creative community in East Austin.
One of the participants in Open Canopy is Art From the Streets. Art From the Streets is one of the Austin nonprofits helping homeless and at-risk creatives. The organization has been providing creative refuge to Austin’s homeless artist community for over three decades; it is on a mission to help them build their creativity and earn an income from their work.
During Open Canopy events, Art From the Streets opens its doors to the public for a gallery show that celebrates artists experiencing homelessness. They invite the public to experience art created by people who might not otherwise be able to share their work due to their living situation and lack of basic resources.
Helping Austin’s Homeless Artists Texas is a mecca for artists, and the capital city of Austin is an epicenter of cultural vibrancy and creativity. Embedded in the fabric of the city, Art From the Streets provides a space for transient artists “to express themselves through art as a step towards creating purpose and stability in their lives [and] encourages them to use their creativity to find a way out of homelessness through the sale of their work.” |
Open Canopy welcomes visitors into the studios and galleries of Canopy creatives, encouraging discourse between art lovers and the artists themselves. Visitors learn from the artists about their work and creative processes and are encouraged to engage directly with the art, in a more personal way than they might have had the opportunity to do at other times.
The artwork on display at Open Canopy is for sale; visitors are welcome to purchase existing pieces or inquire about commissioning pieces from any of the artists participating in the event, including those from Art From the Streets. So, if you are interested in viewing new art and possibly adding to your collection, consider spending the first Saturday of the month with Art From the Streets and the other artists of Canopy.
LEAPS, which stands for Leadership, Education, and Public Service, is a leadership development program for City of Austin employees. Employees who participate in the LEAPS program are trained in key areas of leadership, which help them to create and carry out public service projects. They develop a wide variety of service projects, from educational collaborations to physical and mental health interventions to homelessness advocacy and so much more. AFTS is honored to have the City of Austin on board as curators of the PEOPLE’S SHOW.
THE ART FROM THE STREETS MISSION The mission of Art From the Streets is to provide a safe and encouraging environment in which the positive spirit and creativity for those experiencing homelessness are nurtured through their own artistic expression. These artistic endeavors form a pathway to self-determination by means of the sense of achievement, social connections, and income generated through the pursuit of their art. |
If you missed the first day of the Art From the Streets PEOPLE’S SHOW, don’t worry: there is one more chance to check it out during Open Canopy! Visit the Art From the Streets Gallery on April 1, 2023, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Note that the original art on display is available for purchase; there are pieces available for anyone and everyone, regardless of budget. Every purchase is appreciated because much of the earnings from the sale of the artwork will go directly to the artists themselves--95% of sales profits! And not only do the transient artists served by AFTS receive some financial profits, but they also get support in terms of cultivating their artistic skills and growing in their expressiveness, while also developing a greater sense of stability. (If you don’t happen to see anything you’d like to add to your personal art collection at the PEOPLE’S SHOW, you can always check out the work of AFTS artists for sale online! Simply click HERE to be directed to the AFTS online shop, to purchase gift cards, prints, clothing and housewares, and other merchandise!)
Art From the Streets uses art for change in the local community. Want to learn more about this non-profit organization? Head to the official website and blog of AFTS! You can start here: |
Austin, Texas is a hub of creativity. The capital city of the Lone Star State, Austin is home to countless artists. Strictly speaking, though, some of the city’s finest artmakers don’t actually have homes to call their own. Enter Art From the Streets.
Art From the Streets uses art for change in the local community. Art From the Streets (AFTS) is a non-profit organization that provides assistance to local artists experiencing homelessness. The Austin organization offers transient artists support and a safe and nurturing environment where they can focus on art.
]]>by Erika Mehlhaff
Austin, Texas is a hub of creativity. The capital city of the Lone Star State, Austin is home to countless artists. Strictly speaking, though, some of the city’s finest artmakers don’t actually have homes to call their own. Enter Art From the Streets.
Art From the Streets uses art for change in the local community. Art From the Streets (AFTS) is a non-profit organization that provides assistance to local artists experiencing homelessness. The Austin organization offers transient artists support and a safe and nurturing environment where they can focus on art.
Are you interested in supporting Art From the Streets with your time? If so, please complete a Volunteer Registration Form, and a representative from the organization will contact you about ways you can help! |
But AFTS does not encourage the people it serves to create art solely for art’s sake; they do so much more than that. The AFTS organization provides a space for these homeless and at-risk creatives to express themselves through art as a step towards creating purpose and stability in their lives. It encourages them to use their creativity to find a way out of homelessness through the sale of their work.
