Homeless Artist Show at Mall of America

An exhibit of art by people who have experienced homelessness is housed in that monument to materialism, the Mall of America. The show will be there on the 4th floor only temporarily -appropriately- until Dec. 31.

“Homeless Awareness," the first juried exhibition of original artwork by homeless Minnesota artists—most self-taught-- was organized by The Outsider Art Center. The Center brings “disenfranchised and nontraditional artists to the mainstream so their artwork is valued and their voices are heard.” The exhibit, with the support of a dozen sponsors including the Mall itself, the Pioneer Press, and Project for Pride in Living founded by our own Joe Selvaggio, was curated by Channel 9 news anchor Robyne Robinson and Yuri Ara of the Outsider Art Center.

Among the ten artists are Robert Maplethorpe’s long-time model, a mother and grandmother of 12 and a former prostitute who began working while in high school. The artists represent just a few examples of the 21,000 homeless on the streets of Minnesota each night. Their materials are loose-leaf notebook paper, burlap bags, cardboard, and sticks found beneath a bridge. Subjects vary from detailed scenes of New Orleans, portraits of the famous and exquisite beadwork objects.

Pat Ryan Greene a mother of six, retired writer/editor and a member of St. Joan's almost since she and her family moved to Minneapolis in 1968. Pat can be reached at patgreene01@msn.com.

The Outsider Art Center and The Outsiders and Others Gallery are located at 1010 Park Ave. in Minneapolis. Information about the show as well as examples of other outsider art are available on their website—outsidersandothers.org. Contact Betty Beier through the Parish Office if you’d like to volunteer.