Homeless Artists To Display Their Work at ArtServe

To Seek Better Community Understanding, the May 16 Event Will Immerse Attendees in the Tough Realities of Being Unhoused

Experiencing firsthand what it’s like to be homeless in Broward County will be the focus of a Thursday, May 16, 2024 ArtServe event called “Voices from the Street.”

As attendees enter ArtServe through a mobile showering unit from Showering Love and food provided by Hope South Florida, they will be immersed into the desperate world of life on the streets as they make their way inside to see an exhibit exclusively featuring various of art and prose created by unhoused adults and children.

All drawings, paintings, sculptures, poems and essays on display will be for sale, with the artist receiving 100 percent of the proceeds and the opportunity to win various gift card prizes.

“With Florida law having changed substantially this year in regard to homelessness, it’s critically important to bring attention to this issue,” ArtServe CEO Jason Hughes said. “Talent persists irrespective of one’s lack of housing. Displaying these folks’ artwork is 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 artists and others sharing their firsthand experiences of being formerly homeless and how they became that way. 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.