AFTS participates in and presents several art events in Austin every year. In fact, this past October, the organization held its 30th Annual Art From the Streets Art Show and Sale. If you are looking for local Austin art for sale, consider supporting AFTS and its artists by purchasing prints or merchandise of artwork that truly makes a positive difference in the community, either in person at an art show or other art event or online.
According to Homeless Strategy Officer Dianna Gray and other city leaders, Austin has a goal of ending homelessness in 2023. New housing is being built throughout the city to get people off the streets, and programs are being funded to provide other forms of support for the homeless population in Austin. But even as initiatives to reduce and eliminate housing are underway, homelessness in Austin continues to be a huge problem--it has increased recently by about 20%.
AFTS continues to do what it can to help, with the understanding that “focusing on housing alone does not achieve other equally important goals that are relevant and motivating to improving and sustaining a quality of life” as stated in the AFTS mission statement. The organization supports local transient artists by encouraging them to exercise personal autonomy while developing their artistic skills, side by side with other members of the community, to uncover helpful resources such as job and housing leads.
Art From the Streets is an Austin-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in 1991 to give transient people a way to develop as artists and to use their creativity to climb out of homelessness. Purchasing artwork supports the artists directly. Donating to our program helps us to offer a free Open Studio for the homeless and at-risk.
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by Erika Mehlhaff
Homelessness is a major crisis in America. People end up in homelessness due to a wide range of reasons, from alcohol or drug addiction to mental health circumstances, a lack of affordable housing to limited housing assistance, and unemployment to poverty in general. But while homelessness has increased significantly over the years in this country, there are people fighting back against it and trying to solve the problem.
Art From the Streets (AFTS) is one such group of people. An all-volunteer program located in Austin, Texas, AFTS is on a mission to provide a safe and encouraging environment in which the positive spirit and creativity for those experiencing or facing homelessness are nurtured through their own artistic expression. They know that shelter and housing initiatives aren’t the only way to fight the homelessness epidemic in America.
AFTS provides art supplies and classes to homeless people in the community, as well as platforms and events where they can sell their work, and has been doing so for the last 30 years. The organization provides assistance to local artists experiencing homelessness by providing them with a safe and nurturing environment where they can produce art.
AFTS secured its own creative space in East Austin in September 2022, after decades of operating out of temporary physical locations generously provided by other local nonprofit groups. AFTS helps transient artists create a sense of community and connection that they often lack otherwise, as well as helping them develop a pathway to self-determination, by allowing them access to art materials during Open Studio sessions, hosting art sales and gallery showings, and collaborating with other community groups during their creative events. It is at their 2000-square-foot space at the Canopy that they will continue to serve people in the local Austin community through the creative arts.
If you would like to help Art From the Streets fight back against homelessness and help artists in the Austin area who are currently experiencing homelessness or are at great risk of becoming homeless this holiday season, please consider the following:
AFTS counts on support from people like you to fulfill their mission. When you give of your time and treasure to this nonprofit organization, you positively impact the lives of so many people. If you have any questions about how AFTS is serving the community or if you want to volunteer with the arts organization, please fill out the volunteer registration form on the official website of Art From the Streets or contact the organization directly.
Art From the Streets is an Austin-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in 1991 to give transient people a way to develop as artists and to use their creativity to climb out of homelessness. Purchasing artwork supports the artists directly. Donating to our program helps us to offer a free Open Studio for the homeless and at-risk.
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Art From The Streets celebrates the success story of our friend and Austin resident artist, Dawn Day.Because of your faithful support, AFTS emerged from the pandemic stronger than ever. Because you believed in us, we celebrated our 30th year with new talented artists, a growing staff, and exciting ideas for the future.Because of your compassion, our friend Dawn found community and no longer feels homeless.
It is fitting to bring greater awareness to the issues of hunger and homelessness during this time of year, as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, so Americans recognize the scarcity of food and housing that exists for so many in our communities. During this month, people address the issues of food and housing insecurity through education, service, and advocacy events because so many are unaware of just how much these problems really impact the people around them.
]]>by Erika Mehlhaff
Every year in November, Americans take time to consider all they have for which to be thankful. For many families, the month is filled with gatherings of family and friends feasting and having fun together. But there are millions of people across the nation who do not have this experience each year because of hunger and homelessness.
