Empowering through Art

The Committee on Homelessness at the BSA continues its series on examining different strategies to provide resources and services to empower people out of homelessness. This month we look at how art provides a safe and encouraging space to foster the positive spirit and artistic expression of individuals experiencing homelessness as well as how it can provide community and financial support. Our program features Liz Powers from ArtLifting and Wendy Prellwitz AIA from Prellwitz/Chilinski Architects to share their experiences and ideas on the role designers might play in supporting these artistic efforts. We will also showcase spoken word and music videos created by guests of Y2Y Harvard Square. Input, feedback, and conversation encouraged. Don't miss this month's remarkable and inspiring event. Pizza will be served!

Liz Powers is the co-founder and Chief Happiness Spreader at ArtLifting, a business that empowers artists impacted by homelessness and disabilities. She has worked with homeless individuals for the last decade. Liz is a serial social entrepreneur who has received multiple grants and awards for her work. She was awarded the "Unsung Heroine Award" in the Massachusetts State House and Forbes “30 Under 30.” Liz has an AB, cum laude, from Harvard College and MSc from the University of Edinburgh. Her impact has been featured on the TODAY Show, New York Times, CBS, ABC, and the Washington Post.

Wendy Prellwitz is co-founder of Prellwitz/Chilinski Architects and has also been a practicing artist for over 20 years. She attended the Rhode Island School of Design and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. She was awarded a Fellowship from the Ballinglen Arts Foundation in 1998, and continuing fellowships from 2000 to 2014 to live and paint in Ireland. She also received a Grant-in-Aid from the St. Botolph St. Foundation in 2002 which funded a painting trip to Rome. She teaches at the Maud Morgan Visual Arts Center in Cambridge.

^{Image: ArtLifting}

This event is sponsored by the Committee on Homelessness. Visit architects.org/committees/committee-homelessness to learn more.