So I’ve been pretty hard at work. Working the day job mostly and then sneaking to the studio under the cover of darkness to paint in the North Side. After reflecting about a critique I had in school about a year ago I started making greeting cards… I’m not sure where that is going but it is fun to draw and paint tiny cute pictures. This weekend will be the mass cataloging of work old and new and the start of editing my portfolio of the last couple years. Keep an eye out for more in about a week or two.
The most important project to mention is the one most dear to my heart. As I have mentioned before I work for Community Human Services and gotten involved in some of the projects in our Homeless Assistance program. Erica Smith is the coordinator of a program called Operation Save a Life which makes weekly rounds on the North Side and Downtown Pittsburgh giving out food and clothing, and offering resources to those in our community that suffer from homelessness. I try to volunteer as much as possible in the effort. I was lucky to have the opportunities and experiences I’ve had in my short time – but I never had such a perspective on life until I starting walking with Erica and other volunteers.
After an article on the blog Pittsburgh Dish , Erica has received funding to create on a homeless newspaper she’s titled Word On The Street. Street newspapers can be found in most major cities in different states but hers will be the only one between New York and Ohio. Once I heard about this project I had to be a part of it. Within the first meeting there was a mission statement that is as follows: “Empowering people through employment who have been and are experiencing homelessness while providing a creative forum to educate the public concerning vital local issues.” We’ve had three meetings so far and with each one, things are starting to come together. Articles will reflect the different perspectives concerning issues of homelessness here in Pittsburgh. I’m working on a logo and an article concerning the rights of those living on the streets. There are sections such as politics, art/culture, and op-ed and contributions from people who have or are suffering from homelessness. The most important section though is the resource pages. There will be information for those needing assistance as well as opportunities for those looking to help in some way, (donations/volunteering.)
The biggest thing this paper needs now though is exposure. The newspaper is currently looking for people interested in advertising. Ad space has already started to sell but the more the better. The hope is that services that we are currently unaware of can be better publicized to those that need them most and revenue generated by advertising can sustain the paper. If anyone out there knows someone/ has a suggestion please let me know!
As far as rates go – they are very inexpensive – I have all the rates in a very nice little sheet to share but an example of one would be a Standard 5×3 in size ad is as follows: One issue – $20, 3 months – $25, 6 months – $50, 1 year – $100.
The goal is to get the paper out by the end of the summer!
So friends near and far – this is what I’m up to. I have never felt so good about a project – or my personal practice. Those of you that are closer to the ‘Burgh, keep an eye out for a newspaper from one of the vendors! It’s only a dollar – and as cheesy as it sounds each paper sold makes a difference. For those of you afar at least you are caught up! Keep me in touch – I send out this link to a lot of you and I want to know what’s going on! That’s enough exclamation points!!
