Art is a healing salve for the soul, and nowhere is this more wonderfully evident than with the Skid Row Photography Club. Their show at Downtown L.A.’s Artwalk last week was poignant and powerful–the images capturing the grim realities of life on the streets while being in themselves ethereal in their beauty. It is certainly due to the fact that the photographers themselves are Skid Row residents. This extraordinary club was created to provide Skid Row residents with a ‘healthy artistic outlet’ and to bring them new possibilities of self expression and self development and growth.” Skid row residents were given digital cameras and, after some basic instruction, were let loose to document their home–over 20,000 photos in all were taken.
The empowerment of creative expression simply cannot be overemphasized. And in this time of economic stress, it is ever so refreshing to focus on something optimistic and upbuilding. If ever ther was a cause worth supporting, this is it and support is dearly needed to keep the movement alive. Visit the site for information on how to donate your time and money, if possible, as well as to find out about upcoming shows.
The Kitty Packard Pictorial 