NOVEMBER IS HUNGER & HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS MONTH
It is fitting to bring greater awareness to the issues of hunger and homelessness during this time of year, as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, so Americans recognize the scarcity of food and housing that exists for so many in our communities. During this month, people address the issues of food and housing insecurity through education, service, and advocacy events because so many are unaware of just how much these problems really impact the people around them.
LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LINE IN TEXAS
To help people understand how significant and pervasive the problems of hunger and homelessness are in America, it is important to point out some of the very sobering statistics. About 60% of Americans are currently living paycheck to paycheck according to some reports, with many regularly having to choose between paying rent or buying groceries each month. Texas has 4,122,538 people living in poverty with households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, the second largest number of people just behind California which has 4,733,036, according to the most recently available data from the US Census Bureau.
FOOD AND SHELTER FOR FAMILIES IN NEED
While some American families get help from the government, for the most impoverished, the struggle to keep basic needs met is still a huge burden and concern. These people live on the edge, hoping there won’t be an illness, injury, job loss, or some other circumstance that will put them on the path to poverty, and possibly result in their families dealing with hunger and homelessness. For those who end up facing this plight, there is a real need for support. The hungry and homeless can find help in their communities all year long, from food pantries and soup kitchens, temporary shelters, and other service organizations. They can get food, safe places to sleep, and other aid from these organizations, but every person deserves to live without worrying whether they’ll have to make hard choices between paying for food or housing, or both. That is why it is so important to observe Hunger and Homelessness Month: it is a time to share our compassion for community members experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, while working toward a world where the issues of hunger and homelessness affect fewer and fewer people until they are no longer issues at all.
Art From the Streets (AFTS) is an Austin, Texas-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in 1991 to give transient people a way to develop as artists and to use their creativity to climb out of homelessness. Purchasing artwork supports the artists directly. Donating to our program helps us to offer a free Open Studio for the homeless and those at risk.
To learn more about how AFTS encourages transient people to tap into their creativity to help themselves, check out “Art From the Streets: a documentary by Layton Blaylock.” And visit the official AFTS website to learn more about the mission of Art From the Streets and other ways you can support the artists and also promote events/sales.
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Experiencing art is vital for everyone; there is great value in it. With art therapy, Austin's own Art From The Streets makes available the experience of real life benefits to all, particularly the city's most marginalized residents. From painting in downtown Austin and through various hospitable resources and tools, AFTS art therapy sessions and open studios help serve as a form of self-care. Take your mind off of stressors in your life. Artistic expression and it's therapeutic effects often contributes to greater overall happiness and mental well-being. This is key, as stress is one of the world’s most ubiquitous negative health and wellness issues.
]]>By Erika Mehlhaff
Experiencing art is vital for everyone; there is great value in it. With art therapy, Austin's own Art From The Streets makes available the experience of real life benefits to all, particularly the city's most marginalized residents. From painting in downtown Austin and through various hospitable resources and tools, AFTS art therapy sessions and open studios help serve as a form of self-care. Take your mind off of stressors in your life. Artistic expression and it's therapeutic effects often contributes to greater overall happiness and mental well-being. This is key, as stress is one of the world’s most ubiquitous negative health and wellness issues.
Art therapy is beneficial to human health and wellness. It has a positive impact on both physical and mental well-being. Art has been found to impact physical health positively by boosting immune function, helping with chronic pain management, and more. Art also has a positive impact on mental health, having been proven to help relieve stress. It decreases stress levels and promotes mental calmness.
Many studies have been done that show that art therapy has a positive connection to mental health. The art activities (e.g., sculpting, painting, drawing, etc.) Austin's premier art non-profit offer are well-documented: lower stress levels and promote serenity. Creating art provides a relaxing distraction from the troubles and worries of everyday life--they are set aside as one’s focus turns to the creative process.
Visual art in particular has been proven to have positive effects on the human brain, especially as it relates to mental health. Many studies regarding art and stress levels conducted over the years present data that shows that creating visual art can significantly reduce stress levels. When people participate in creating or even viewing art, they tend to experience a decrease in the levels of the stress hormone known as cortisol. This is why we call it art therapy.
Homelessness is a major stressor for countless individuals and families across the globe. In Austin, Texas, art therapy is at the core of our non-profit organization. Art From the Streets is helping mitigate the stress of homelessness by providing access to art to transient people. Click here to learn more about why you should support Art From the Streets. |
Art therapy has been used as a positive stress reliever for years. It can relieve feelings of mental strain and hardship for people of every age and stage of life. Its benefits are becoming more widely known and understood, making art a common choice as an alternative treatment for dealing with stress and other mental health conditions. Art serves a different purpose for every individual; in most cases, it allows people to process their life circumstances and the associated anxiety-inducing emotions in a way that provides stress relief through art. People can relax with more art in their lives.
