Local artists and activists to discuss how creativity leads to social change at The Art of Ending Homelessness

Attendees to give back to neighbors in need as part of Father Joe’s Villages’ Good Neighbor Month

San Diego CA— On September 20, three artists will join Father Joe’s Villages at Media Arts Center San Diego’s Digital Gym Cinema in North Park to share a creative look at compassion. Before guests dig into popcorn for screenings of films focused on homelessness, artists will guide attendees through a gallery of their work and discuss how art inspires action to solve social issues – particularly San Diego’s homelessness crisis.
As an artist who struggles with homelessness himself, Allan Ostermann knows the connection between human struggle and creativity first-hand. He will display a collection of portraits and share how art offers healing and opportunity as he works with Father Joe’s Villages to get back on his feet.
Two acclaimed artists will join Ostermann to share their award-winning portrait series on individuals who are homeless. Neil Shigley’s striking “Invisible People” display captures the faces of people living on the streets of downtown San Diego, using large-scale portraits to bring expressions of vulnerability and strength out of the shadows. Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Steve Breen will speak about his “Street Art: Portraits of San Diego’s Homeless” series in the San Diego Union-Tribune, which sheds light on the stories of local people affected by homelessness.
“It can be so easy to see our homelessness crisis as a list of statistics, or tents we pass on our way to work,” says Breen. “But art awakens our humanity and reminds us that homelessness is about people whose stories are as full of potential as they are of struggle.”
Father Joe’s Villages President and CEO Deacon Jim Vargas will present a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Shine, a three-minute animated film that tells a story of hope intended to shift public perceptions of homelessness and inspire people to take action.
“We created Shine to shed light on the struggles thousands of our neighbors face every day,” says President and CEO of Father Joe’s Villages Deacon Jim Vargas. “By working with local integrated marketing agency i.d.e.a. and Golden Globe-nominated animation studio Reel FX, we created a film that shows the power of compassion and targeted support to end homelessness.”
After exploring the connection between art and social justice, attendees will view Shine and Time Out of Mind, the powerful story of a man who discovers friendship and redemption at a Manhattan intake center for the homeless.
The Art of Ending Homelessness is part of Father Joe’s Villages’ Good Neighbor Month – a month-long celebration of the power of giving and kindness to our neighbors in need. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Digital Gym Cinema, 2921 El Cajon Blvd. Tickets are available online for $11, with discounts available for students, seniors and Media Arts Center San Diego members.
To organize a Shine film viewing with your community group, please contact victoria.williams@neighbor.org. To view the film, click here. To make a donation and help people find the potential within, click here.