What do art and housing have to do with one another? We all have some kind of art in our home, whether it is on the fridge, on the walls or sitting around. The Art of Home Gallery Show at House on the Hill during the month of June focuses on the theme of Home. Artists are preparing pieces, across mediums, with their interpretation of the art of home. When you think of home, what do you think of? Some people in our community dream of home because they currently are unhoused. Many people live in hotels, in a friend’s spare room or on their couch, and others live in their car, a campground or on the street.
Being unhoused increases stress, health and social issues and can impede employment. Imagine living day to day unsure about where you will sleep, get ready for work or just be able to relax at the end of the day. Sometimes financial issues follow the unhoused person. While some mental health issues are present in the homeless community, there are a number of unhoused people who do not experience mental health issues. When an unhoused situation remains unresolved, incidence of depression and other mental health issues can develop.
House on the Hill works to help unhoused families and individuals stabilize. The Guesthouse program allows households to move into available, stable housing while they work on an individual plan. The plan includes what the client needs to move forward. While providing housing can stabilize the household, employment, continued employment or even higher paying employment is needed to provide for the household. Plans can include working to get a college degree or further their education. Some plans include personal goals. Every plan includes a household budget and savings plan and/or debt reduction plan. Housing is the start, but determining an individualized plan based on the household’s needs is what moves them forward. House on the Hill works to help households learn the art of home.
The Art of Home Gallery Show brings artists together to raise funds to provide housing and support to those in need. The Art of Home has a number of events to bring awareness to the unhoused in our community and what we can all do to make a difference. The Gallery Show will run the month of June. If you are an artist or someone you know is an artist, you can submit your works at https://www.houseonthehillbg.com/artisthome. Each artist is asked to donate one piece for auction during the show and may submit up to seven total pieces for their installation. Events for the show include the Opening on May 29, a family event “Ice Cream for Breakfast” on June 14, and the Closing on June 28. For more information and other event opportunities go to https://www.houseonthehillbg.com/galleryshow.
House on the Hill also provides monthly food for those in need. They work with local partners to identify those needs. Weekly and monthly volunteer opportunities are available. Check out the volunteer calendar at https://www.houseonthehillbg.com/volunteer for more information.
-submitted by House on the Hill
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