Home
Home is wherever you feel you belong. Best In Show Award: Finding The “Me” In Home by Vilma Ortiz-Dillon
Animals and people have been attracted to me my whole life. I have a great rapport with both. Treating people and animals as I would like to be treated is what is most important to me. Stable housing would allow me to have relationships with people and animals again. I guess I took that for granted. - Robert, age 57
I’m not a selfish person. It’s not always about me and I know that. My four children and grandson come first and always will. They are my world. Stable housing means that maybe they will look up to me again, and that I won’t be a burden on society anymore. - Kevin, age 59
I just want a place where I can lay my head down and sleep. - Elaine, age 63
These honest words are just a sampling of expressions from a few people who are part of a very special vulnerable community… those in need of housing and food security.
The pandemic has brought to light many underlying issues within our society. This is just one of those issues, but it is a very real and prominent one that exists right here in our community. We wondered:
“How can we help bring awareness and tangible help to one of these issues in a way that only we can… through the arts?”
And this is what we decided…
1 - Let’s create an exhibit that expresses the idea of HOME through the eyes of our Member Artists
2 - Let’s collaborate with the Beth-El Center, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides support services and advocacy to those experiencing homelessness and hunger within the Greater Milford community. And let’s shed light on the individuals and families that Beth-El serves.
Here are just two of the many works of art found in our Virtual Member Exhibit “HOME”
The winner of our Best In Show Award: Finding The “Me” In Home by Vilma Ortiz-Dillon (shown above) beautifully presents the idea of home being a feeling, a part of one’s personal journey through life, and acceptance that “home” resides in one’s heart no matter where one may find herself. The use of words embedded in the work help to tell her story, the symbolism of objects and use of multi-mediums create an image woven together like a quilt or picture book. The work stands alone as a testament to her personal and intimate memories while connecting the viewer with emotions and vulnerabilities we are all familiar with.
The winner of our Staff Pic Award: Covid Cuddle by Cathy Liontas illustrates that a warm hug, two hearts beating together, chests rising and falling with every breath can bring you “home” through simple togetherness.
There are many more expressions of HOME in The Home Gallery which is on view here on our website through March 18th. Don’t forget to vote for People’s Choice!
* A portion of art sales from this exhibit will be donated to Beth-El so that they can continue to fulfill their mission to extend dignity and respect to all individuals and families while connecting them to housing, food and services within their communities. The donations will be matched by an anonymous donor and go toward a “Diversion Program” that seeks to keep folks in their homes, securing housing stability for them. Our goal is to provide Beth-El with enough money to keep at least one family in their home this Winter.