Art Show: From the Heart
Since 2007 McAuley House has shared the artwork of its guests with the wider community, in an annual art show titled “From the Heart.”
The show, held in February near Valentine’s Day, features donated music, food, flowers and the painting, sketches and collage of the McAuley House guests. All artwork is sold, with proceeds benefiting both the artists and House programming.
Our second annual art show in February 2008 at McAuley House, was a celebratory and well-attended affair. It was featured on Channel 10, in a Providence Journal news article, and was visited by more than 100 people including neighbors, business leaders and government officials, including the Providence Mayor.
We sold most of the artwork featured, and one artist’s work was selected for the cover of an upcoming Medicine & Health RI, the monthly publication of the RI Medical Society. Our show affirmed and celebrated our guests, many of whom have not often had such opportunities.
The show grew out of an art class founded in 2006 by local artist and therapist Kathy King. King had spent 20 years volunteering with marginalized people in her South Side neighborhood.
She holds classes at the House on Tuesday mornings, working with individuals struggling with homelessness, addictions, depression and other challenges. Her philosophy has been creating a safe space for them to feel at peace, and to express their creativity.
The show is free and will be open to the public.
Sponsors have included:
RISD Caters
Blooming Mad Florist of Cranston
Utrecht Art Supply in Providence
Johnson & Wales College of Culinary Arts
The teachers of V.J. Gallagher Middle School in Smithfield
St. Paul’s religious education program in Cranston
Community MusicWorks
To become a sponsor of the art show or art program, please contact the Rev. Mary Margaret Earl at 401-941-9013 ext. 302 or e-mail revearl@mcauleyri.org
