Art Exhibit in the Gallery &
Adult Class Sunday, March 9, 10:15
Homelessness is with us every single day in our community. In fact, in Minnesota, approximately 3,000 people have no place to call home on any given night. We, as members of this community and Bethlehem Lutheran Church can change this by becoming educated about the problem and by taking action.
A first-of-its-kind art exhibit of paintings depicting real images of homeless youth, adults and families in Minnesota is now on display in the Gallery. Artist, Kristie Bretzke conceived of the idea for the exhibit. In her paintings, Bretzke reveals the many different faces of homelessness, faces that know no specific age, gender or race. "I want people to remember the different and authentic faces. These are real problems, but more importantly, these are real people," she said.
The paintings will be on display at Bethlehem from March 1 - April 6. Kristie is generously donating the proceeds of the paintings' sales to Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota's programs for homeless youth and families. Thirteen of the paintings have been previously sold, the remaining 15 paintings are on display. (The painting entitled, "Don't Drink or Drug" has already been purchased and donated to Bethlehem, where it will become part of Bethlehem's permanent collection.)
On Sunday, March 9, 10:15 am in Langemo Lounge Cathy ten Broeke [1], the architect of Heading Home Hennepin: The Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness in Minneapolis and Hennepin County will speak on homelessness. Ms. ten Broeke led a 75 member commission in the planning and development of the plan and now, as Hennepin County Coordinator to End Homelessness, is directing the implementation of it. Cathy is truly the expert on this issue and she will help us to explore the faces, the facts, the causes and the solutions for homelessness in our community.
Kristie Bretzke will also be on hand to speak about her journey to awareness of the homelessness issue, and Hans Thomsen of Lutheran Social Service will share with you ways that you can be involved in remedying this problem.