Art From the Streets and Social Media Outreach

Awareness Promoted by Rostin Ventures, Inc.

Homeless Individuals Give Heart, Get Hope

For some homeless men and women in Austin, the shear act of daily survival is an accomplishment. For others, however, creating a beautiful piece of artwork in the midst of an otherwise dismal existence is more than an accomplishment – it’s a ray of hope.

Art from the Streets was borne in 1991 by Beverly Bajema and Heloise Gold, women with a heart for bringing an opportunity for homeless people to express themselves, learn, and create art in a safe, friendly setting. The Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH) agreed to provide, space for the art classes to meet, and supplies are donated by schools, colleges, companies and individuals. Without a large budget for marketing their cause through traditional media, Art From the Streets relies on companies like Rostin Ventures, Inc. to enthusiastically promote their cause through platforms such as Social Media Outreach.

What started merely as a positive atmosphere in which homeless individuals could build relationships and self-worth has rapidly grown into an opportunity for the artists to not only share their work with the public, but also to sell their work and enjoy the fruits of their labor. The 70 original pieces hung for the first show in 1991 have multiplied to several hundred pieces at Art From the Streets’ annual show in Austin – and the artists receive 95% of the profits. The money raised by Art From the Streets shows has enabled dozens of artists to buy food, clothing, and medical supplies; and many of them have rented apartments, purchased vehicles and opened bank accounts.

Julie Ross, President of Rostin Ventures, Inc. is a philanthropist for many charities that benefit the homeless, and recognizes the definite flair of Art From the Streets: “There are so many wonderful organizations who work hard to feed the homeless with actual food. Art from Streets feeds the homeless as well, only it’s the spirits that are fed instead of the bodies.  Yes, the money earned by the artists for their work is valuable to their physical needs, but the encouragement and lift to their self-esteem that they receive can carry them even further.”

The only experience that Art From the Streets requires for its participants is Life experience. Through their art created with pencils, pastels, or acrylic paint, the homeless present all styles from abstract to impressionist; and most fitting, the style referred to as “visionary” or “outsider” art. These styles are crafted by artists outside of a culture’s mainstream, which of course is where the homeless exist. Their emotions of joy, sadness, fear, and optimism are all in their souls, all on their paper.

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