Bridges to Art

Several artists from the Project HOME community will join the elite company of Rembrandt, Monet, and Picasso when they have their work on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Opening today at the Museum is the “Bridges Exhibit,” which features the artwork of seven Project HOME residents, staff, and volunteers.

This exhibit grows out of a partnership with Bridges: Accessible Programs Builds Partnerships, a collaboration between area organizations and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  It uses the visual arts to build a bridge that helps individuals who are overcoming adversity improve their quality of life. As part of the program, our artists went on multiple guided tours of the Museum’s collections and exhibitions, then created their own artwork in response to those connections.

Project HOME’s Art Program director Rachel Ehrgood talks about the importance of the collaboration: “Art is great.  It helps us to explore perspectives, connect to our feelings, and problem solve in a safe space. Opportunities like Bridges are thrilling because our participants/artists contextualize wok on display then create the next evolution of art.”

“I appreciated the different medium on display in the creative Africa exhibit and textile installation,” said Kevin Pierce, an artist and long-time Project HOME volunteer. “I was able to reflect on the artists’ compositions and use them as an inspiration in my work.”

The exhibit will run through Sunday, October 2.  It is open during regular museum hours.  Admission to the ground floor of the museum, including the Education Corridor, is free of charge. Wednesday evenings are “pay what you wish” from 5pm to 9pm. The museum is open Friday evenings with live jazz in the Great Stair Hall.

Here is a sneak preview of our artists’ work:

Takia Clark “Watch"

Julia Galetti “Red Pyramid”

Felisha Mitchell “Untitled”

Amber Larson “Untitled”

Kevin Pierce “Mask Pattern”

Barbra Turner “Untitled”

Orchadia Violet “Swimmers”