Art From the Streets is an Austin-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in 1991 to give transient people a way to develop as artists and to use their creativity to climb out of homelessness. Purchasing artwork supports the artists directly. Donating to our program helps us to offer a free Open Studio for the currently homeless and others at risk of becoming homeless.
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by Erika Mehlhaff
You are invited to celebrate 20 years of art in Austin during the 20th Anniversary Austin Studio Tour! This year, the Austin Studio Tour will be showcasing the work of 520 Austin-based artists and collaboratives, including Art From the Streets, a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) non-profit organization catering to the needs of homeless and at-risk artists.
The Austin Studio Tour is presented by Big Medium, an artist-run, grassroots, nonprofit organization that is “dedicated to championing and cultivating artists and the contemporary arts in Austin and across Texas.” The Tour will be open to all on weekends from November 5-20, 2022, with a Group Exhibition and Kick Off event on November 1.
The Official Kick Off of the Austin Studio Tour will be on November 1, 2022, at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (600 River Street). On this date, there will be a Member Preview from 6:00-7:00 pm, with General Admission to follow from 7:00-10:00 pm. While the Austin Studio Tour itself is free, the Kick Off event requires paid admission. Tickets for the Kick Off are available to the public now. |
The Austin Studio Tour is a free, self-guided art tour across the city, from east to west. The first weekend of the tour, November 5-6, highlights local artists on the west side of the city, while weekend #2 on November 12-13 features creatives from both the west and east areas of Austin, with weekend #3 on November 19-20 spotlighting those on the east side. The Tour provides opportunities for the public to meet Austin artists in their creative spaces, to view and discuss their work and build connections between artmakers and art lovers in the city.
The Austin Studio Tour was the first event in which Art From the Streets (AFTS) participated after settling into their new, dedicated studio at Canopy--it was the first time that the public was able to see the new gallery space. This event marks ONE YEAR of AFTS hosting gallery shows in the organization’s very own studio! AFTS is thrilled to share that they will be participating in the 20th Anniversary Austin Studio Tour! On the heels of the AFTS 30th Annual Show and Sale and participation in the 20th Annual Travis Heights Art Trail, the arts organization is excited to welcome visitors on November 12-13 & 19-20 to experience art with them.
Established in 1991, Art From the Streets provides transient people a way to develop as artists and to use their creativity to climb out of homelessness. Purchasing artwork supports the artists directly. Donating to our program helps us to offer a free Open Studio for the currently homeless as well as individuals who are at risk of becoming homeless.
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by Erika Mehlhaff
The capital of Texas, Austin is known for its eclectic vibe, with threads of industry, higher education, outdoor activity, and arts and culture making up the fabric of the city. Visitors from around the world flock to Austin all year round to experience all the city has to offer, side by side with locals. There are many things to do in Austin; for instance, the vibrant arts scene in Austin draws thousands of people to the Lone Star State every year, with everything from great art collections in world-class museums to art displays at street fairs and festivals.
If you are planning to be in Austin the first weekend of November and want to experience art in the city, consider a visit to the Travis Heights area for a community art experience like no other. Following right on the heels of Art From the Streets’ 30th Annual Show Show and Sale, the eclectic neighborhood of Travis Heights will be celebrating its 20th Annual Travis Heights Art Trail.
The 20th Annual Travis Heights Art Trail being held on November 5-6, 2022 is a free and interactive art event through the historic South Austin neighborhood of Travis Heights. The two-day, walking tour is one of the most popular events to take place in this diverse, arts-and-culture-focused neighborhood. The Travis Heights Art Trail features the work of over 35 Austin artists who open their homes and studios every year on the first full weekend in November to display and sell their art while giving attendees the opportunity to engage in conversation about the nature of art and community and the artistic choices and processes used by working fine artists.
This year, the Travis Heights Art Trail also will feature arts & crafts from the nonprofit arts organization Art From the Streets, as well as nonprofits Down Home Ranch, Marbridge House, and Adventures Academy. A city of Austin Cultural arts event, it is the only art exhibit in the area that is managed by the participating artists themselves. Charlotte Bell, a photographer and fiber artist, has been the primary organizer of the Travis Heights Art Trail since it first began in 2002; it is now a 501(c)(3) non-profit in its own right.
