The complicated issues of homelessness will be the subject of the September show at Art Center Ukiah. Backed by a grant from the Community Foundation, three Ukiah artists (Betty Lacy, Janet Rosen and myself, Laura Fogg) have just finished a year-long collaborative art project with people who receive services from Building Bridges emergency shelter and homeless resource center. More than fifty clients have participated in our twice-weekly paper and textile collage projects, and the result is a collection of introspective and evocative artwork.

 

This project was entitled "We Are You" in an attempt to highlight the reality that there isn't  a broad dividing line between those of us who are housed and those who are not. In spite of the huge stigma associated with homelessness, the differences between 'us' and 'them' are surprisingly small. One big illness, an untreated mental health issue, a lost job or a divorce can plummet a person who is just getting by into financial ruin. Add to that the currently exorbitant cost of rent, and there isn't much of a cushion for many folks.

 

With all of these issues to contend with, we artists thought it would be important to meet individual clients and explore ways for them to tell their own stories through the creation of art. We used several approaches, starting with Janet introducing artistic principles that could be developed with paper collage. Betty and I used our time at Building Bridges to support participants to make small art quilts that explored the idea of some place where each of them would like to be. People responded with enthusiasm, and some found the experience to be a very personal dive into their memories of better times in the past or their hopes and dreams for the future. 

 

Janet explains her personal experience at Building Bridges. "Each week I presented a new theme," she says. "It might be an idea like 'spring' or it might be a way to look at artistic concepts like 'circle, square, triangle,' with each participant encouraged to interpret it freely. And boy did they ever! The variety of interpretations was inspiring."

 

Janet continues, "While watching people work and chatting with them, I was also making my own collages. It was like two conversations going on at once: we were talking together and also visually responding to... riffing on... each others' art. My showing up regularly helped clients and residents come to see me as an approachable person... even if they were not moved to participate in the art that we were doing. As a result, I have had many remarkable open and candid conversations with people who merit the same level of respect and attention as my neighbors and friends. I really enjoy being there."

 

Betty describes her evolving experience at Building Bridges throughout the year. "Initially," she admits, "it was kind of scary. Walking into the shelter not knowing quite what to expect or exactly what we were going to do was unsettling. The remarkable thing that happened was I transformed that fear pretty quickly to really relishing the experience of witnessing people doing art and bringing memories and emotions to the surface so eloquently and effortlessly. It's been a joy to witness both the telling of stories and the making of art at Building Bridges.  Most importantly, I was bowled over by the kindness and understanding that every staff member exhibits towards the clients and how that behavior is reciprocated."

 

My own reflection is that the year of doing art at Building Bridges was full of unexpected outcomes. I started the project eager to support people in their own story telling, assuming it would be a one-way street with me in the role of teacher. I never dreamed that it would be such a learning experience for me. I met people who I had spent a lifetime learning to fear and avoid... sitting face to face at a table. They weren't going anywhere for the next two hours, and neither was I. As we did art together, the trust built and the stories poured out. The gift for me was getting to know who some of these folks are beneath the ragged hair, mismatched clothing and scars from a hard life. I met people with high hopes for a better life, bottomless love for their absent family members, and the courage to try a new start. I met people who were scared, sad and even angry... but at the same time compassionate, insightful and incredibly brave. I met people who I now care deeply about.

 

It occurred to me at the end of the project that the story wouldn't be complete without my own artistic contribution. I decided to make a few quilted collage portraits of people who have come to mean a great deal to me. I couldn't stop at two or three, and there are now seven portraits in the group. My hope is that people in our community will see these folks for all that they are.

 

Art Center Ukiah would like to thank Karen and Norm Rosen for their generous sponsorship of this show.