Art Materials Donations Boost Communities

Donations of art materials have benefitted several communities across the world by allowing people to express themselves.

Homeless people in Texas are being given the opportunity to paint twice a week as part of a social programme which allows those living on the streets to work on their drawing skills.

More than 30 people participate in Art from the Streets which meets in a downtown studio where all of the art materials and art supplies are donated by members of the public and charitable organisations.

Art from the Streets spokesperson Yvonne Baughman said: "When they are given the opportunity to create art, they are reminded about what's special in them. Each person brings their own energy, own ideas use the materials and creates something."

Howard Cook has been attending the fortnightly event for 15 years and explained that is it a great way to meet people in a social situation and most importantly improve at art.

"It's nice to sit down and look at everybody else and talk to everyone else while they do their art," he said.

The organisation hosts an annual art show where the artists have the chance to sell their work and keep 90 per cent of the profits which has had serious benefits for some of the participants.

Howard has sold enough paintings from the yearly Art from the Streets exhibition to be able afford an apartment for the time being.

Meanwhile, members of Monifieth Art Society made over £200 by selling donated art materials at the opening evening of their new session in Grange Primary School in Dundee.

The art materials were donated by the family of past society president Kay Inglis and the money raised will be put towards the foundation of an award for the best painting in the summer exhibition.

In other news, a board of trustees at a local library in America have donated $400 worth of art materials and art supplies to allow a group of high school artists to create their own pieces to adorn the institution.

RAW Art Works of Lynn, a non-profit youth arts organisation, created a series of artwork which attempted to depict the essence of the city.

Artists Ryan Karakoudas said: "We started by brainstorming ideas of positive images that could capture the essence of the city. Then we took photos of various people, landmarks and scenes around Lynn and then painted the images on canvas."

RAW Art Works was established in 1988 with the mission to encourage young people to engage with art.