To seek better community understanding of the homeless issue, the May 16 event will immerse attendees in the tough realities of being unhoused
Submitted by Jennifer J.H. Pierce
Experiencing some of what it’s like to be homeless in Broward County will be the focus of “Voices from the Street,” an event to be held at ArtServe on Thursday, May 16 from 6 p.m. to 9 pm. Admission is free.
While at ArtServe, guests will be able to walk through a mobile showering unit from Showering Love and sample food provided by Hope South Florida. Art and prose created by unhoused adults and their children will be displayed in ArtServe’s gallery.
All drawings, paintings, poems and essays on display will be for sale, with the artists receiving 100% of the proceeds. A panel of judges will also award gift cards and bus passes as prizes for the best artwork.
“With Florida law having changed substantially this year in regard to homelessness, it’s critically important to bring attention to this growing issue,” ArtServe CEO Jason Hughes said. “Talented and skilled people sometimes end up on the street through no fault of their own. Displaying their artwork and having their stories told are a way to give them the dignity of recognition when they spend so many days feeling unseen.”
“Voices From the Street” will also feature a panel of speakers who will share their firsthand experiences of how they became unhoused and where they are today. With the goal of creating more empathy and understanding for the unhoused, panelists will also discuss what can be done to mitigate and prevent the problem.
ArtServe inspires, supports and advances its diverse members, artists and community by promoting artistic development, education and prosperity through the exploration and presentation of the visual and performing arts.
About ArtServe
Named a “Top-Rated Nonprofit” by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews of charities and nonprofits, Fort Lauderdale-based ArtServe is an award-winning arts incubator that is advancing the arts for social good as a creative laboratory and hub for experimental artists committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Now in its 35th year, ArtServe has won several awards for innovation in the arts and is supported in part by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council and Florida’s Department of State and the Division of Cultural Affairs. Each year, ArtServe programs contribute tangibly to the region’s economy, helping 2,000+ artists sell their work, build businesses and engage the community. To do that, ArtServe secures financial support through donations, sponsorships and memberships.
