HomeFront Art on Display at PEAC
September 28th, 2011
For the month of November, PEAC Health & Fitness will proudly display original works of art produced by the clients of HomeFront. Ruthann Traylor, Director of ArtSpace at HomeFront, works with the local impoverished families of Mercer County to create necessary life building skills using art as a self expression. Ruthann describes the ArtSpace program:
Building Self Confidence with Therapeutic Art
“It’s important for us to know that we can do something. Most people come in and say they can’t, but they surprise themselves.”
-Helen B., HomeFront’s ArtSpace client, 2011
Homelessness and poverty rob people of their self respect, making it difficult for them to focus on what they can do to improve their own situation. The ArtSpace at HomeFront helps build self-esteem and seeks to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of our clients. We believe that the creative process involved in self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.
Our innovative therapeutic art program draws on our clients’ creativity. It promotes socialization, self-confidence and self-expression among individuals who might have low self-esteem because of poverty, homelessness or abuse. We encourage clients to tap into their creativity, which often opens doors to new ways of thinking and reveals their voice. ArtSpace strives to teach life skills through the arts while at the same time rebuilding souls, so our artists/clients can become self-sufficient individuals.
ArtSpace is working hard to raise funds and awareness for HomeFront in the wake of sweeping government cutbacks that have put HomeFront programs in danger of shutting down. “In displaying artwork created by HomeFront clients we are putting a human face on a problem from which many people feel disconnected. With the creative process we are providing an outlet for the emotional and mental distress that accompanies the struggle to meet basic needs,” says Ruthann Traylor, ArtSpace director.
Community
It is only through the generosity of our community that we are able to continue our creative endeavors. At this time the ArtSpace is in need of the following art supplies: Paint brushes, paint, paper, canvas, bead supplies, or gift certificates to Michael’s or A.C Moore. ArtSpace has also started a corporate art program where small business and corporations can make a donation in return for artwork to enhance their workplace. What a fun way to help impoverished families, by buying art! We thank you in advance for your support! For more information about ArtSpace, contact: ruthannt@homefrontnj.org.
HomeFront provides a holistic array of preventative emergency and long-term support services for families who are homeless or in danger of becoming so; permanent, service-enriched, affordable housing for families, tutoring and enrichment programs for children, life-skills and employment readiness training for adults. http://www.homefrontnj.org.
The HomeFront ArtSpace works will be on display at PEAC for PEAC’s members and the public. For more information about HomeFront, ArtSpace, or the items on display, contact Ruthann Traylor at HomeFront at 609-989-9417. To learn more about the display space at PEAC Health & Fitness, please contact Laura Geltch, Marketing, at 609-883-2000, by email LgeltchPEAC is located at 1440 Lower Ferry Road, Ewing, NJ.
