History
Art From the Streets was born in 1991 when a handful of Austin artists
decided to reach out to Austin’s growing homeless population. What
began with homemade sandwiches soon grew to a room filled with paper, crayons,
markers, pencils, paints and pastels — and ultimately, a supportive,
friendly, safe, and fun place to create art.
The quality and sheer numbers of work created in the classes each year demands
an outlet. The first Art From the Streets Show and Sale of Art was held
in 1992 in response to the hundreds of art works hung on every available
inch of wall space in the meeting room where the classes were held. The
show exhibited pieces by 30 artists, attracted 400 visitors, and raised
$1,600 – all of which went to the artists who created the work.
Since the first show in 1992, more than 700 homeless people have taken part in the classes and displayed their works in the Art From the Streets annual shows. In doing so, they’ve earned more than $350,000 through sales of their art to the 20,000 Austinites who’ve attended. Apart from a nominal mounting fee, sales proceeds go to the artist who created the work.
The annual show and sale, traditionally held in early November, has become
something of an Austin tradition, and attracts a loyal audience of art lovers,
collectors, and people of social conscience.