Art show returns to be outlet for less fortunate

Date: 11/10/2008

By Natasha Clark

Assistant Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD The third annual Phoenix Arts Project art show/sale has been slated for Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. at Christ Church Cathedral, 35 Chestnut St.

The program is an opportunity for homeless and low income artists to express themselves. All supplies are provided for participants and weekly classes are guided by instructors free of charge.

"This will be our third year and so our hope is that people will not make assumptions about who the homeless are and what they are capable of," Stephanie Bradshaw, of Nehemiah Ministries, said.

Nehemiah Ministries is one of the major sponsors of the event, along with Loaves and Fishes, whose staff has been very involved in keeping the program afloat.

"I think that it is one of the only opportunities, for some of the artists, to be in a safe, clean and quiet place to reflect on their life," Bradshaw explained. "Some other places [such as shelters] give the meat and potatoes. If someone is going to choose between spending the small amount of money that they have to get a motel room or get [artist] tools, they will not get tools."

Of the art to be sold at the event this Saturday, 80 percent of the profit goes to the artist and 20 percent is recycled back into the program. There will be food and refreshments by Starbucks and Panera. At 4 p.m. there will be spoken word performances.

Bradshaw said the program participants run the gamut in age and race and that Phoenix Arts Project offers a sense of stability. She believes that the annual arts show gives the artists an opportunity to show the mainstream world their thoughts and feelings. She gave kudos to AmeriCorps VISTA worker Jonathan Perez, art teacher Karen Mckenzie, director Shiloh Bradshaw and the staff members of Loaves and Fishes for their time and dedication.