Home show to highlight Homeless Alliance

The OKC Home + Outdoor Living Show will highlight the Homeless Alliance and its Fresh stART program and artists.

Visitors to the show March 24-26 at State Fair Park will be able to purchase artwork created by artists in the program while learning more about their story and how the organization is helping to end homelessness in Oklahoma City.

For many artists in Fresh stART, painting, drawing and sculpting are more than hobbies. The program can enable people experiencing homelessness to express themselves creatively, manage emotional issues and develop skills transferable to employment.

And at events like the OKC Home + Outdoor Living Show, artists have an opportunity to sell their work and earn an income. Show guests also will have the opportunity to visit with several artists about their work.

“I love watching artists develop,” said Kinsey Crocker, director of communication for the Homeless Alliance.

“The Fresh stART program provides talented people with access to materials they normally wouldn’t have.

“And for a person to see the work they created on display in a public venue like the home show, and to be able to potentially sell their work, can really help boost a person’s confidence. Show attendees will have an opportunity to purchase a meaningful, one-of-a-kind piece of art that supports someone who is working to change their life.”

The Homeless Alliance booth also will include the Curbside Chronicle program, a magazine that provides a voice and employment opportunities to people who are homeless. The magazines, as well as wrapping paper designed by local artists, will be sold for the “Wrap Up Homelessness” campaign.

Visitors to the booth will learn about donation needs, including baskets of household items that the Homeless Alliance provides to people who are moving into housing.

In addition to Fresh stART, the Homeless Alliance operates several programs to house families with children, is working on an initiative to end veteran and chronic homelessness in Oklahoma City and operates the Westtown Homeless Resource Campus, which includes a day shelter.

The day shelter serves an average of 300 people each day and provides breakfast and lunch, showers, phones, computers, access to services such as health care and classes, including the Fresh stART art studio.

Admission to the OKC Home + Outdoor Living Show is $9 for adults; children under 12 get in free.

Buy tickets online at www.home showokc.com using the promo code HOME and save $3. In addition, the show will donate $2 to the Homeless Alliance.

Online purchasers also have the opportunity to donate directly to the organization.

Show hours are 12 to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.