CONTACT:
Bill Fredell
Lutheran Social Service
651.969.2288
bill.fredell@lssmn.org
Local Artist
Paints Pictures of the Homeless
Face to Face: Encountering Homelessness, a new exhibit, opens this fall
at Premier Gallery in Minneapolis
A first-of-its-kind art
exhibit of paintings depicting real images of homeless youth, adults and
families in Minnesota will be on display at Premier Gallery in
Minneapolis, starting Oct. 8.
Artist, Kristie Bretzke,
conceived the idea for the exhibit. “Living in downtown Minneapolis, I see
homelessness every day,” Bretzke said. “It is definitely a problem that
doesn’t receive enough attention.”
In
her paintings, Bretzke reveals the many different faces of homelessness
that know no specific age, gender or race. “In the end, I want this show
to be remembered for the individuality of each painting,” she said. “I
want people to remember the different and authentic faces. These are real
problems, but more importantly, these are real people.”
The goal of the exhibit is
to raise awareness and proceeds from the sale of Bretzke’s works will
benefit those experiencing homelessness. “When you come face to face with
these paintings, you are compelled to take action,” said Kelvin Miller,
director of Premier Gallery.
All of the artist’s proceeds
will benefit services for homeless youth and families through Lutheran
Social Service of Minnesota. Statewide, the organization serves over 6,500
homeless youth and families through transitional housing, supportive
housing services, emergency shelter and street outreach.
Mark Peterson, President/CEO
of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, said that Minnesota is advancing
plans to end homelessness through Heading Home county initiatives and the
governor’s plan to end chronic homelessness, among others. Such plans will
require the combined strengths of government, faith communities,
businesses, and nonprofit and civic organizations, he said.
“This
exhibit with Premier Gallery is another way that Minnesotans can get
involved and make a difference,” Peterson said. “At Lutheran Social
Service, our goal is to ensure that all children, whether they are on
their own or living within a family, have a safe place to live in
Minnesota. We believe that if we apply ourselves, we can make this
happen.”
Peterson says that Lutheran
Social Service provides affordable housing, but also connects youth and
families to jobs, mental health counseling, classes on money management,
day care and transportation to work—supportive services that are
instrumental in helping homeless individuals be successful over the long
term.
During the exhibit,
donations to help those experiencing homelessness will be welcomed.
While Premier Gallery is
known for hosting unique and cutting-edge shows, the exhibit on
homelessness is a first for the gallery. Face to Face — Encountering
Homelessness opens Oct. 8 and will continue through Dec. 31, 2007. Premier
Gallery is located at 141 South 7th Street in Minneapolis. For more
information, visit
www.lssmn.org or
www.premiergallery.com.
