ArtSpace - Therapeutic Art at Work
Artist of the Month
Stephanie Rodriguez
Stephanie began at HomeFront’s WorkFirst in October of 2011, and began painting at ArtSpace not long after that. Stephanie’s full time job right now is studying to get her GED so that she can go to Mercer County Community College to become a nurse. She is the mother of two young boys, and hasn’t painted since her middle school art classes.
“I like to draw and paint to express my feelings,” Stephanie says about why creativity is important to her. It keeps her relaxed, motivated and open minded. Coming to ArtSpace helps her to be outspoken, be open to different people and ideas, and learn new things. Having the chance to be creative, Stephanie says, gives everyone at HomeFront the chance to show themselves what they can do and express their true feelings. It offers a chance to show off their talent and see how their hard work equals improving skills.
When asked what she would say if her sons came to her and said they wanted to be artists, she said that she would help them, step by step, if it’s what they wanted. “Put your mind to it, learn, concentrate. I want them to be inspired by art.”.
Building Self Confidence With Therapeutic Art
Homelessness and poverty rob people of their self respect, making it difficult for them to focus on what they can do to improve their own situation. The ArtSpace at HomeFront helps build self-esteem and seeks to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of our clients. We believe that the creative process involved in self-expression helps people resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.
Our innovative therapeutic art program draws on our clients’ creativity. It promotes socialization, self-confidence and self-expression among individuals who might have low self-esteem because of poverty, homelessness or abuse. We encourage clients to tap into their creativity which often opens doors to new ways of thinking and reveals their voice.
ArtSpace works to rebuild souls through creativity,
and assist our clients on the road to self-sufficiency.
ArtSpace in the News
ArtSpace clients find home for their creative efforts at Grounds for Sculptures
September 2, 2011
HomeFront's art therapy program provides creative outlet for homeless
Trenton Times
August 8, 2011
Empowerment Through Art
Trenton Times
May 27, 2011
Homeless Artists Respond to Stereotypes
Harvard Magazine
November-December 2010
Aspiring artist from Ewing homeless shelter program earns design school scholarship
NJ Star Ledger
June 29, 2010
Watching You Watching Me: The Art of the Homeless
US1
June 9, 2010
Community Matters
With grateful appreciation to our communities in Mercer County, we thank you for your generous support of ArtSpace. Your help allows us to continue our creative endeavors.
At this time the ArtSpace is in need of the following art supplies:
- Paint brushes
- Paint
- Watercolor & acrylic paper
- Canvas
- Beads
- A.C Moore or Michael’s Gift Certificates
Thank you!
Art Coordinator: Ruthann Traylor
For more information contact: ruthannt@homefrontnj.org
ArtSpace Updates
- Upcoming Exhibits: Inside Out: Visionary Artists Tell Their Stories
March 3–April 27th
Reception: March 3, 6-8pm
West Windsor Arts Center, 952 Alexander Road.
Princeton Junction, NJ 08550
609-716-1931
Press Release
****FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE****
CONTACT
K. Kalawar
West Windsor Arts Council
Email: info@westwindsorarts.org
Phone: 609.716.1931 Wed-Fri 12:00-6:00pm; Sat 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Inside Out: Visionary Artists Tell Their Stories
March 3 - April 27
Reception: March 3, 6-8 pm
Panel Discussion: March 31, 2-4 pm
West Windsor Arts Center, 952 Alexander Road
Princeton Junction, NJ 08550
609.716.1931
Princeton Junction, NJ -- January 3, 2012: The West Windsor Arts Council presents Inside Out: Visionary Artists Tell Their Stories March 3 through April 27 at the West Windsor Arts Center. An opening reception will be held March 3, 6 to 8 pm, and a panel discussion will take place March 31, 2-4 pm. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Friday, noon-6 pm, and Saturday, 10 am-4 pm.
Whether it’s called Outsider Art, Visionary Art, Naïve Art, or Intuitive Art, art produced by self-taught individuals, often without formal training, can reveal an innate personal vision that many trained artists strive to attain. According to the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, visionary artists begin by listening to the inner voices of the soul.
Visionary artists invent their own traditions. They hear their own inner voice so resoundingly that they may not even think of what they do as art. Jean Dubuffet's beloved Art Brut Collections, formed exclusively from the raw art creations of non-artists, such as street people, hermits, factory workers, housewives and psychic mediums, motivated him to say, "Art is at its best when it forgets its very name."
In the early 1990s, Outsider Art became so popular with collectors, the Outsider Art Fair was born in New York City. Today it is the largest fair of its kind.
The West Windsor Arts Center is partnering with HomeFront’s ArtSpace Therapeutic art program to present Inside Out, showcasing the work of Naïve artists to tell their inner stories.
Stephanie's Art
