Local artist Jan Gallagher used outlines of the hands of the homeless to create
Shelter Blanket.
Some of the hands used were taken from the students at
First Place. Here is a detailed view of a hand.
Here is Jan's Artist Statement about the peice:
Creating art is opening a suitcase that I have been dragging around all my life. It is a process of unpacking and letting go, of adding color to darkness, of softening hard edges.
Shelter Blanket is a fiber portrait. I see the homeless everyday. They are wrapped in blankets, searching for compassion. I see emptiness where hope once lived. I see someone searching for a place, not just a place to sleep, but a home.
Each year the Seattle / King County Coalition on Homelessness and Operations Nightwatch counts the unsheltered homeless. On the night of January 30, 2009 they counted 1,977 homeless in the City of Seattle. You may walk past them everyday and never see them.
In creating Shelter Blanket, homeless men, women and children have extended their hands. They have touched my life. Stand before my work, touch the quilt. Touch each hand. It holds a piece of their soul and may it touch you.
$1977
ALL PROCEEDS DONATED
TO BENEFIT THE HOMELESS
This is extraordinary work! Thank you, Jan!
Jan's work will be on display at the Public showing of the Fibermorgana UW Fiber Arts Certificate Program on these dates:
Thursday, June 4, 2009 from 5:30-8:30pm
Tuesday, June 9 and 23, 2009 at 5pm
University of Washington Tower 4th floor (old Safeco Tower)
4333 Brooklyn Ave NE Seattle, WA 98195
View Larger Map
RSVP stands for Retired & Senior Volunteer Program. RSVP encourages people 55 and older to volunteer in their community. First Place currently has two volunteers through the Solid Ground RSVP Program.
A huge Thank You to Kirkland Junior Youth Group who came down to First Place with a donation of $330 and for a tour of the building! We appreciate their support of our programs and for their future support as summer volunteers.
Posts
