Red House Gallery art show to raise money for Homeward Bound

The cold of winter is particularly hard on one group of people in Buncombe County—the ones who have no home. 

However, there is an organization that is concerned about this issue every day of the year called Homeward Bound. The nonprofit’s mission is to end homelessness in our community by moving people into housing as a first step, then providing support services to help stabilize their lives so they can stay in housing and improve their quality of life.

Last year, Homeward Bound’s AHOPE Day Center provided roughly 26,000 showers, 80,000 cups of coffee, and 16,000 pairs of socks to more than 3,000 people experiencing homelessness.

Since 2006, the organization has moved more than 2000 people into homes with 89 percent never returning to homelessness.

In keeping with its vision to make the community a better place, SVFAL is partnering with Homeward Bound to raise funds to help place people in homes of their own. 

From May through June, an exhibit entitled, “Passages: A Journey Through Place and Space will be on display in the Red House Gallery. Twenty percent of all gallery sales will go to Homeward Bound. 

“We feel it’s important for us to support community-based organizations like Homeward Bound.  Their efforts with the homeless make a difference every day to those in need.  We’re proud to work with them to present this show and to donate a portion of the sales to them,” said Donna Davis, one of the artists in residence at The Red House and a co-curator of the show, along with Alison Curtin. 

The theme of the show was chosen to emphasize the journey people make from homelessness to a safe, secure place to live—a home to call their own. 

Artists are encouraged to consider all kinds of passages, including the journey made by those who are homeless. The meaning of home, safety and security, a key that represents access to a home and the journeys Homeward Bound program participants travel to achieve their goals can be the focus of the artwork. 

The public is invited to the opening reception for “Passages:  A Journey Through Place and Space” from 5 - 7 p.m. on Friday, May 10, at The Red House Studios and Gallery. Refreshments will be served. 

Wicked Weed is a sponsor and will showcase its beer at the opening.  Parker Legwear is also a sponsor and will supply socks for attendees to donate to Homeward Bound. 

The show remains on view Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., through Monday, July 8. 

For more information visit  svfalarts.org and homewardboundwnc.org/ or call SVFAL at 669-0351.