So, if you find yourself in the city with some time on your hands and adventure on your mind, check out the extraordinary and unforgettable Travis Heights neighborhood this November 5th and 6th to view and purchase work created by local artists at the 20th Annual Travis Heights Art Trail. Your visit helps to support the creative arts in Austin.
20TH ANNUAL TRAVIS HEIGHTS ART TRAIL November 5-6, 2022 11:00am-5:00pm |
Art From the Streets is an Austin-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in 1991 to give transient people a way to develop as artists and to use their creativity to climb out of homelessness. Purchasing artwork supports the artists directly. Donating to our program helps us to offer a free Open Studio for the homeless and at risk.
]]>Art From the Streets presents its 30th Annual Show Show and Sale and invites you to celebrate 30 years with them! One of the top art events in Austin to attend this fall, this Austin art show and sale was the first big event hosted by Art From the Streets at the end of its first year as a non-profit outreach program focused on the local homeless population.
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Art From the Streets has been hosting its Annual Art Show and Sale since the first season of the program in 1991-1992. The premier event is the organization’s largest of the year during which works created by all AFTS artists are on display and available for purchase. Last year returned to an in-person venue for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, presented at Blue Genie Art Bazaar. Though this event was held at the Austin Convention Center in the past, it was a great success for AFTS artists who showed their art at Blue Genie last year. This year AFTS will return to Blue Genie for the second year.
AFTS helps the homeless build community and connection, while also creating a pathway to self-determination through their time in Open Studio, art sales, and other events. By purchasing art at the 30th Annual Art Show and Sale, guests will have a direct impact on those experiencing homelessness in Austin. The transient artists of AFTS participate in this event in an effort to help themselves climb out of homelessness.
At the AFTS 30th Annual Art Show and Sale this year, each artist will have a dedicated booth in which to display their artwork where attendees will have the opportunity to meet many of the artists who participate in the program. Many AFTS artists will be present to share their stories with guests and present their art for sale. They will present affordable art for sale for people with a wide range of budgets; and 95% of the earnings from the sale of the original artwork will go directly to the artists themselves. (Note: if you attend this event and would like to support AFTS as it strives to achieve its mission, a donation upon entry would be very much appreciated. And if you would like to support AFTS further, know that there are other ways to help, from volunteering with the organization to making donations.)
During the AFTS Art Show and Sale, guests will not only be able to view and purchase artwork; they also will get a look into the excitement of the organization as it moved into a new, dedicated space this past year! The new studio space has allowed AFTS to continue serving and supporting artists who are experiencing homelessness in the local community. Over the last 30 years, AFTS has offered creative supplies and art sale opportunities to transient artists in Austin.
ART FROM THE STREETS 30TH ANNUAL ART SHOW AND SALE Dates: October 29th and 30th Times: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Location: Blue Genie Art Bazaar 6100 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78752 Free Parking Suggested Donation at the Door: $5.00 NOTE: Tickets are not required to enter the event, but it is suggested that visitors register in advance. |
Art From the Streets is an Austin-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in 1991 to give transient people a way to develop as artists and to use their creativity to climb out of homelessness. Purchasing artwork supports the artists directly. Donating to our program helps us to offer a free Open Studio for the homeless and at risk.
One way that Canopy is contributing to vitalizing the arts in the local community is through Austin art exhibits in 2022. The artists and gallerists of Canopy host exhibits during a range of events, including their monthly studio event called Open Canopy. The Open Canopy experience connects art and artists with the public, bridging differences in culture and class along the way.
Canopy is a top spot for experiencing art in Austin. The burgeoning community of creatives who make art at the Canopy presents Open Canopy and other events throughout each year as celebrations of art and the creative processes of artmakers. During the Open Canopy event, visitors are welcomed into the studios and galleries of Canopy creatives to learn from the artists themselves and engage with art in a more directly personal way. Artwork on display at Open Canopy is for sale; visitors are welcome to purchase existing pieces or inquire about commissioning pieces.
Art From the Streets, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports the artistic endeavors of people who are experiencing homelessness, secured space at Canopy in September 2021 to use as its studio and gallery. (Art From the Streets previously operated on a much more limited scale out of a church basement in downtown Austin.) One year into its residency at the art complex, the art organization for transient artists is thrilled to be able to participate in events such as Open Canopy.
Open Canopy events are held on the first Saturday of every month between 1 pm and 4 pm. Art From the Street’s final Open Canopy show of the 2022 season was on September 3rd--an exhibit of a collection of artwork created by several of the transient artists served by the non-profit art organization. The art show, which was guest-curated by Allee Beatty, Gallery Director for West Chelsea Contemporary, was a great success for the artists themselves and as a way to share with the community some ways they can help support the arts while also helping the homeless population in Austin.
