Art Programs Flourish On Skid Row

Lillian & Student

This past week, I had the privilege of visiting with two powerful art programs on Skid Row in Los Angeles that are empowering the people from the neighborhood. The SRO Art Workshop and the Lamp Community Art Project have been working with homeless and low income folks for years, persisting and flourishing despite a lack of resources. The success of these programs is attributable to the people who have made them happen and who really care about the people they serve.

Lillian Calamari started her Art Workshop on her own time 8 years ago. She works for SRO Housing, a non-profit that provides housing for low income people. Lillian began her workshop in the lobby at the St. Vincent dePaul shelter where demand soon outpaced her supply. She move d the program to larger space at the James Woods Center and recently took up residence at a wonderful new studio provided by SRO Housing. Although she still runs the Art Workshop without pay, she receives some donations to purchase art supplies.

When I was there, several woman were working away on their creations. Lillian strolls from table to table, offering suggestions and encouragement to everyone. Many of the works are displayed on the wall and she is working to include them in local art shows and galleries. The artists and their work were featured in the critically acclaimed film Humble Beauty.

Lamp Community Art Studio

A few blocks away, the Lamp Community Art Project shines like a beacon of creativity in an otherwise bleak section of Skid Row.  Hayk Makhmuryan, the Director, is enthused about his program and the people it serves. The art studio is open 3 days a week for a few hours each afternoon. The small, narrow room is filled with art work, supplies and all kinds of painting paraphernalia. While I was there, three people were working on their paintings and were happy t o show them to me.

I spent some time talking with Emery who was creating a stylized portrait of Marilyn Monroe.  Emery was originally from Phoenix and ended up on Skid Row several years ago. Since then, he has lived in shelters  and dealing with his disability. He loves to paint and comes to the studio in his wheel chair whenever he can get there. Emery makes a few dollars selling his paintings, his images of Kobe Bryan and Obama are quite popular.

Emery Self Portrait

I am working with Lillian and Hayk to identify artists who would like to participate in the Hearts Of Fire Project’s new artist sponsor program. We will be matching artists with people who wish to personally support and encourage the artists. We are working on a web site that will profile each artist and allow people to link with them, meet them and get to know each other. This is exciting!