Supporting Safe Spaces to Create Art

A work from OFFCenter artist

Our mission is to promote positive self identity and resilience through art making by providing a safe environment for creative social interaction with an emphasis to enhance the lives of those most marginalized in our community. -OFFCenter

 ”People who are homeless in this society tend to be invisible and for that reason, when they create art, they are telling you, ‘Here I am. Look at me. Here is what I can do.’ This is why ArtStreet excites me. Because life itself excites and that is why I continue to be a part of this.” – Anand Naren-Oma, ArtStreet Artist

from Recycled Heart fundraiser 2015

There are two events this week intended to support sites in Albuquerque that offer people a safe space to engage their artist creativity. On  Dec. 1 (tomorrow), OFFCenter is participating with many agencies and organizations in Giving Tuesday to raise funds to help support its mission.

On Friday, Dec. 4,  artists Tony and Julianna Pelletier are hosting a gallery featuring artists from ArtStreet to raise money for  Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless  and to promote the First Day of Winter campaign. ArtStreet and OFFCenter are both great community assets and deserve our support.  Here are more details.

Help OFFCenter on #GivingTuesday
OFFCenter Community Arts Project is participating in #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving. You are encouraged to lend your support by going online to make a monetary donation to OFFCenter Community Arts Project (You can also donate a vehicle or art supplies). Dozens of organizations are also participating in #GivingTuesday in Albuquerque.  And beyond #Giving Tuesday, please consider engaging your workplace or community organization to raise funds for OFFCenter.

"Albuquerque needs this judgement-free creative space," said OFFCenter staff. "We promote positive self identity and resilience through art making by providing a safe environment for creative social interaction with an emphasis to enhance the lives of those most marginalized in our community."

Sale of ArtStreet Works to Support AHCH
Tony and Julianna Pelletier are hosting a gallery and art sale on Friday, Dec. 4, at the Sundowner Apartments, 6101 Central Ave. NE, (map), from 6:00-9:00 p.m.

"We will be selling art to raise much needed funds for Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless and the 2015 First Day of Winter Campaign," said Pelletier, who is on the board of AHCH.

The First Day of Winter, the winter solstice, is a national day to remember and honor those who have died as a result of homelessness. AHCH builds its annual campaign around the first day of winter to illustrate the importance of quality healthcare in helping people overcome, exit, and end recurring homelessness.