Art From the Streets will continue to participate in future Open Canopy shows in the new year and beyond. For now, the organization continues working to achieve the Art From the Streets mission “to provide a safe and encouraging environment in which the positive spirit and creativity for those experiencing homelessness are nurtured through their own artistic expression.”
by Erika Mehlhaff
Mixed media art has been created for years, but became more common at the turn of the 20th century during the Post-Modern art period. It developed as innovation in the art world increased and new and different media arose on the scene and became more readily available to artists.
Mixed media is a category of art that involves the use of several creative mediums, materials, or methods to create a work of visual art. Mixed media art allows artists to use a variety of artistic processes to create artworks with composition, color, texture, etc. via non-traditional techniques and approaches.
Mixed media art is a broad art category. The artworks that fall within the category of mixed media range from paintings created using several types of paints together, to ordinary “found” objects presented in an artistic way, to sculptures/installation art composed of many different elements--medium like stone, bronze, etc. in combination with other things such as fabric, paper, etc.
“Some celebrated works of Mixed Media Art include Still Life with Chair Caning (1911-1912) by Pablo Picasso, Blue Nude II (1952) by Henri Matisse, and Just What Is It That Makes Today’s Homes So Different, So Appealing?(1956) by Richard Hamilton.” |
Mixed media art is commonly confused with multimedia art. The difference is basically that mixed media art is fully visual in nature, while multimedia art tends to incorporate non-visual elements as well, including things such as dance, music, written or spoken prose/poetry, dynamic graphics, interactivity, etc. But even as artists develop multimedia art as a genre, mixed media continues to grow in popularity amongst traditional artists as they extend their work beyond the boundaries of a single art form to experiment and diversify their art.
Art methods and media continue to evolve, inspiring artists to become more creative and use new, distinct, and assorted techniques to make their art. They have developed over time to make mixed media art one of the most creative visual art genres ever. This movement in the art world continues today.
There are many fine art resources that provide more information about mixed media art, and in greater detail. Visit the following websites to learn more about mixed media art online: |
Art from the Streets (AFTS) is an Austin, Texas-based non-profit organization that was established to give transient artists a safe place to create. The organization gives artists experiencing homelessness a chance to practice their artistic skills and grow in their creativity and to develop some stability. AFTS provides opportunities for the artists to display and sell their art; this is accomplished through events such as the AFTS annual art show, via online sales, and by way of other projects and partnerships that have developed over the years. AFTS is run by a volunteer board of directors who give of their time to administer the official AFTS website, promote the organization in the community, manage the studio/gallery space, and inventory the art supplies provided to the artists. If you would like to support AFTS and its mission, there are many ways you can give. If you would like more information about the AFTS program, please contact the organization at any time.
]]>In many places, fine arts nonprofits are at the helm of the arts and culture scene. They help communities engage the arts for growth and improvement in social, educational, and economic arenas. These organizations help raise awareness of the arts and emphasize the value of the arts. They also elevate local communities by making the arts accessible via art activities and events that highlight artistic traditions from diverse cultural origins. Further, fine arts nonprofit organizations provide resources to local artists who make their living as professional creatives. But these nonprofit organizations cannot do what they do without funding themselves.
There are many levels and forms of support that fine arts nonprofits appreciate. Volunteer support is always welcome, but donations are also key. Some include in-kind donations of goods/services, while other things like free promotion and advertisement help as well. Sometimes these organizations are supported via financial donations from a business or individual sponsor.
Supporting fine arts nonprofit organizations like Art From the Streets champions artists and the communities in which they live. It allows for the fine arts to nourish society and increase the vibrancy of humanity, creating opportunities for discourse and strengthening community ties. Communities are beautified, while their local economies flourish--from increased employment and tourism, enhanced property values, and bolstered cultural diversity. These organizations add to the environment in creative and innovative ways that benefit the people they serve, empowering artists while increasing public access to arts and culture. In the case of Art From the Streets, the impact is even broader since it supports transient artists in the local community.
“The artist is not a special kind of person; rather each person is a special kind of artist.” ~ Ananda Coomaraswamy |
Art From the Streets is an Austin-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in 1991 to give transient people a way to develop as artists and to use their creativity to climb out of homelessness. Purchasing artwork supports the artists directly. Donating to our program helps us to offer a free Open Studio for the homeless and at risk.