In-Town Gallery recognizes February as the month of romance, love and giving as "Art to HART" gives the artists an opportunity to help provide materials for participants at the HART Gallery. In-Town Gallery artists are donating art supplies during the month to share with Hart Gallery.
A donation box will be set up for creative materials and a receptacle for cash contributions and gift cards as well. The public is invited to participate. The First Friday reception will be held Feb. 3 from 5-8 p.m. at 26A Frazier Ave. The public is invited to come celebrate the month of love, giving and sharing with the In-Town Artists.
HART Gallery is a 501 c3 not-for profit organization with the mission of offering homeless persons and other non-traditional artists an opportunity to create and sell their artwork for their benefit. Additionally they teach classes at other agencies around town which serve low-income seniors, at-risk inner-city youth and others who face both physical and mental challenges. Growth of the project extended to Memphis this past year where they opened another facility. Locally, they have expanded to include an art expression class which is focused on art as a healing process. The Community Kitchen is profiting from art classes to relieve job related stress.
Owner, Ellen Heavilon, says the ability to create does so much for the morale of people who feel beaten by life that they often gain enough confidence to move on to jobs and into their own homes. There are many examples, Ms. Heavilon says, of extreme gratitude and the discovery of their own sense of purpose.
For more information on the HART Gallery visit its website at hartgallerytn.com.
Suggested donations are acrylic paint in non-primary colors, acrylic paper, watercolor paper, sharpies, all colors, paint pens, glue, gesso, modge podge, canvases, all sizes, gel medium, matte and glossy varnish, Art Creation gift cards, Hobby Lobby gift cards, checks or cash.
The featured, front wall gallery area will exhibit In-Town Gallery artists sharing space with paintings from some HART Gallery painters. A variety of 2-D and 3-D offerings include a sophisticated wrap by Irene Catlin.
Donations to HART Gallery may be dropped off throughout the month of February. In-Town Gallery, at 26A Frazier Ave. on the North Shore, is open every day, year round, except for major holidays. Hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday and util 8 p.m. on First Fridays. Call 2267-9214, visit www.facebook.com/intowngallery.